Monday, 18 April 2011

A Chair of Musculoskeletal Medicine is to be established at The University of Western Australia under an agreement involving UWA, Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA and the North Metropolitan Area Health Service.

Under a joint funding agreement, a Winthrop Professor of Musculoskeletal Medicine would be based at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

The announcement was made today (18 April) at a signing function at UWA.

"The person we seek will be a strong clinical professional, have excellent research interests and will have led postgraduate studies in the field," said UWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Alan Robson.

Bone and joint diseases such as arthritis and osteoporosis have a crippling effect on Australians - and the economy. One in five Australians - nearly four million people - suffers from arthritis, and the total cost of arthritis to Australia is around $23.9 billion per annum.

The Executive Director of Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA, Ric Forlano, said the new Chair is a vital step in developing the support needed for the rapidly growing number of ageing people affected by such diseases.

"We believe the new professor will become vital to the training of many new doctors who will specialise in the field," Mr Forlano said.  "New, cutting-edge research undertaken at the university may well provide answers for better treatments and even a cure with the advent of stem cell technology.

"For all, the new position means a greater focus on research, on training of GPs and having a spokesperson able to help raise awareness and speak on behalf of sufferers."

He said Arthritis & Osteoporosis WA would conduct a special fundraising appeal to help raise money for its contribution to the salary and research funds for the new appointee and his or her team.

The Chief Executive of the North Metropolitan Area Health Service, Dr David Russell-Weisz, said the NMAHS was delighted to be involved in establishing the new Chair.

"As well as undertaking the UWA role, the successful appointee will conduct clinical sessions at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital delivering clinical care to patients with bone and joint diseases," he said.

The position will be advertised worldwide in 2011, with the appointment due to made in 2012.

Media references

Lee Saunders, Arthritis WA (incorporating Osteoporosis WA)  (+61 8)  9388 4406
Joanne Large (NMAHS)  (+61 8)  9346 7300
Janine MacDonald (UWA Public Affairs)  (+61 8)  6488 5563  /  (+61 4) 32 637 716

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