November, or more importantly ‘Movember’ is here, providing the perfect excuse to grow a mo, or support a ‘mo bros’ (men with a moustache), and start thinking about men’s health.

To date, more than four million moustaches have been grown worldwide in an effort to spark conversation and raise vital founds for men’s health programs. And to show support, throughout the month of Movember the Macquarie University Hospital (MUH) will match staff and doctor donations dollar for dollar, up to an overall contribution from the hospital of $1500.

This year this hospital will support Movember in two ways and all staff are welcome to get involved.

1. The 24 hour treadmill relay
From 4pm on Tuesday 24 November, staff can take part in a 24 hour treadmill relay in the hospital foyer.

To take part

• Email your interest using the subject line ‘MOVEMBER’ to events@muh.org.au along with your name and contact details. The organising team will be in touch.
• Once you’ve received confirmation, register on the MUH Movember site so people can sponsor you.

2. Grow a mo
Like always, mo bros can encourage their friends, families and colleagues to  sponsor them in their efforts to grow moustaches throughout the month of November. All you need to do is register on the Movember site then follow the five rules of Movember below.

The close shave close: Barber Shop BBQ
At 12.30pm on Friday 27 November, MUH will host a barbecue outside Harley’s Café where mo bros will shave off their month’s worth of work. All staff are welcome to attend . $5 donation.

“Our vision is to improve lives,” says Natalie Sequeira, Director, Academic Health Strategy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. “Our Centre builds on the success of integrated approaches to patient care, discovery and continuous learning that are already in place overseas.”

MUHSC is built on the belief that the best patient care is only possible in environments where the latest research discoveries are applied in treatment, to deliver real impact where it matters most.

“The Centre provides a platform where health professionals are teachers and learners simultaneously, to inspire others to innovate for better patient outcomes,” says Natalie.

In the past year, the Centre has been established and made considerable progress. The Australian Institute of Health Innovation (AIHI) was welcomed to the University, and the newly created Macquarie University Clinical Associates (MUCA) is gearing up to drive the integration between the Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences to provide innovative mechanisms for the employment of, and engagement with, clinicians.

“We have recently published our strategic plan, and in addition to the AIHI and the MUCA, we are putting in place a clinical leadership structure for the Centre to drive integration where it will have the most impact,” says Natalie.

Staff are welcome to view the strategic plan and learn how the Centre plans to drive health innovation at Macquarie.

Next year, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences will launch its first undergraduate degree program – the Bachelor of Clinical Science. The team is also in the early planning stages of innovative postgraduate programs, including Master of Public Health.

“We’re looking forward to sharing our current milestones and plans for the future with the community at the all-staff exhibition,” says Natalie. “Staff will be able to interact with every stage of our health translational research pathway – from the laboratory bench, to the patient bedside, to the outpatient clinic. They will see how we impact the broader community and improve lives around the world. Basic health checks will also be provided, courtesy of the Hospital and the Department of Health Professions.”

Event details
When: Thursday September 24
Time: 8.30am – 12pm
Where: Macquarie Theatre foyer

Discover more about the Centre below.

When it comes to the fight against Motor Neurone Disease (MND), Macquarie means business. Our MND research centre is the largest in Australia, with more than 30 researchers working to find a treatment and stop the progression of the disease.

While MND presently remains unconquered, several encouraging breakthroughs have recently been made and Macquarie needs your help to continue these exciting developments.

The annual MND Gala event is the Centre’s main fundraiser for the year. In 2014, the event raised more than $300,000 to support its research. All members of the Macquarie and wider community are warmly invited to join the fight in 2015, with all funds raised going directly to our MND research.

As well as the Centre, Macquarie is also home to the country’s largest MND clinic. Headed by Professor Dominic Rowe, the clinic provides a range of clinicians and specialists to assist with the management and treatment of MND. This collective MND service at Macquarie manages the care of approximately 10 per cent of all MND patients in Australia.

MND is an unpredictable and wretched disease explains Professor Dominic Rowe. “While 10% of patients have MND due to inheriting a faulty gene, 90% of patients have sporadic MND, with no known cause.”

Professor Rowe says the gaps in the knowledge of MND can only be addressed by research.

“It is only with research that we will understand what the elements that cause MND are, how it progresses, and ultimately lead to therapies that slow and stop the disease.”

Gala event details
When: Tuesday 16 June
Time: From 6.30pm
Where: Sofitel Sydney
Tickets: $150 available online (closing soon)

If you can’t attend the dinner, but would like to support our MND research with a monetary or in kind donation, view the MND Gala webpage.

Last month Lieutenant Spearing had travelled across the world to Macquarie’s osseointegration clinic for groundbreaking treatment performed by orthopaedic surgeon Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis. On 28 April Lt Spearing was fitted with new robotic legs, and has since undergone daily physiotherapy, enabling him to now walk short distances.

Prince Harry was met by Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis, Macquarie University Hospital CEO Carol Bryant, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Professor Patrick McNeil, Associate Dean, International and Engagement, Professor John Boyages and Ms Belinda Bosley, assistant to Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis. Despite it being a private visit, more than 300 members of the Macquarie and local community also took the opportunity for a glimpse of royalty.

As part of his visit Prince Harry was given a private tour of the Macquarie University Hospital and Clinic, where he met with Lt. Spearing and his fiancé Claire, and had the surgery and rehabilitation process explained by Munjed Al Muderis as well as the wider treatment teams from the Osseointegration clinic and the Clinic Physiotherapy team.

Prince Harry described the surgery as ‘life-changing’, and expressed an interest in having Munjed’s team flown to the UK so that more British serviceman can benefit from their services.

Macquarie University Hospital CEO Carol Bryant said the team was thrilled by the visit.

“We’re very proud of the ground-breaking work being carried out by Associate Professor Al Muderis. Our approach to treatment is to combine the best available knowledge and expertise to ensure patients like Lt Spearing receive the best possible treatment, compassion, support and care.”

Read more about HRH Prince Harry’s visit and background features on Dr Munjed Al Muderis and Lieutenant Alistair Spearing in the Newsroom.