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Social engagement

20 May 2009

Southern Health executive director Neth Hinton and Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences dean Professor Steve Wesselingh sign the agreement. Also pictured: manager social work Glenda Bawden, Department of Social Work head Margaret Alston and School of Primary Health Care deputy head Associate Professor Neil Spike.

Monash has formed a partnership with Southern Health in Victoria that will see the appointment of a new Associate Professor of Social Work.

The Associate Professor of Social Work will work between the Department of Social Work in the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences and Southern Health on joint research projects, funding applications, professional development opportunities for staff and student placements.

Situated in Melbourne's south east, Southern Health is Victoria's largest metropolitan health service, serving a population of more than 866,000. It integrates primary, secondary and tertiary health services, as well as world-renowned research and teaching facilities.

Head of the Department of Social Work Margaret Alston said the partnership would give Monash significant standing in social work health research.

"This agreement extends our area of expertise into direct practice in health and health research," Professor Alston said.

"It also opens up possibilities for student placements and for medical centre staff development in the area of health research."

Southern Health executive director Continuing Care Neth Hinton welcomed the agreement.

"The appointment will offer significant benefits to both organisations and will provide great opportunities to staff and students of both our organisations," Ms Hinton said.