Kolling Institute

17/03/2026

Leading researchers from the Kolling Institute will partner with their UK counterparts on an exciting project to boost the mental health and wellbeing of people with a spinal cord injury.

It’s hoped the research, generously funded by philanthropy, will shape clinical practice, and create meaningful impact on the lives of people with spinal cord injury worldwide.

For more: https://kollinginstitute.org.au/news/international-collaboration-to-offer-crucial-mental-health-support-after-spinal-cord-injury
Northern Sydney Local Health District Sydney Health Royal North Shore Hospital

15/03/2026

TOMORROW'S MEDICINE TODAY – S*X, HORMONES AND THE HEART

In this thought-provoking episode of Tomorrow's Medicine Today, PhD candidate Kirsty McGinley explores how s*x hormones influence heart disease and why transgender patients are often missing from the evidence base.

Speaking with James Elliott and Matthew Doane, Kirsty explains the science behind oestrogen, testosterone and vascular health, and how the growing use of gender-affirming hormone therapy presents a rare opportunity to better understand cardiovascular biology.

Listen on the NSLHD website: https://bit.ly/4deFE28 or Spotify: https://bit.ly/4cHh2ir
Northern Sydney Local Health District Sydney Health Kolling Institute Royal North Shore Hospital

13/03/2026

Today's newsletter is jam packed with some impressive people driving high-quality care across Northern Sydney.

There's a focus too on a million dollar donation for research to dramatically change outcomes for people with an aggressive form of bowel cancer.

Flip through our flipping book for more: https://online.flippingbook.com/view/17450949/2
Northern Sydney Local Health District Kolling Institute Sydney Health Royal North Shore Hospital

Message from the chief executive Adjunct Professor Anthony M. Schembri AM I am delighted to reflect on recent achievements across the district, beginning with

12/03/2026

Our researchers at the Kolling Institute have received a remarkable $2.6 million grant for a large-scale project to improve how osteoarthritis care is delivered across Australia.

This crucial program has the potential to reduce unnecessary procedures - ease pressure on the health system, and help people better manage their condition and lifestyle.

The grant success follows vital initial funding from the Girgensohn Foundation.

For more details: https://kollinginstitute.org.au/news/national-research-program-to-increase-access-to-high-quality-osteoarthritis-care
NORTH Foundation Royal North Shore Hospital Northern Sydney Local Health District Sydney Health

11/03/2026

A landmark study by Kolling Institute researchers has found that additional intensive rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury doesn’t result in a faster recovery or significantly better outcomes.

Researchers tracked hundreds of people across rehabilitation centres in Australia and Europe, including several leading Dutch and Flemish institutions.

The results have been published in the highly-respected Lancet Neurology. For more details: https://kollinginstitute.org.au/news/major-study-finds-extra-intensive-training-does-not-change-outcomes-following-spinal-cord-injury/
Northern Sydney Local Health District Sydney Health Royal North Shore Hospital

04/03/2026

TOMORROWS MEDICINE TODAY - THE NEW RULES OF ONCOLOGY

Cancer is complex - but the future of treatment is changing fast.

In this compelling episode of Tomorrow's Medicine Today, Associate Professor Connie Diakos discusses how innovations like genomic testing, liquid biopsies and targeted therapies are transforming the way cancer is treated -- and how these advances are giving patients more time and better quality of life.

Connie explains how personalised medicine, expert care and even lifestyle interventions such as exercise are improving outcomes.

Listen on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4aL8RPr and https://bit.ly/4tZSOq2
Kolling Institute Northern Sydney Local Health District Sydney Health Royal North Shore Hospital

03/03/2026

* BRIDGE: First of its kind research to transform treatment for rare bowel cancer *

We would like to thank the very generous donor who has provided more than a million dollars to fund a ground-breaking research program for one of the most aggressive forms of bowel cancer.

The BRIDGE project is offering hope to patients with the BRAF bowel cancer mutation, which often means patients relapse quickly after conventional cancer treatments.

The crucial research is aiming to provide both immediate and long-term breakthroughs - identifying the immune and genetic factors driving outcomes, as well as effective, personalised treatment options which will help save lives.

Read more here: including a very personal response from a patient living with this rare form of colorectal cancer.
https://kollinginstitute.org.au/news/introducing-bridge-a-life-changing-gift-advancing-research-and-treatment-for-a-rare-form-of-bowel-cancer/
Sydney Health Northern Sydney Local Health District Kolling Institute Royal North Shore Hospital

27/02/2026

🤝✨🔬 COLLABORATION DRIVES NEW CANCER TRIALS AND TRAINING PATHWAYS 🤝✨🔬

Clinicians from the Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) and the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York held a half-day summit to discuss their ongoing clinical trials partnership, which is working to change outcomes for cancer patients.

The program at the Royal North Shore Hospital campus featured a series of presentations highlighting the collaboration, current cancer research, and potential future directions.

NORTH STAR VNP is a partnership between NSLHD and MSK, established in 2024 as a new clinical trials research centre following a transformative $20 million donation from Greg Poche AO and the late Kay Van Norton Poche AO. Since its founding, the centre has grown to support 17 active clinical trials across a broad range of tumour types.

NSLHD Chief Executive Anthony Schembri said the international collaboration with MSK was a major pillar of the district’s cancer research strategy. “The clinical trials program across NSLHD is entering a period of significant maturity and acceleration,” he said. “Clinical teams across both organisations remain engaged, with many collaborative studies currently active.”

Dr Pedram Razavi, a breast oncologist and Director of MSK’s Translational Oncology Partnership Program, said working with NSLHD had helped inform other global collaborations, including a new cancer project in Brazil.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4tViPqg

27/02/2026

Check out the latest news across Northern Sydney Local Health District, including a special event with our leading cancer clinicians and researchers and the expert team from the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York. The partnership is offering wonderful opportunities to access the very latest cancer medications and treatments.
https://online.flippingbook.com/view/430511762/8
Sydney Health Kolling Institute Royal North Shore Hospital

Breast cancer doesn’t wait. Don’t wait to breast screen. Aged 50-74? Book yours today. breastscreen.nsw.gov.au 13 20 50

22/02/2026

New research is challenging the long-held view that exercise improves the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Our researchers however, are not convinced, saying a broad approach with targeted exercise can have a very positive impact.

Listen here as Professor David Hunter discusses the issue with Norman Swan on the ABC's Health Report. https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/healthreport/osteoarthritis-exercise-pain-symptoms/106364292?utm_content=link&utm_medium=content_shared Northern Sydney Local Health District Sydney Health Royal North Shore Hospital University of Sydney

A review of evidence has cast doubt on the idea that exercise improves symptoms of osteoarthritis. But experts are warning people not to change their routines, pointing to the limits of these types of studies. We discuss what the study can and cannot tell us about osteoarthritis, and the best approa...

13/02/2026

Flip through our latest flipping book to learn more about the wealth of activities and news across Northern Sydney, including a focus on clinical trials to help people lose weight safely. https://online.flippingbook.com/view/607187762 Northern Sydney Local Health District Royal North Shore Hospital Kolling Institute Sydney Health

NEWS NORTHERN SYDNEY LOCAL HEALTH DISTRICT NSLHD Main story Short blurb Intellectual Disability Health Service Clinic opens at RNSH Read more on Page x PAGE 3

11/02/2026

* TOMORROW’S MEDICINE TODAY * PRECISE CANCER CARE

In our latest episode of Tomorrow’s Medicine Today with Professor James Elliott and Matthew Doane, Professor Thomas Eade reveals how cancer treatment is getting smarter and faster.

From targeted radiotherapy to harnessing hospital-wide patient data, he’s transforming cancer care - improving survival and crucially, quality of life.

Listen to the latest episode today https://bit.ly/4raMp9m
Or on Spotify: https://bit.ly/4aIw7yL Northern Sydney Local Health District Sydney Health Royal North Shore Hospital Kolling Institute University of Sydney