Category: <span>Bellberry Community</span>
Bellberry is delighted to announce the recent registration and certification of 4 new HRECs H, I, J and K bringing our total number of HRECs to 12. This enables us to support up to 3 HREC meetings per week.
Full details of all our Committee’s can be found on our HREC page.
Early last year Bellberry adopted the Early Phase Clinical Trial (EPCT) reviews for NSW public health sites and during that time submissions have steadily grown. To enable us to support this growth along with organic business growth, we are delighted to announce that we have recently recruited additional staff.
Joining the administration team we welcome 5 new HREC Officer’s: Phoebe Manuel, Anthea Hall, Micheala Singe, Natalie Brown and Ali Young. We also welcome Alison Branford to the new role of  HREC Co-ordinator.
Phoebe is a graduate of Pharmaceutical Science. During her university degree, she undertook work experience in a university chemistry research laboratory and at a clinical trials unit and completed a placement at an overseas pharmaceutical company. She also worked in a pathology laboratory for a year as a technical assistant.
Natalie has spent the last 12 years of her career working in administration roles within the medical field and not-for-profit organisations including Reception, Office Management, Operations and Committee Management. Natalie worked at The Australian Medical Association (AMA(SA)) prior to coming to Bellberry.
Michealea has had a varied career across multiple industries including Incident Coordinator, Document Controller and Operations Support Coordinator at a major not-for-profit organisation, Legal Secretary at a federal government agency and Network Service Manager for a national real estate franchisor.
Anthea has come from a background in medical research administration and has an Honours Degree in Health and Medical Science from the University of Adelaide.
Ali is a skilled administration and personal assistant with a background in Commercial Property. Her passion for helping people and dance teaching inspired her to change career path and focus on the medical and health industry.
Alison Branford comes to Bellberry with over 30 years of experience working in the medical industry. She has worked in varying administrative and managerial roles during this time.
The new team members are a great asset to Bellberry bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and a diversity of experience. We welcome them all to the Bellberry community!
Melanie Gentgall, CEO of Praxis Australia, has been shortlisted for Pro Bono Australia’s Impact 25 awards. These awards seek to recognise and celebrate the amazing people delivering incredible outcomes in the Not For Profit sector.
Through Praxis, Bellberry seeks to support education that in turn delivers on our core objectives of improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of research and the welfare of research participants. Â Melanie joined Bellberry to explore and establish this education initiative and has been the energetic custodian that has overseen its transformation into the independent NFP Praxis that you see today.
Bellberry is exceedingly proud of both Melanie and the work of Praxis. If you would like to cast your vote to support Melanie and to recognise her achievements with Praxis, please click on the link below. Voting closes on Thursday 12 Feb.
Bellberry’s mission is to protect the welfare of research participants and to improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of research.
Whenever possible, we are always striving to make improvements to streamline the HREC process. To kick off in 2020, please find below an update of the significant changes that will impact research sites and sponsors. These changes will be rolling out in the coming days, weeks and months.
If you have any suggestions for future quality improvements initiatives, please email quality@bellberry.com.au.
Sponsor access to eProtocol
Sponsors and CROs wishing to access studies in eProtocol can now liaise with the site Principal Investigator to obtain access.
- Sponsors can assist with all parts of the application but cannot press ‘submit’. This remains the responsibility of the Principal Investigator.
- Principal Investigators retain control of all persons that they wish to allow access to.
Progress reports
Moving to a one-year term of approval cycle from March 2020.
- Studies approved before March 2020 will remain with current terms and conditions.
- A protocol violation report must be submitted for any progress report that is submitted after midnight on the date it is due.
- All sites urged to review their open studies to ensure their progress reporting is up to date.
Application form
The application form has had some minor question changes.
- Sites need to be mindful of these changes when applying and read all questions carefully.
- Declaration of the Principal Investigator has changed.
Document changes
There are several changes to Bellberry documentation. Many documents that you previously knew as policies are now sitting in an updated structure of Guidance and Resources. Click here for a table of all documents both old and new. This list is not exhaustive; it contains only references to the former policies.
Site monitoring
From 2020, site monitoring will occur in two ways – face to face and via desktop auditing.
- Sites will be given a template to complete for desktop audits.
Institutional responsibilities
By the end of the first quarter of 2020, there will be changes to some documents that Bellberry requests, including site-specific documents.
- We are currently working with pilot sites & sponsors to test the new process and forms.
- Sites are encouraged to spend the coming months preparing for how they will manage their internal document flow, version control and authorisation process.
- These examples relate purely to what documentation is uploaded, and each site is still responsible for creating their own ‘site application’ in the system.
The Bellberry office will be closed from Tues 24 Dec at 5 pm until Thurs 2 Jan at 9 am.
There will be no HREC meeting on Wed 1 Jan 2020 (public holiday). The first meeting of 2020 is on Thurs 2 Jan.
All remaining HREC meetings for 2020 will be held weekly every Wednesday.
Due to the recent addition of Early Phase Clinical Trial (EPCT) reviews for NSW public health sites, organic business growth and in preparation for future growth, Bellberry has recently externally advertised and recruited to a number of new roles, several of which have been successfully filled internally.
Member Coordinator
Congratulations to HREC Administrator Molly Wundenburg who has been appointed as Member Coordinator. Molly will work closely with Cathy Stevens liaising with, supporting and co-ordinating over 100 HREC members ensuring that they have all that they need to provide high-quality HREC reviews, along with our ongoing commitment to the recruitment of new members.
IT Operations and Systems Administrator
HREC Administrator Paul Smith will be joining the IT team as IT Operations and Systems Administrator to assist in supporting the businesses key functions including communication, data management, HREC submission and review and data analysis.
Both Molly and Paul have begun transitioning into their new roles and will continue to do so in the New Year.
Team Leaders
Joining Sally Sims, HREC Administrator Margaret Jelbart was successful in obtaining the position of Team Leader. Margaret commenced the role last month and brings all her previous research and governance experience, as well as a great knowledge of Bellberry processes to the role. Sheree Brozyna has also joined the Team Leader trio. Sheree comes to Bellberry having worked for a number of years as a forensic scientist. Her research, quality and analytics experience will be a great asset to the team bringing a valuable diversity of experience.
Quality Officer
We are delighted to announce that HREC Administrator Kate Fulton has recently been appointed as our new Quality Officer. After external advertising, Kate was the successful candidate amongst a strong field of applicants. Kate will be joining the Quality team early in the New Year.
Many congratulations to everyone in their new roles!
Due to the recent addition of Early Phase Clinical Trial (EPCT) reviews for NSW public health sites, organic business growth and in preparation for future growth, Bellberry has recently advertised and recruited to a number of new roles including new HREC Officers. Bellberry is delighted to announce that four new HREC Officers have recently joined the team. Maria Calarco, Dianne Palani-Stahl, Katie Trenorden and Mollie Van Rhoda all joined us in October. They come with a richness of experience including, Research, Medical Reception, HREC Administration and Recruitment. They have already become a great part of our wonderful Admin team and will be allocated their own Committee’s in due course.
Due to several internal staff changes as a result of newly created roles (further details to follow), Bellberry now has further vacancies for HREC Officers. Please visit the SEEK website for further information if you or anyone you know may be interested in this role. Closing date for applications is Fri 6 December.
The last meeting of 2019 will be held on Wed 18 December with a submission deadline date of Wed 4 December. The first meeting of 2020 will be on Thursday 2 January with a submission deadline of Wed 11 December.
The Bellberry office will be closed from Tues 24 December at 5 pm until Thurs 2 January at 9 am. There will be no HREC meetings on Wed 25 December or Wed 1 January 2020 (public holidays).
Meeting Date    Submission Date
Thurs 2 Jan           Wed 11 Dec
Wed 8 Jan             Wed 18 Dec
Wed 15 Jan           Thurs 2 Jan
Meetings will continue to be held every Wednesday for 2020 with the submission date 2 weeks before the meeting date.
Bellberry extends sincere congratulations to our Committee B Chair, Emeritus Professor James Toouli, on being awarded the 2019 Master of the World Gastroenterology Organisation (WGO) Award in Istanbul recently. This Award is in honour of Jim’s exceptional professional and personal contributions to the field of gastroenterology and its related disciplines, and especially his efforts in the less well-developed regions of the world and in service to the populations WGO is focussed on.
The Master of the WGO (MWGO) Award is the highest honour the WGO can bestow on a member and is granted only to those individuals who have provided outstanding dedication to the mission of the WGO and achieved distinction in such areas as scholarly research, teaching, service to WGO and the community at large.
This is a capstone career award and is given in conjunction with each World Congress of Gastroenterology.
ACTA International Clinical Trials Conference in partnership with the Department of Health
More than 450 delegates gathered at the ACTA International Clinical Trials Conference, held at the ICC in Sydney from 2-5 October. The Conference has been lauded as a great success, bringing together delegates and faculty including global leaders in clinical trials, data sharing, novel trial designs, health economics and consumer involvement. The Hon. Greg Hunt MP, Minister for Health opened the Conference on Thursday 3 October, highlighting the importance of clinical trials in delivering quality care and treatment, innovation and economic value to the health care system throughout Australia, with a vision to increase access to clinical trials for people from rural and regional Australia and a focus on indigenous communities. In seven workshops and 16 conference sessions across three days, the Conference explored the underlying vision of the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance and the theme of the Conference: Better health through best evidence. BB were proud to be a silver sponsor of the event. Click here for a full round-up of the event
The last meeting of 2019 will be held on Wed 18 December with a submission deadline date of Wed 4 December. The first meeting of 2020 will be on Thursday 2 January with a submission deadline of Wed 11 December.
The Bellberry office will be closed from Tues 24 December at 5pm until Thurs 2 January at 9am. There will be no HREC meetings on Wed 25 December 2019 or Wed 1 January 2020.
[one-half-first]Meeting Date[/one-half-first]
[one-half]Submission Date[/one-half]
Meetings will continue to be held every Wednesday for 2020 with the submission date 2 weeks prior to the meeting date.
AAHMS (Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences) is the impartial, authoritative, cross-sector voice of health and medical science in Australia. They are an independent, interdisciplinary body of 357 Fellows (soon to be 399) – elected by their peers for their distinguished achievements and exceptional contributions to health and medical science in Australia. Collectively, they are a representative and independent voice, who engage with the community, industry and governments. The Academy is uniquely positioned to convene cross-sector stakeholders from across Australia to address the most pressing health challenges facing society.
AAHMS was formalised in 2013 as a result of a gap in the sector for Health and Medical Sciences. At the time four Academy’s existed; Science, Engineering & Technology, Social Science and Humanities but there was no specific Academy for Health and Medical Sciences. So AAHMS was formally established in 2014 with Professor Ian Frazer as President to provide an impartial and authoritative voice for healthcare and medical science practice, to drive policy issues forwards and to provide leadership, inspiration and support to the next generation of budding medical science leaders. AAHMS is governed by an elected Board and Council.
The Academy began with 15 fellows and today has 357 with another 42 being formally welcomed at this year’s Annual General and Scientific Meeting. Becoming a Fellow is a competitive process which can take up to 12 months. Nominations are made through recommendations and peer review and candidates must meet a robust criterion which includes making significant contributions to research. The Academy strives to maintain a Fellowship base made up of a diverse range of expertise and disciplines. Of the 42 new Fellows joining the Academy, 19 are female and 2 are corresponding Fellows from overseas.
Catherine Luckin is the current CEO of AAHMS and joined the Academy in 2018 when the Brisbane office was set up. Catherine has a decade of experience supporting research and innovation, particularly in the health and medical sciences – through roles in policy, public affairs, strategy and international relations. Until December 2016, she was Head of International at the Academy of Medical Sciences (AMS), the UK’s National Academy for health and medical research. She led a team of staff to deliver initiatives designed to respond to global health challenges, influence policy and promote international mobility, connections and capacity building. Catherine as the first CEO that AAHMS has had leads a dedicated Secretariat team, manages Governance and policy issues and drives forward the Academy’s strategic objectives.
This year’s 5th General and Scientific Annual Meeting will be held 9 – 11 October in Perth. The Academy has 5 state branches covering all the states and territories and this event is a great opportunity to brings all of the Fellows together. The theme of the meeting this year is ‘Infectious diseases: threats old and new’. It has been 100 years since the Spanish Flu arrived in Australia and from here, the meeting will consider the national and global prospects for tackling current and emerging threats – known and unknown. Questions to be explored include:
What are the prospects for eliminating infectious diseases?
How will the world tackle the next pandemic – ‘Disease X’?
The meeting will also celebrate Professor Ian Frazer’s Presidency and welcome incoming President Professor Ingrid Scheffer. Professor Scheffer is an Australian paediatric neurologist and senior research fellow at the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. She has made several major advances in the field of epilepsy research and is credited with finding the first gene implicated in epilepsy. Prof Ian Frazer will maintain his position on the AAHMS Board and will continue to remain heavily involved in the Academy.
Bellberry is delighted to continue to support the Academy and will again be sponsoring this year’s General and Scientific Annual Meeting.
Last week our Member Manager Cathy Stevens celebrated 10 years at Bellberry! Cathy actually started her Bellberry life in 2008 as an HREC Committee member but not long after commenced her full time role as Member Manager. Cathy liaises with and co-ordinates over 130 HREC Committee members ensuring that our eight HREC Committees maintain a high calibre of membership across the board.
Cathy is a much-loved member of the Bellberry community and we the team wishes her many congratulations. Here’s to another 10 years!
The Bellberry team were recently invited to visit SAHMRI to see and hear first hand the research activity that is underway with the aid of Bellberry funding.
Back in 2014 SAHMRI’s Mind and Brain Theme Leader, Prof Julio Licinio was awarded the inaugural Bellberry Mind and Brain Fellowship. The recipient of the Fellowship was Dr Michael Musker. The Bellberry team met with Dr Musker who has worked on several initiatives since 2014 including a highly innovative project on gene-environment interactions. Dr Musker talked with the team about the projects that he has worked on since coming to SAHMRI in 2014 including the following:
- https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-04/workplace-stress-burnout-symptoms-and-signs-diagnosis/11174404
- https://theconversation.com/suicide-rates-are-rising-with-or-without-13-reasons-why-lets-use-it-as-a-chance-to-talk-116434
- https://theconversation.com/if-youre-coming-off-antidepressants-withdrawals-and-setbacks-may-be-part-of-the-process-114179
The team also met with Prab Takhar, Director of SAHMRI’s cyclotron. In 2017 Bellberry launched its partnership with SAHMRI to establish the Bellberry Molecular Imaging Program. This program studies how diseases may behave differently in individual patients, with important implications in the development of a more personalised approach to disease diagnosis and treatment. Molecular imaging has enabled the ability to use radiopharmaceuticals to study the functionality and progression of diseases ranging from bone, breast and prostate cancers, through to Parkinson’s Disease, Epilepsy and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Read more on Prab’s recent work in the Bellberry Molecular Imaging Unit:
https://www.sahmri.org/research-theme/news-246/
Bellberry are delighted to announce that we have appointed Athena Seltsikas as HR Business Partner, to assist with our continued growth and development.
Athena has more than 20 years experience in a variety of Human Resources roles across organisations such as SA Water, ElectraNet, Weber Stephens and Telstra. In more recent times, Athena has had experience of Not For Profit organisations in the healthcare sector. In addition to supporting HR , Athena has been responsible for major HR projects such as recruitment campaigns, workforce development, leadership development and the development and deployment of training and professional development resources.
Athena will work in close partnership with other members of the Bellberry Leadership Team and the team as a whole to support change and growth.