A healthy start for the Sansom Institute
The
University of South Australia has just launched its newest institute.
A multidisciplinary pharmaceutical and biomedical research facility, the new Sansom Institute will strengthen UniSA’s role in supporting positive health care outcomes for Australians.
It has been named in honour of leading South Australian pharmacist and senior UniSA researcher, Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom AO (pictured).
Sansom Institute Director, Professor Ross McKinnon says the Institute offers a unique research environment that supports an all-important nexus between, education, research and the community.
"What we have created at the Sansom Institute is a research environment that harnesses the skills of practitioners and scientists," Prof McKinnon said. "Our research is very much about making a difference to the long-term health and wellbeing of the wider community.
"Also by being part of a broader teaching institution we can tailor our educational strategies to recruit students into research training programs that match the emerging needs of the community with our research strengths."
Prof McKinnon said the Institute had already developed a strong reputation for its research into the quality use of medicines, molecular medicine, pharmaceutical science, drug development and pharmacy practice. The most recent example is a $2 million project to develop strategies for managing the health and wellbeing of older Australians who are suffering from chronic illnesses. Focusing specifically on developing guidelines to achieve the best possible outcomes for older Australians with common combinations of chronic conditions, the five year project is supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Australian Research Council as part of the Federal Government’s Ageing Well, Ageing Productively priority.
Namesake of the Institute, Emeritus Professor Lloyd Sansom AO retired from UniSA in 2001 but is still a towering figure in pharmacy. His long and distinguished career included teaching, research and an active membership of councils, committees, and government, academic, public health and community sector review groups - all dedicated to improving the health of the nation. Through his steerage of the Australian Pharmaceutical Advisory Council (APAC) and involvement with many advisory bodies coordinated by the Department of Health and Aged Care, Professor Sansom has had profound impacts on medicines policy in Australia. He continues to make an impact on health in Australia in his current role as Chair of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.