the
Australian Society Medical Research
for
ACN 000 599 235 - ABN 18 000 599 235
145 Macquarie Street. Sydney, 2000
Ph: (02) 9256 5450, Fax (02) 9252 0294
Email: asmr@world.net,
Website: www.asmr.org.au
Snr. Executive Officer: Catherine West
Embargoed until 12noon: Monday June 7, 2004
RESEARCHER WINS AWARD FOR CONTRIBUTION TO MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH
A young Melbourne based researcher, committed to ensuring that research is translated into practice
has won the 2004 Amgen Medical Researcher Award.
Associate Professor Kim Bennell, Foundation Director of the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports
Medicine, School of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne has made a major contribution to
improving, prevention and management of musculoskeletal conditions using healthy, conservative
and non-pharmaceutical based therapies such as exercise.
She has made translational activities a focus rather than a by-product of her research and has
concentrated on two major public health issues, knee pain and osteoporosis. Her research strives to
understand the impairments that contribute to and arise from the conditions leading to pain and
disability and use this information to develop and evaluate conservative non-pharmacological
management strategies that slow disease progression, reduce pain and enhance quality of life.
Researching within a multi-disciplinary environment, Dr Bennell has gathered together and leads a
team of researchers drawn together from the disciplines of physiotherapy, medicine, exercise and
science. Her work encompasses lab-based research, the acute clinical environment, health
promotion, maintenance and rehabilitation. A truly remarkable and pioneering clinical scientist who
completed her PhD when there were less than ten physiotherapists in Australia. Her vision and ability
to recognise the skill sets required to address important research questions is impressive.
Dr Bennell’s research has changed clinical practice and had an enormous impact on community
behaviour and on national and state policy. Personal experience with scoliosis as a child has given
her a rare insight into the needs of patients and the importance of empowering them to manage their
disease. Encouraging conservative strategies rather than relying on drugs for the management of
musculoskeletal disease, benefits individual patients and has economic implications, given that in
Australia in 2000, arthritis and osteoporosis costs were around $9 billion. Health system costs of
prevention and treatment are estimated at about $2.24 billion in 2000. Of that, $900 million (41%) are
hospital costs. Indirect costs (including loss of earnings and lost production due to premature
retirement) are estimated at triple the direct costs ($6.72 billion).
Amgen Australia, HR and Corporate Communications Director Shane Tiernan said Amgen was very
pleased to make this award to Dr Bennell for her ground-breaking contributions to public health
research. Congratulating Dr Bennell, on the excellence of her research, Ms Tiernan said “Australian
science ranks with the best in the world. Amgen is committed to recognising the importance of
medical research in Australia”
President of The Australian Society for Medical Research, Associate Professor Andrew Sinclair said,
“It is worth noting that Kim Bennell has had continual NHMRC project grant support since 1998 and
impressive support from ARC, universities, trusts and foundations. Her public good research is
reaping exceptional returns for Australia and Australians”.
The Amgen Medical Researcher Award will be presented by Ms Tiernan at a lunch to be held at the
Hyatt Hotel, Melbourne (Lumina Room), June 7th, from 12:30 –2.00pm, as part of ASMR Medical
Research Week
Associate Professor Bennell is available for interview throughout ASMR Medical Research Week
For media Interviews contact:
Catherine West, 02 9256 5450 or 0415 928 211