Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI)

Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) We're taking healthy further. Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) exists to transform the health and wellbeing of our communities. We’re thinking long term.

As the largest regional medical research institute in Australia, since 1998 our groundbreaking work has changed the lives of so many. We could never have done it alone. HMRI has been about collaboration from day one, when a group of world-class researchers, health professionals and community leaders created an organisation to make a positive impact on peoples’ lives. The unique partnership with ou

r local health district, university and community, has enabled us to punch above our weight and work together in agile ways to tackle the biggest health issues of our time. We remain focused on innovation and medical research that’s relevant to everyday life. Our world leading experts collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams with one goal: to help our community be healthier and live their best lives. We’re working in the lab and beyond. We’re always listening and learning from our community to help us shape our research priorities, so we can make sure we’re providing impact where it’s needed most. At HMRI, every day we’re taking healthy further.

01/08/2025

A great segment from NBN Television celebrating the 1st Anniversary of the E S T E E M After Stroke Program at it's Kurri Kurri site!

Happy Anniversary E S T E E M !The ESTEEM After Stroke program (Exercising, Socialising and Thinking - an Environmental ...
31/07/2025

Happy Anniversary E S T E E M !
The ESTEEM After Stroke program (Exercising, Socialising and Thinking - an Environmental enrichment Model in the community after stroke) celebrated its 1st anniversary at its Kurri Kurri site, led by Maitland Community Care Services.

ESTEEM, developed by The University of Newcastle, Australia's Dr Heidi Janssen, from HMRI's Heart and Stroke Research Program, is improving the stroke recovery experience of people in regional areas, drawing upon the healing powers of music, art, movement and socialising.

Dr Janssen’s vision was to make recovery not just possible, but joyful — and accessible, no matter where you live. One year on, the feedback is clear: ESTEEM is making a real difference facilitating improved emotional health and better quality of life, whilst also providing vital respite and support for carers.

Find out more about ESTEEM, including how to participate in the program here: https://okt.to/LlWsUo

31/07/2025

"I'm here because of research, and I'm able to sort of pay that back"
Meet Sarah Lukeman and Anna Steiner, patient advocates whose lived experience is helping shape medical research.

In 2006, Sarah was diagnosed with a rare form of Acute Myeloid Leukemia. The treatment that saved her life was experimental then – today, it's the standard of care.

Sarah now works alongside our researchers in HMRI's Precision Medicine Research Program, led by The University of Newcastle, Australia Associate Professor Heather Lee.

Patient advocates like Sarah and Anna remind researchers of the human impact behind every discovery, help translate complex research into real-world understanding, and ensure our work stays focused on what truly matters to patients and families.

Sarah's journey demonstrates how lived experience becomes a powerful force for change – transforming a difficult diagnosis into hope for future patients in our community and beyond.

Read Sarah's full story and learn how you can make a difference too:
https://okt.to/MSODfN

30/07/2025

Final day to have your say! Our Health Pulse survey closes tomorrow!
We’ll then be diving into everything you’ve shared and turning it into real action.

Connecting with so many of you across our region has been amazing. Your stories, your experiences, the things that keep you up at night worrying about your family's health - they all matter and will be what guides where we focus our research next.

With more than 1700 researchers working to tackle major health challenges, we want to know what's most important to our community so we can develop health solutions that matter.

Have your say:
https://okt.to/s12Bw9

Thank you to everyone who supported us in our recent EOFY appeal! Because of your contribution🔬 Life-saving research wil...
30/07/2025

Thank you to everyone who supported us in our recent EOFY appeal!

Because of your contribution
🔬 Life-saving research will continue
🩺 Innovative trials will run
❤️ Lives will be protected from the unavoidable impacts of life-saving treatments

Your generosity will help create a future where survivors of life-threatening illnesses, like Jaci, don’t have to trade one battle for another.

We are incredibly honoured to be chosen as the charity partner for the opening night of The Play That Goes Wrong in Newc...
29/07/2025

We are incredibly honoured to be chosen as the charity partner for the opening night of The Play That Goes Wrong in Newcastle!

It was a joy chatting with producer Daniel Stoddart, a proud Newcastle local who's bringing the longest running comedy in London home, fresh from an international tour and current Sydney Opera House run.

The Olivier and Tony Award winning comedy promises 120 laughs in 120 minutes of pure, ridiculous fun, with $10 from every opening night ticket going to supporting vital research here at HMRI.

As Daniel told us: "We thought let's align The Play That Goes Wrong, with a medical research institute going incredibly right."

Opening Night: Tuesday, 19 August, 6:30pm
🎟️Book your tickets:
https://okt.to/T4BoNL

28/07/2025

For 24 years, the Lions Australia Diabetes Foundation has been transforming lives across Hunter New England - donating $680,000 to HMRI's diabetes research in a region where 1 in 8 people live with this condition.

What started with leftover Newcastle Earthquake Appeal funds has become over $1 million supporting diabetes research and care over three decades.

Their support now helps power the Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+), bringing specialist diabetes care directly to rural communities.

Thank you to every Lions volunteer whose commitment is helping us take healthy further! Learn more: https://okt.to/5DxMdN

DAP+ is a partnership between The University of Newcastle, Australia, Hunter New England Local Health District, Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network and HMRI.

Behind every breakthrough at HMRI is a dedicated team of staff and researchers making it happen.This week we celebrated ...
25/07/2025

Behind every breakthrough at HMRI is a dedicated team of staff and researchers making it happen.

This week we celebrated everyone who helps us take healthy further, plus discovered our colleagues have some excellent quality control managers at home (the four-legged variety who ensure adequate treat distribution).

Huge thanks to our WHS team for making Gratitude and Recognition Week possible!

24/07/2025

Nearly 70,000 knee replacements are performed in Australia each year to relieve chronic pain and improve mobility in individuals whose joints have been severely damaged by conditions like osteoarthritis. Despite advances in surgical techniques, up to 1 in 5 patients remain dissatisfied with the outcomes achieved following surgery.

This National Pain Week we're highlighting the work of The University of Newcastle, Australia's Dr Karen Ribbons, from HMRI’s Heart and Stroke Research Program, who is tackling this challenge head on through the EXTOKA program - using patient education to bridge the gap between expectations and reality.

Thanks to the nib health foundation's $1M investment in HMRI research, this innovative approach focuses on empowering patients with realistic goal-setting and comprehensive recovery timelines before they go under the knife.

When patients understand their journey, they're better equipped to achieve meaningful outcomes. It's practical research that's already helping people get the most from their surgery.

Learn more about the program:
https://okt.to/sujYPC

For decades, asthma treatment has focused on the lungs - inhalers, steroids, managing inflammation. But groundbreaking r...
23/07/2025

For decades, asthma treatment has focused on the lungs - inhalers, steroids, managing inflammation. But groundbreaking research shows we've been missing the bigger picture.

The newly developed MiDAS tool (Multimorbidity in Difficult Asthma Score) evaluates seven key conditions that people with difficult asthma often struggle with including obesity, sleep apnoea, and reflux. These aren't just side issues - they're actively making asthma worse.

Co-led by The University of Newcastle, Australia Professor Vanessa McDonald, director of HMRI's Asthma and Breathing Program, this international research tested thousands of patients with consistently better outcomes when treating asthma holistically.

MiDAS empowers doctors to deliver complete, individualised care that addresses root causes alongside symptoms, and is leading to better outcomes for asthma patients globally.

Learn more about MiDAS and the study:
https://okt.to/EsONkA

That’s a wrap! We’ve officially closed out graduation week by celebrating our incredible College of Health, Medicine and...
21/07/2025

That’s a wrap! We’ve officially closed out graduation week by celebrating our incredible College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing grads. 💙💉🧠

Shout out to Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) for making today so special!

Congratulations to all the The University of Newcastle, Australia College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing graduates! 🎓...
19/07/2025

Congratulations to all the The University of Newcastle, Australia College of Health, Medicine and Wellbeing graduates! 🎓
It was truly a privilege to sponsor and be part of such a special day celebrating the bright future of health and medicine.

Address

1 Kookaburra Cct
New Lambton, NSW
2305

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+611300993822

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Giving Hope, Finding Answers

What began in 1998 as a bold vision to improve community wellbeing in the Hunter Region of NSW has today evolved into a world-class institute with 1500 medical researchers, students and support staff striving to prevent, treat and defeat a multitude of serious illnesses. Over 20 years later the health and wellbeing of the community remains at the heart of all we do.

Delivering patient-focused translational research is our major goal, which means seed funding start-up studies, supporting larger scale research projects whilst fostering a flow of information and innovation back and forth between scientists, clinicians and public health professionals. Attracting top health and medical specialists and collaborating with other leading institutes and industries helps to fast-track the provision of new and better health solutions.