Grampians Health PhD scholars receive funding support to pursue research
Two of Grampians Health’s PhD scholars, Michael Pang and Cara Hill, have successfully received scholarships from the Western Alliance’s Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Scholarship program to pursue their research that addresses the unique healthcare challenges faced by rural and regional communities.
The Western Alliance Higher Degree by Research (HDR) Scholarship program is an initiative aimed at fostering research excellence and innovation in the healthcare sector. The program, supported by Western Alliance, a collaborative network of health services, universities, and research organisations in western Victoria, provides financial assistance and resources to exceptional individuals seeking to undertake PhD research in areas of critical importance to the region’s healthcare landscape.
“Grampians Health is committed to supporting the professional growth and development of our staff, and is dedicated to advancing healthcare practices in rural and regional areas,” said Matthew Hadfield, Chief Medical Officer, Grampians Health.
“We are proud to support Cara Hill and Michael Pang on their academic journeys and look forward to the valuable contributions they will make to their respective fields of study.”
Michael, a Senior Clinician Physiotherapist at Grampians Health, will be completing his PhD from Federation University. With a background in lecturing and extensive experience in public health services, Michael’s clinical work and teaching has centred around ways to empower individuals affected by chronic respiratory diseases. Going forward, his research will focus on the effects of ongoing learning on allied health workforce engagement and career fulfillment in regional and rural Victoria.
“The highlights of my career all stem from moments where both the common assumptions and my own expectations have been challenged and shown to be incorrect. This includes facilitating opportunities with patients who have poor prognoses to defy the odds, students who have faced difficulty relating to learning reaching epiphany moments in their studies, and supporting junior staff who go against the grain to provide new and exciting opportunities for our community,” said Michael.
He looks forward to contributing to the expansion of knowledge and understanding in his field through his PhD research.
Cara, a Speech Pathologist and research assistant, has opted to undertake her PhD program at Deakin University and her research will focus on helping those living with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) in care communities.
Through her studies, she aims to research and implement interventions to enhance the mealtime-related quality of life for individuals with dysphagia in rural and regional care communities in western Victoria.
Cara’s PhD program will be based at Grampians Health and will complement the work she will be leading as part of her Western Alliance Rapid Applied Research Translation Grant.
