National recognition for Monash Partners: One of Australia's first Academic Health Research and Translation Centres

Prof Christina Mitchell

Monash Partners is officially recognised as one only four Advanced Health Research and Translation Centres (AHRTCs) in Australia, acknowledging the collaboration’s capability to improve health outcomes through high impact translational research.

In an announcement made by the Minister for Health, the Hon Sussan Ley MP and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) on Saturday, the Monash Partners Academic Health Science Centre was recognised as an international leader in linking clinical practice, research translation and education.

An innovative collaboration established in 2013, Monash Partners’ members include Monash University, Monash Health, Alfred Health, Cabrini Health, Epworth Healthcare, Baker IDI, Burnet Institute and MIMR-PHI Institute.

“This recognition will significantly enhance our capabilities as a collaborative clinical and research leader and innovator,” said Monash Partners’ Chair and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Monash University, Professor Christina Mitchell.


“It reinforces our commitment to deliver consistent, high-quality health care across our community, supported by cutting-edge research and enabling the education of a world-class clinical workforce.”

Created to deliver improved health outcomes to benefit the 2.8 million people living in Melbourne’s south and south east, Monash Partners will build on similar models of highly successful Academic Health Science Centres (AHSC) developed in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States.

“Monash Partners will link services across the member organisations so new and different service models can be developed for the people of southern and eastern Melbourne,” said Monash Health Chief Executive Ms Shelly Park.

Alfred Health Chief Executive, A/Prof Andrew Way said the NHMRC announcement builds on the Victorian Government’s 2013 endorsement of Monash Partners.

“NHMRC recognition acknowledges the hard work undertaken by our member organisations over several years, and strengthens our commitment to continued collaboration and innovation in improving health outcomes for our community,” A/Prof Way said.

By working across the traditional boundaries of education, health and scientific research, these
centres have enabled the discovery of many innovative health improvements as well as providing
care in new ways, through new knowledge exchange, technologies and protocols.

“International experience shows that AHSCs have successfully built collaborations, sped up the
translation of research findings into clinical practice and removed unnecessary barriers which have
often limited the ability of researchers and clinicians to work across multiple sites,” added Ms Park.

As a growing collaboration, Monash Partners plans to engage with other health services and primary
health networks to maximise the quality of care delivered not only to Victorians but to all
Australians.

“The stronger the partnership between our member organisations, the more efficient and effective
we will become at tackling clinical problems and creating solutions that lead to better patient
outcomes,” A/Prof Way said.