 |  | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE Tackling cancer care in a COVID-impacted landscape |
The current surge in COVID cases in Australia – our biggest yet – has drawn out many and varied emotions community-wide. Among them are frustration, anxiety, resilience, courage, and disappointingly, indifference. While fierce debates over mask mandates and flexible working arrangements dominate the media, the health system must forge on.
Back in March 2020, we established the Victorian COVID-19 Cancer Network in collaboration with Monash Partners Comprehensive Cancer Consortium. Almost two and a half years on, the Taskforce is still meeting regularly and remains resolutely solutions-focused in how to best support our patients and our workforce. This month, in the midst of this surge, we are focused on three main things... | | |
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Latest News |  |
 | New Cancer Research Advisory Committee Chair appointed Dr Dishan Herath has been appointed the new Chair of the VCCC Alliance Cancer Research Advisory Committee. Dr Herath's prestigious track record of innovation in cancer leadership, breadth of expertise, and commitment to the alliance were considered ideal for the leadership position.
“We are thrilled to have Dish at the helm in such a prominent strategic position for the VCCC Alliance,” Professor Grant McArthur said. | | |
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 | Passing the education and training baton The VCCC Alliance Board is delighted to announce that Associate Professor David Kok has been appointed as the new Chair of the VCCC Alliance Cancer Education and Training Advisory Committee (CETAC).
Professor Grant McArthur, Executive Director of the VCCC Alliance, said Associate Professor Kok’s professional achievements and deep passion for education make him an exceptional appointee. | | |
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 | Managing consumer transition from committees: a how-to guide The role of consumers in healthcare and medical research has grown substantially in recent years, leading to formalised consumer roles on committees, steering groups and advisory groups.
How a consumer transitions away from committee duties has significant implications for both organisation and consumer, so how do we as a sector ensure this transition process is as smooth as possible for all involved? | | |
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 | Explainer: What is a cancer consumer? Research has shown that involving consumers in medical research reaps significant benefits, by bringing lived experiences, improving relevance for the community, providing a patient perspective and assisting with grant applications by ensuring clear language. So, what exactly is a consumer in the cancer context? | | |
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Congratulations...
Recognising outstanding achievements and contributions from across the VCCC Alliance | |
 | Angela Nolan Thanks to Angela Nolan, Director, for her time on the VCCC Alliance Board and substantial contribution to our organisation. Angela has been a very effective steward in aligning the St Vincent's Hospital strategy with our own. She has been a major contributor to our work and we wish her all the best in her new role as CEO of Mercy Health. |
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 | Professor Linda Mileshkin Congratulations to Professor Linda Mileshkin, who has been appointed to the position of Medical Director, Medical Oncology at Peter Mac. From 2018 to 2021, Professor Mileshkin was the VCCC Alliance Research and Education Lead for Gynaecological Cancer. |
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 | Professor Prue Francis Congratulations to Professor Prue Francis, who has been awarded the Breast Cancer Trials Gold Medal. This award recognises Professor Francis’s outstanding efforts and achievements in breast cancer clinical trials research. |
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Upcoming Events | |
4 AUG | VCCC Alliance Biostatistics Workshop Learn how to interpret the reporting of statistical results in clinical studies
Book now › |
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8 AUG | Monday Lunch Livestream - Peter Mac's Men's Shed Tackling men's health from every angle
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9 AUG | Presenting Online Workshop A Thinkwell Workshop designed to hone your communication
Book now › |
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11 AUG | Engaging consumers in nurse-led practice change Learn how to actively include consumers to influence and evaluate clinical practice change
Book now › |
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15 AUG | Monday Lunch Livestream with Alexandra Rivalland and Laura BruntCaring for the Carer of haematology patients following transition to outpatient care
Book now › |
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19 AUG | Consumers as active partners in research: workshop for researchers Two interactive, online short workshops to build your skills and confidence with consumers
Book now › |
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26 AUG | VCCC Alliance Precision Oncology ForumCirculating tumour DNA to guide precision medicine in solid malignancies
Book now › |
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9 SEP | 5th VCCC Alliance Postdoctoral Symposium: Advances in Cancer Research One-day virtual event showcasing the latest in basic, translational and clinical cancer research
Book now › |
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Education & Training | |
 | Consumers as active partners in research How to understand the real problem to help drive your research
Increasingly funding bodies are making consumer engagement conditional to funding. Engaging with consumers early and often is one of the best ways to ensure your research is supported and relevant and establishing a rapport with ‘end-users’ is vital to successful collaborations.
You're invited to join this two-part interactive, online workshop series to build your skills and confidence to implement consumer and community involvement in your research. Facilitated by Anne McKenzie AM, internationally-regarded consumer advocate and engagement consultant.
Workshop dates: Friday 19 August, Friday 2 September 2022. | | |
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 | Inaugural Prof Tony Burgess Medal Address: Register now This year's Postdoctoral Symposium will officially open with a prestigious new plenary session, the Professor Tony Burgess Medal Address, to be held on the eve of the symposium and broadcast live from the VCCC building.
This plenary address will showcase the inaugural medallist's innovative program of cancer-focused research, highlighting collaboration as a key priority.
The following day's Postdoctoral Symposium will showcase the latest developments in basic, translational, and clinical cancer research, and provide an excellent forum for postdoctoral researchers to share data, discover new fields of research, and forge connections with both like-minded and unexpected future collaborators.
Prof Tony Burgess Medal Address: 6pm, Thursday 8 September 2022
Postdoctoral Symposium: 8am, Friday 9 September 2022 | | |
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 | Business Systems Lead Work on IT Projects which will enhance the capability of our important cancer programs, utilise your Project Management skills and work with a wide range of passionate health and education stakeholders. |
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 | RFQ: Development of a Cancer Equity Framework There is increasing recognition that to eliminate health disparities between communities, more targeted and strategic work needs to be done. We are calling for Expressions of Interest to find an external provider to scope and develop a Cancer Equity Framework. |
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Spotlight On... | |
Friday 26 August, 9.00am–2.30pm
Pancreatic Cancer 2022 Summit What does current data tell us about pancreatic cancer care?
The Victorian Pancreatic Cancer 2022 Summit is a tumour-specific forum for health professionals to identify gaps and improvements needed in cancer care. Clinicians will have the opportunity to review and discuss statewide data trends in pancreatic cancer care. Discussion topics include: - Progress and initiatives since previous pancreatic summit
- Unwarranted variations in pancreatic cancer care and how to improve outcomes for patients
Lived experience of pancreatic cancer patients |
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2023 Clinical Fellowships with Breast Cancer Trials Breast Cancer Trials is offering up to six Clinical Fellowships to contribute to the scientific and clinical conduct of BCT research programs. These positions will provide an exciting opportunity for an early career researcher to be funded in a part-time capacity for a one-year term. The Fellowships will commence in January 2023.
For a confidential conversation, contact Professor Bruce Mann, Director of Research. |
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CEO, Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is recruiting a new CEO to take the reins from Professor Matthias Ernst, who will remain at the Institute to devote his energy to his research program.
As CEO of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, you will be responsible for the development, communication, and implementation of the strategic goals, vision and mission, and much more. |
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July Snapshot | |
 | 13 Education and training events |
|  | 723 Education and training event attendees |
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