New chair of palliative medicine appointed in Victoria

Professor Jennifer Philip.
Professor Jennifer Philip.

Following an international search, local expert Professor Jennifer Philip has been appointed to the prestigious position of Chair of Palliative Medicine.

The position was created by the University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne as part of their commitment to the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre’s (VCCC) Leaders in Cancer strategy*.

St Vincent’s Hospital Palliative Medicine Deputy Director Jennifer Philip has extensive international credentials in academic and clinical research in palliative care, with a focus on clinical trials and evidence-based supportive care.

As Chair of Palliative Medicine, Professor Philip will work to improve patient access to clinical research studies, build research capability and ensure that all care provided to people with advanced disease is informed by evidence and delivered by people who are well-trained, supported, compassionate and passionate about what they do.

Professor Phillip said it was an honour to accept the prestigious appointment.

“This is still a relatively new area of clinical care. There is enormous scope for research and training, and to forge new ideas and directions in palliative care research. More broadly, we want to spark conversations about how we live fully and die well,” she said.

VCCC Chair Linda Kristjanson said the new position will make a real difference.

“This new Chair of Palliative Medicine is founded on an overarching goal to ensure people in Victoria have access to the health care they deserve and need in the face of advanced and serious illness," Professor Kristjanson said.

"Professor Philip is committed to facilitating health care that is equitable; not dependent upon chance; informed by the best evidence and delivered with compassion and generosity.

“As part of the VCCC’s Leaders in Cancer strategy to attract and retain outstanding academic leadership in Melbourne, we are delighted to have appointed an outstanding local candidate to this role and look forward to significant advances under Professor Philip’s leadership.”

Notes:
The position is effective immediately. The Chair of Palliative Medicine reports to the University of Melbourne Eccles Chair of Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital for all academic activities, and will work collaboratively with the Centre for Palliative Care at St Vincent’s Hospital. The Chair will also hold sessions at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital and contribute across the VCCC partners.

About the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre
Founded in the holistic principles of the internationally-recognised Comprehensive Cancer Centre model, the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre is a unique and powerful alliance of 10 leading research and clinical institutions committed to working together to integrate and accelerate cancer research, treatments, preventions and care.

The VCCC’s multi-site, multi-disciplinary model brings together the complementary strengths and specialisations of Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne Health (including The Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, The Royal Women’s Hospital, The Royal Children’s Hospital, Western Health, St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (including St Vincent's Institute), Austin Health (including the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and Austin LifeSciences) and Murdoch Childrens Research Institute.

*VCCC Leaders in Cancer strategy
The Leaders in Cancer Strategy Program aims to recruit and retain outstanding research leaders to the VCCC cancer research program. This strategy will help leverage the demonstrated research excellence of these individuals to attract new research funding to VCCC members.

Professorial Chairs
Under the Leaders in Cancer strategy, eight Professorial Chairs in cancer have been appointed in the areas of cancer medicine, medical genomics, primary care cancer research, leukaemia research, melanoma and skin cancers, and cancer nursing – translational research, and now palliative medicine, and recruitment for a further five professorial roles is underway. Within the program, seven new research fellowships have also been created to attract the next generation of cancer researchers.