Clinical Institutes

A Clinical Institute framework was adopted at Epworth HealthCare in 2008/09 and introduced as part of Epworth’s commitment to becoming a hospital group significantly focussing on teaching and research.

The Clinical Institute framework was implemented under the leadership of Dr Peter Dohrmann, Epworth HealthCare’s Executive Medical Director.

Each Institute is overseen by a Chairman and combines all the specialities associated with a specific disease or organ system under a single clinician’s leadership across all Epworth facilities.

By linking particular craft groups under clinical institutes we create synergy amongst clinicians with similar clinical research and teaching interests.

Clinical Institute

Clinical Institute Chair

Cancer Services  Dr Stephen Vaughan
Cardiac Sciences Associate Professor Ronald Dick
Critical Care Associate Professor Nerina Harley
Diagnostic Services Professor Kenneth Thomson
General Surgery & Gastroenterology Associate Professor Neil Collier
Internal Medicine  Associate Professor Ian Fraser 
Musculoskeletal   Professor Richard de Steiger 
Neurosciences  Associate Professor Graeme Brazenor 
Obstetrics & Gynaecology   Associate Professor Robert Rome 
Rehabilitation, Psychiatry & Pain Management Professor John Olver 
Speciality Surgery   Associate Professor Mark Frydenberg 

Through the Academic Chairs and Clinical Institute Chairmen, academic leadership is provided throughout Epworth, facilitating undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, enhanced research activities, peer reviews and clinical audits. This in turn provides results in improved patient treatment, innovation and outcomes.

A total of 11 Clinical Institutes have been created supporting 47 Registrars and Fellows positions, and providing the basis for clinical audit programs. As of December 2011, eleven Chairmen have been appointed to Clinical Institutes, assisted by ten Deputy Chairmen.

The Chair of each Clinical Institute provides strong leadership through:

  • Planning and executing Institute activities including regular clinical and business meetings
  • Facilitating Institute research
  • Implementing clinical audit and quality assurance activities
  • Advising on and ensuring the integrity of after hours on-call arrangements
  • Supervising training of medical students and specialist trainees
  • Advising Epworth on College and specialty society liaison
  • Identifying and mobilising colleagues willing to contribute to an Institute model.

Clinical Institute Coordinators
For further information, contact the Clinical Institute Team.
Ph: 03 9936 8053                                     

Doctors & Services