Seven new medical research project grants announced
Dr Alex Frain, Obstetrician, presents her research project on gestational diabetes and interventions for pregnant women in the Northern region.
Yesterday with the support of our Board Chair, Dr John Batten, and Prof Nicholas Shackel, Director of Research, we gladly announced grant funding support of seven medial research projects. Over $250,000 funded by community supporters will see advancements in local participation across numerous disease prevention research efforts. This year’s investments in projects see dedicated clinical insights reaching across expansive disciplines, from maternal health, podiatry, physiotherapy, radiology, gastroenterology to neurology.
As a health advocacy charity, we are thrilled to announce grant funding to support the expansion of a Tasmanian maternity care study to enhance representative participation across North and North-West Tasmania.
Dr Jenn Ayton attracted interest from health providers as her maternity care study enters its second phase with dedicated funding for North and North-West participation.
For Chief Investigator, Dr Jenn Ayton, her maternity care study objective is to develop and implement an evidence-based Respectful Maternity Care framework to inform clinical practice and policies.
During Phase One of the study, 176 stories were gathered across Tasmania with 53 of those stories from the Northern region and 60 stories from the North-West. The second phase of the study will be focused on obtaining stories from women living rurally, and ensuring the study includes representation from women across a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds, is featuring varied relationship status and inclusive of women who have suffered miscarriage and stillbirth.
“We are striving to ensure this study is representative of all women’s experiences across all facets of Tasmanian maternal health care services across antenatal, birth and postpartum care,” Dr Ayton said.
Dr Ayton is a qualified Midwife with a Philosophy Doctorate (PhD) in maternal reproductive care and is Senior Lecturer in Public Health at University of Tasmania at the School of Medicine.
“The experiences of women in the North of Tasmania is very different to the south for a range of reasons. We can’t deliver appropriate, affordable and supported care if we don’t listen to women. This study is part of that change and giving an example to midwives in the area that we can work together to do this research. Every point of the maternal health care system is an opportunity to provide preventative care,” Dr Ayton said.
Our Foundation has funded $1.1 million across medical research, health promotion initiatives and hospital equipment in 2024. In 2025, the Foundation is set to contribute a further $1.2 million toward North and North-West Tasmania health initiatives focused on improving health outcomes for locals.
“We are committed to continuing our health promotion mission, raising the profile of disease prevention in Northern Tasmania. With community support, the North and North-West will continue to be a growing hub for medical professionals to practice medical research. We are thrilled to be starting 2025 with these new research projects, investing in translational research for local Tasmanians and securing medical talent focusing their efforts and skills our region,” CEO, Vanessa Cahoon, said.