New appointments mark exciting era for nursing at Alfred Health

These are the words of Emeritus Professor Judith Parker on the announcement that four new Professor of Nursing roles have been established at Alfred Health in partnership with Monash University, Deakin University, and La Trobe University.

All organisations are part of the Alfred Research Alliance, a collaborative partnership between the like-minded organisations who are focused on solving the world's most critical health challenges.

The nursing professor’s role is crucial for shaping the future of healthcare by educating and mentoring the next generation of nurses, advancing the profession through research, and contributing to the improvement of patient care and nursing practices.

They bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world healthcare.

Professor Parker is one of the pre-eminent figures in Australian nursing and has played a major role in the development of nursing programs, practice development and research in the university sector in Australia.

Her connection to this campus stems back to the early 1980s where she served on The Alfred's Board.

From 1989 to1996 she was the Foundation Professor, School of Nursing, La Trobe University.

A few years later, La Trobe University’s School of Nursing partnered with The Alfred, a move she had hoped would happen.

Ahead of her time, Professor Parker advocated for nursing to become tertiary-qualified and recognised for evidence-based nursing practice.

“I was one of only five PhD (Monash University) prepared nurses in the country and soon after this, hospital-based nursing education was transferred to Colleges of Advanced Education (CAEs),” she said.

Prof Parker is internationally renowned for her research into nursing and was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service, particularly in the fields of nursing education and the development of evidence-based nursing practice.

“I think it is inspirational having these specialised professor roles, it is a wonderful strategy by Alfred Health and its partner universities,” Prof Parker added.

The new roles have been led and established by Alfred Health’s Chief Nursing Officer and Executive Director of Nursing, Professor Ged Williams and Alfred Health’s Foundational Chair in Nursing and Director of Nursing Research, Deakin Distinguished Professor Tracey Bucknall.

Prof Williams was a student of Prof Parker 40 years ago and has gone on to forge a career that’s taken him all over the world, including the Middle East and Africa, and Australia. He holds adjunct appointments with a number of universities.

Prof Bucknall holds a joint appointment between Alfred Health and Deakin University and was the Foundational Professor of Nursing and Director of Nursing Research at Alfred Health. She is also Co-Director of Deakin University's Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research. During her career, she has held a number of international and national Adjunct Professorial appointments, including the University of Southern Denmark, Denmark and Bangor University, UK.

Joining Prof Williams and Prof Bucknall in the new roles are:

• Professor Suzanne Kapp, Latrobe University/Alfred Health, Home Acute and Community Services
• Associate Professor Louise Alexander, Deakin University/ Alfred Health, Mental Health and Addiction Services
• Associate Professor Olivia Cook, Monash University/Alfred Health, Cancer Services
• Soon-to-be-appointed Professor of Nursing, Monash University/ Alfred Health, Emergency and Trauma Centre Services

“Each appointee is a well-known, highly respected clinical/academic in their chosen field with a range of methodological expertise. They are forming professional relationships across the multidisciplinary teams in their area and will form research teams, and activities, prioritised by the team,” Prof Williams said.

“We are also working hard to expand our graduate nurse program, post graduate specialisation programs, advanced practice roles, including nurse practitioners, and leadership development pathways with a single goal of delivering the best patient-centred care and treatment possible to the communities we serve.”

“Expanding our research capabilities will further add to our contribution to healthcare locally, nationally and globally,” Prof Williams added.

There are 4400 nurses and 1500 nursing students on the Alfred precinct.

Prof Bucknall adds, "Professors in nursing stand at the confluence of care and inquiry—where patient experience intersects with the rigor of evidence. Nursing research redefines nursing as a discipline of both compassion and intellect, challenging conventions and shaping policy for safer, smarter, and more equitable healthcare."