Our 2026 Grant Round Recipients
Research
Supporting researchers within their field:
- Yahya Shehabi, Adult Intensive Care unit – Intranasal insulin vs usual care for the prevention of delirium in critically ill patients; A multicentre randomised controlled pilot trial.
- Thomas Warburton, Vascular Surgery- Surveil Trial – Duplex Ultrasound Surveillance after Endovascular Therapy for Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Multicentre Randomised Controlled Trial.
- Christian Zentner, Neurology – Validation of wearable seizure detection device.
- Ramon Varcoe, Vascular Surgery-Development and Validation of Patient-Specific Haemodynamic Biomarkers for Stroke Prediction in Carotid Disease Using POWH Cohort Data.
- Peiyuan Li, Emergency / Clinical Toxicology – Nitrous oxide toxicity prospective study: biomarkers.
- Simon Eggleton, Cardiology – Epidemiology of Acute Aortic Dissection in South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) focusing on its misdiagnosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
- Elan Novis, General Surgery – CDI-DX001 PET/CT Imaging of Tumour Cell Death to Assess Treatment Response in Extremity and Retroperitoneal Sarcoma.
- Rathi Naduvathery, Renal Supportive Care -Kidney Care – Improving Detection and Management ofChronic Kidney disease -Associated Pruritus in Haemodialysis Patients using Structured Symptom Assessment and Kidney Supportive Care Pathways.
- Lorna Laide, Physiotherapy Department – Virtual Reality Research in Acute Aged Care.
- Arunima Jain, Nephrology – Biomarkers of kidney function and damage up to five years post birth.
- Catherine Downs, Anaesthesia – ROTEM guided management of critical bleeding on Randwick campus.
Innovation
Supporting developments, simple or complex, that lead to improvements in health outcomes and patient experience:
Jayne McGreal, Diabetes & Endocrine – Shining a Light on Healing: An Innovative Approach to Improving Outcomes for People with Diabetic Foot Wounds.
Emma Southwell, Physiotherapy – Balance Rehabilitation Program for the Outpatient Spinal Cord Injury Service.
Anthony Sammel, Rheumatology – Establishing a handheld capillaroscopy service at POWH to diagnose patients with connective tissue and autoimmune lung disease.
Leanne Crnek, Haematology – POWH Subcutaneous Immunoglobulin (SCIg) Program.
Selena Consandine, Social Work – Compassionate End-of-Life Support Resources for Patients and Families at POWH.
Margaret Holyday, Nutrition & Dietetics – Culturally Inclusive Menu Resources: bridging language gaps in hospital nutrition care.
Lauren Hancox, Nutrition & Dietetics – Innovating Nutrition Care through Remote Patient Monitoring at POWH.
Daniel Treacy, Physiotherapy – Integrated Physiotherapy Virtual Care and Remote Monitoring Project.
Ronald Davis, Social Work – Patient Assistance Fund.
Education
Supporting staff education initiatives and conferences:
Sachin Shetty, Spinal Injuries unit – Sound HEAL Phase 2: Developing Visual Ultrasound Screening Tool and Patient Education Program for Electrical Stimulation in Pressure Wound Care.
Christina So, Intensive Care Unit – Better Imaging, Better Care: Educational Funding for Focused Bedside Cardiac Echocardiography in the ICU.
Peter Beshara, Physiotherapy – Building Respiratory Physiotherapy Capability in Dysfunctional Breathing, Persistent Breathlessness and Long COVID Through BradCliff Method® Practitioner Certification.
Stephanie Smith, Cardiology – Attendance at Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand Annual Scientific Meeting 2026.
Rachel Walker, Speech Pathology – Funding for attendance and presentation at the International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies (IFHNOS), Brisbane.
Sascha Spencer – Eyeballs Made Easy.
Ian Fong, Pharmacy- Upskilling a Rotational Workforce: Using an Engaging Educational Platform to Enhance Medication Management.
Nisha Aravind, Physiotherapy – Funding to support attendance and dissemination of findings from the Phase I study, titled Evaluation of a Strategy for Implementation of Exercises Using Devices Within Inpatient Rehabilitation: Phase I of a Feasibility Hybrid Type II Implementation-Effectiveness Randomised Controlled Trial.
Lisa Graaf, Surgery – A road to better Stoma acceptance.
Alyssa Worland, Community Assessment Unit – Understanding the OT Role in Pain Management.
Rachelle Robinson, Speech Pathology – Funding request to attend and present at the 2026 International Federation of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies (IFHNOS) 8th World Congress in Brisbane.
Wellbeing
Supporting positive physical and emotional outcomes for staff and patients:
Katrina Bonello, SES POW SCS Volunteers 150553 – POWH Volunteer Wellbeing, Recognition and Engagement Program.
Karren Maurer, Nursing – Improving the communication experience for vulnerable patients in the ED.
- Ryan Taylor, Physiotherapy – Prince of Wales First Nations Yarning Tea.
Mary Mulcahy, Nursing Education Research and Workforce – Code Lavender.
Antonia Ottavio, Mental Health – Making a difference, Maintaining Mental Health.
Czanthel Linwood, Emergency Department – ‘Benny Bags’- Male crisis bags.
Dasha Riley, ED ASET (Aged Care Services in Emergency Department) – Baby Doll Therapy for Older Patients with Cognitive Impairment.
Emilee Yu, Aged Care – Care Through Engagement.
Ross Black, Occupational Therapy – Restoring Mobility and Independence After Lower Limb Amputation – A ‘Wheel Power’ Initiative.
Cindy Oxley, Haematology & Oncology ward – Keeping family connection.
Peter Thompson, Speech Pathology – Rehabilitation Coffee Club.
Floribeth Lapitgo, Nursing – Waiting Well in Eye Clinic | Building on Thrive Together MDT Wellbeing to Support Patient Wellbeing During Ophthalmology Visits.
Melissa Silva – Nurse Education Workforce and Research Unit – Wellbeing, Reflection and Recognition Program for Transition Nurses.
Joshua Lowinger, Ophthalmology – Implementation and Evaluation of Multidisciplinary Team
Integration and Wellbeing Initiatives
in the Prince of Wales Hospital Eye Clinic.Erin McLean, Nutrition and Dietetics – Worth the Weight.
- Alexandria Cung, Resident Medical Officers’ Association – JMO Wellbeing Week 2026.
Monica Tang, Medical Oncology – Visual Arts for Wellbeing: Guided Art Sessions for Creative Expression.