Ground-breaking research showcased at SALHN's Research Week

24 October 2023

Ground-breaking research in cancer, sleep and rheumatoid arthritis will feature in this year’s Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN) Research Week.

Research Week is an annual event held by SALHN which showcases excellence and innovation in research, celebrates achievements, and connects the community with national and international experts.

Anyone with an interest in research and advancements in medical science is invited to attend to hear about a range of research areas, with 55 experts presenting across the week.

The five-day event will highlight world class research taking place in South Australia, including developments in sleep medicine with keynote presentation ‘Australia’s Sleep Health Revolution’, and cancer research into how other diseases impact outcomes. 

SALHN Rheumatology Consultant, Associate Professor Mihir Wechalekar, is among the experts taking part, presenting his research into an innovative trial into targeted rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

He will share insights into a current clinical trial involving the examination of joint tissue where rheumatoid arthritis is present and the use of individualised treatment with disease modifying drugs to provide a more targeted approach.

Around 456,000 Australians have rheumatoid arthritis, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data (2017-2018), and it is hoped this research will optimise treatment to slow the disease and irreversible joint damage it causes.

SALHN Research Week is taking place at Flinders Medical Centre from 18 to 22 September, thanks to support from Flinders Foundation and Flinders University.

For more information or to register to attend, visit: SALHN research week. 

Quotes attributable to SALHN CEO, Professor Kerrie Freeman

Research is a part of so many of our clinicians’ everyday lives, as they trial new ways to deliver care for patients, and ultimately improve the lives of South Australians.

Research Week is a chance for us to showcase this research to the community and demonstrate how the trials taking place in laboratories and health services translate into better health care.

Thank you to Flinders Foundation and Flinders University for their generous support of this event.

Thanks also to The Hospital Research Foundation Group and Flinders Foundation for supporting the annual SALHN Research Enquiry Grant Round, that provides funding for important new research projects at SALHN.

Quotes attributable to SALHN Rheumatology Consultant, Assoc Prof Mihir Wechalekar

Despite advances in therapeutic medications over the past two decades, rheumatoid arthritis continues to have a profound impact on individuals and society due to treatments that have failed to halt irreversible joint damage caused by the disease.

 I look forward to sharing my research with the community at Research Week to demonstrate the possibilities new research opens with regards to advances in treatments for rheumatoid arthritis that impacts so many South Australians.