At HMRI, our community is at the heart of everything we do. We’re on a mission to transform health and wellbeing in the Hunter New England region, with a goal to create the healthiest million people on the planet.

Our vision is simple: discover local, cure global. We make breakthroughs in health right here that can be scaled and applied to improve lives everywhere.

Our strength lies in our partnership between the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Local Health District and our community. For more than 25 years, this collaboration has brought together over 1,700 researchers, staff and students working side by side to tackle our region’s biggest health challenges.

We listen to, and work alongside, our diverse communities, to ensure our research is relevant to everyday life, from testing new ideas to delivering life-changing treatments. Our world-class facilities and research services, including clinical trials, data sciences, health economics, research
impact, histology and imaging, help turn ideas into real-world health impact.
Together, we’re taking healthy further.

Bringing the brightest minds together in Australia's most advanced real-world testbed for human health

HMRI is a unique and vital part of Australia’s medical research sector. Our strength lies in connection: bringing together researchers, clinicians and community partners across the region to turn bold ideas into better health
outcomes. While many of our team are based at our HMRI Building in the John Hunter Health & Innovation Precinct, our collaborative network extends across urban, regional and rural communities, ensuring our research is shaped by real-world needs.

As Australia's largest regional medical research institute, our region gives us a unique strength. The 1 million people in our Hunter New England community reflect the diversity, complexity and challenges of Australia, making it an ideal place to test, refine and deliver solutions that can be scaled nationally and beyond. Through initiatives like our emerging translation hubs and community connected platforms, we are creating new pathways for impact, where insights from lived experience, clinical care and scientific discovery are brought together to solve the problems that matter most.

Among the one million people living in the Hunter New England region, around:

38% live in a rural location

7% identify as First Nations

17% live with disability

37% have an identified health need

And the average age is 41.3

Our strategy for impact

At HMRI, impact is not an outcome we hope for. It is something we design for.

Our strategy brings discovery, translation and real-world implementation together as a single system, focused on the health challenges that matter most to our communities and to Australia.

1. Start with real-world need: We focus on the health challenges emerging in our region because they reflect the future health of the nation. By grounding our research in lived experience, clinical reality and population need, we ensure our work is both relevant and ready to make a difference.

2. Build for translation from the outset: We don’t wait for discovery to translate. We design for it from day one. Our programs and translation hubs are built to move ideas rapidly into practice, closing the gap between
what we know and what we do in healthcare.

3. Create scale through partnership: Impact at scale requires alignment. We bring together researchers, clinicians, community and industry to form purposeful partnerships that turn individual excellence into coordinated, system-wide change.

4. Operate as one connected system: We work as one integrated team across disciplines, institutions and sectors. This allows us to develop and deliver new models of prevention, diagnosis and care faster, more effectively, and with greater reach into the communities we serve.

HMRI has one of the most comprehensive portfolios of medical research in Australia, spanning discoveries from the laboratory bench through to community health. To help us maintain focus across this portfolio, there are three main themes that guide our upcoming research projects.

• Discoveries and innovations in healthcare
  We explore new medical technologies and ideas from pharmaceutical innovation to precision medicine, to advance our understanding of healthcare.

• Environmental health and disasters
  We investigate how our surroundings impact physical and mental health. This includes uncovering triggers behind chronic diseases and exploring the effects of climate change.

• Resilient health and wellbeing
  We research lifestyle practices and social impacts to better understand how we can all maintain optimal physical and mental health throughout our lives. This work empowers our communities to live healthy lifestyles.

To achieve our goals and deliver on our mission, we have identified several key priorities. We are setting the stage to become a premier hub for clinical trials, offering an integrated service that supports every phase of the process. This ensures people in our region have access to the latest advancements in treatment and care.

We also place our community at the heart of our work by focusing on consumer and community involvement, embedding their perspectives and experiences into our research. This enables us to address both current and
emerging health challenges with a deep understanding of what matters most to the people we serve.

To ensure our discoveries lead to tangible outcomes, we continue to rely on strong government and industry partnerships. These collaborations are crucial for rapidly developing our research into policies, products and services that enhance health and wellbeing. We also leverage information and digital technology to improve both patient care and research outcomes.

Ultimately, our strategy is grounded in pursuing ambitious research that tackles the problems that matter most. That’s what builds our reputation, attracts exceptional people and bold ideas, and earns the investment that fuels our future, all so we can keep transforming the health and wellbeing of our communities.

Where you live should not determine your health outcomes. At HMRI, we create impact by investing in and supporting research that develops new models of care that make high-quality care more accessible, more connected, and closer to where people are. This includes new ways of delivering prevention, diagnosis and treatment that reduce barriers to access and improve equity. By grounding this work in a region that reflects the diversity of Australia, the models we develop don’t just work here but can be scaled and applied nationally and globally, extending impact far beyond our 1 million people.

DAP+ Medibus: bringing specialist diabetes care to the bush

In the Hunter New England region, about one in eight people have diabetes, with many of those cases undiagnosed. The condition poses serious health
risks if not properly managed, and this is especially challenging for people in rural and remote locations who often struggle to access specialist care. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are also disproportionately
affected by the disease. To tackle these issues, the DAP+ Medibus was designed to bring specialist diabetes services directly to the people who need them most.

The DAP+ Medibus is a key part of Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+), a collaborative effort by HMRI, the University of Newcastle, Hunter New England Local Health District and Hunter New England Central Coast
Primary Health Network. This custom-built medical clinic on wheels travels to rural and remote communities to provide advanced screenings and ongoing support. The on-board team includes an endocrinologist, dietitian,
podiatrist, diabetes educator and Aboriginal health worker, all dedicated to meeting the specific needs of these communities.

The program’s community-focused approach is already making an impact. By working closely with Aboriginal communities, the team has successfully reached 157 Indigenous patients so far, representing nearly 13% of all
patients seen. By bringing care to their doorstep, the DAP+ Medibus is helping to reduce health complications and build a more sustainable healthcare system for the entire region.

Our impact so far

Since its expansion, the DAP+ program has achieved incredible milestones:

• Expanding our reach: We’ve recruited 92 new practices and held case conferencing with 231 GPs.
• Delivering direct patient care: Over 1,200 new patients have received care, with an impressive attendance rate of 95%. Over 730 calls were made to the DAP+ Advice Line.
• Building skills for the future: We’re helping develop the next generation of healthcare professionals through 77 capacity building events attended by more than 640 people. There are also five diabetes educators and 10
  diabetes specialists working with DAP+.
• Achieving positive outcomes: We’ve seen decreases in median readings for glucose, weight and cholesterol in a subset of 2024’s patients.

The program is also generating new research to influence broader health policy, helping us create a model that can be adopted globally. With community and partner support, we’re putting research into action where it’s needed most, showing how HMRI discovers local and cures global.

Improving stroke rehabilitation in regional communities

Over 45,000 Australians experience a stroke each year, and more than 440,000 are living with the longer-term effects. The overall cost attributed to stroke each year in Australia is nearly $9 billion1, focused on NDIS funding for stroke recovery including supports for daily activities and skills development. The challenges of recovery are magnified in regional areas due to limited access to services. Dr. Heidi Janssen, a physiotherapist and HMRI researcher, is working to change this by collaborating directly with stroke survivors to develop new, effective recovery methods.

The ESTEEM Program: A New Approach

Dr. Janssen’s ESTEEM program uses an “environmental enrichment” model that leverages the brain’s ability to rewire itself. By combining exercise, socialisation, and creative activities, the program helps rebuild motor and cognitive skills while boosting confidence in a supportive, community setting. This approach aims to provide improved recovery outcomes for regional stroke survivors, reducing the need for extensive travel.

Since 2022, more than 100 people with stroke in the Hunter region have participated in the community-based ESTEEM program. In July 2025, people gathered at Maitland to celebrate the first anniversary of the program, demonstrating its ongoing, positive impact. Members of the group run by Maitland Community Care Services reported seeing significant improvements in their physical function, mood and quality of life as a direct result.

Yarning Up After Stroke

In collaboration with Elders and community members around Tamworth and Quirindi, HMRI researchers are developing a culturally appropriate recovery tool for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This initiative uses yarning, a traditional method of respectful conversation and knowledge sharing, to create a culturally safe space for stroke survivors.

The project is guided by Elders Uncle Neville Sampson, Aunty Audrey Trindall and Uncle Joe Miller, with key research from Professor Chris Levi, Gomeroi woman Simone Owen and Dr. Heidi Janssen. The goal is to empower survivors to take control of their own recovery journey, with the hope of expanding the model nationally. This project was supported by the Stroke Foundation and Medical Research Futures Fund (MRFF).

At HMRI, translating ideas into impact means ensuring research is shaped by the people it is designed to benefit. Discovery is where impact begins. But research is not complete until it is translated, used and understood. Impact is realised when evidence informs practice, lived experience shapes solutions, and communities see meaningful change as a result of research. From Indigenous-led national reform to child-centred cancer care and community-powered research prioritisation, we are strengthening the connection between insight and implementation. By embedding co-design, cultural integrity and community partnership across our research programs, we are accelerating not only the generation of knowledge, but its adoption, relevance and real-world benefit.

Putting community at the heart of Indigenous health research

Every Australian deserves the chance for a healthy life. Yet, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the gap in health outcomes remains one of our nation’s most pressing challenges. To address this across medical research, we need to look closely at how each project is intended to help, and make sure they are being done in a culturally appropriate way.

That is the goal of Murru Minya, a national project led by a pioneering team of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, including HMRI Affiliate, Professor Michelle Kennedy. Murru Minya, or ‘good pathway’ in the Wiradjuri language, is about understanding the past and creating a strong pathway for the future of health research. The team has been travelling around the country to hear directly from communities, researchers and ethics committees about their experiences.

The groundbreaking project is the first time anyone has asked Indigenous communities firsthand about their experience with health research. With more than 750 perspectives captured, the message is powerful: research led by Indigenous experts is more culturally appropriate, better reflects community values, and is far more likely to deliver real, positive and practical outcomes.

The insights gathered led to the development of a set of nationally endorsed recommendations that are changing how research is conducted.

Even more exciting, this groundwork successfully secured funding for a new National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Medical Human Research Ethics Committee at the Lowitja Institute, informed by the project's findings, which were presented at a national roundtable².

The national body will address critical gaps in the system, strengthening oversight and governance to ensure research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is safe, culturally aligned, and consistent with ethical guidelines and Closing the Gap reforms. Murru Minya isn't just a research study, it’s establishing a new standard for health ethics in Australia.

² Collis F, Kennedy M. Keeping research on track? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander accounts of ethical conduct in health and medical research. Melbourne: Lowitja Institute; 2025. Pages 1-44. Available from: https://hubs.li/Q03rZYyv0

Giving children and parents a voice in the fight against cancer

Every year more than 700 families in Australia learn that their child has cancer. Despite treatment advances, there are no standard resources for young children and parents to share their experiences and report unmet
needs in their care. Existing assessments are often adult-centric and not suited to capture the thoughts, feelings and fears of young children. To improve clinical best practice in this area, research was needed to find
more effective ways to enhance the patient experience.

Dr. Jamie Bryant is leading a groundbreaking study that looks to give children with cancer and their families a new voice to improve paediatric oncology care. The study, Assessment to Action: Pioneering Needs-Based Assessment in Paediatric Oncology, is developing the first tools in Australia to help children under 14 and their parents communicate the emotional, practical and informational challenges they face during cancer treatment. The research challenge is also deeply personal for Dr Bryant, whose nine-year-old daughter Eden lives with cancer.

Since recruitment began in mid-2025, the team has already interviewed several parents, children and healthcare providers. Early analysis is already underway, and data collection will continue through to January 2026. The study uses creative, child-friendly approaches such as semi-structured interviews and “body mapping”, an expressive therapeutic technique where children draw a visual representation of their body. Young patients are invited to share what helps and what hurts in their own words, symbols and colours.

The project is proudly supported by HMRI’s fundraising partner, Hunter Children’s Research Foundation, as well as Cancer Institute NSW. The co-designed approach ensures that children and families are central at every stage. By transforming their voices into actionable tools, Dr Bryant’s team aims to help healthcare providers deliver more responsive, compassionate and personalised care for every child facing cancer.

Health Pulse: community-powered research

At HMRI, we believe that the community we serve should also be involved in shaping our medical research.

Health Pulse is an inclusive and focused initiative that allows our community to tell us about the health problems that matter most to them, their families, and their communities. Through surveys and other participatory methods, we can better understand the unique health needs of different groups within our region, including:

• First Nations communities
• Older people
• Young people
• People in rural and regional areas
• Multicultural and refugee groups
• LGBTQIA+
• People with disability

The survey was conducted from May to July 2025 and received more than 2,900 submissions. We are now analysing the data and creating a robust prioritisation framework. We will continue to involve external perspectives as we progress, including through future workshops with key stakeholders. These will help to identify and guide new research to address the community’s top health and wellbeing priorities.

At HMRI, our research services are designed to complement, support and accelerate the journey of discoveries from the lab to clinical practice. These services provide researchers, clinicians and partners with essential expert infrastructure needed to deliver real-world health impact.

Clinical Trials

Our Clinical Trials service is designed to be a streamlined and highly supportive function for the delivery of health and medical research. We partner with academic researchers, clinical teams and commercial organisations to navigate the often-complex process of clinical trials. Our support ensures trials meet the highest ethical and regulatory standards, speeding up the pathway for new therapies and medical breakthroughs to reach patients faster. We transform research ideas into robust clinical evidence that directly improves healthcare delivery.

In 2022, HMRI co-developed a Clinical Trials Roadmap with NSW Regional Health Partners and the University of Newcastle. The roadmap is a resource for researchers and health care professionals who are new to clinical trials and seeking assistance to plan, develop and conduct clinical trials in a public health organisation.

Data Sciences

Our large and highly experienced Data Sciences teams offer the expertise needed to extract maximum value from complex datasets. Our service is structured across two specialised areas:

• Biostatistics provides rigorous statistical design and analysis to ensure reliable conclusions
• Data Management and Health Informatics ensures the secure, accurate and ethical handling of health data.

By leveraging these principles, our team ensures that data can drive new discoveries and inform evidence based decisions.

Our Data Management and Health Informatics team directly supported over 120 studies that moved to production in REDCap at HMRI. They also delivered more than 60 workshops and helped host the ANZ REDCap Conference 2025 in Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Biostatistics delivered critical analytical support for high-impact research including cardiac care, respiratory medicine and oncology, leading to several publications in top journals. The team’s expertise contributed to securing over $29 million in research grants. They also play a vital role in generating clinical evidence, supporting specialist training for advanced clinicians and fostering the next generation of biostatistics leaders.

Health Economics

Our team provides rigorous evaluation of health services and technologies. Working closely with collaborators across the healthcare industry, including university researchers, local clinicians, and commercial partners, we assess the value, efficiency, and sustainability of healthcare interventions across the Hunter New England region, Australia, and globally. By generating high quality economic evidence, we arm decision-makers with the information they need to understand the cost effectiveness of new treatments and the impact of policy changes. These crucial insights inform funding priorities, resource allocation and large-scale healthcare system reforms, ensuring that investments lead to maximum benefit for the community and ultimately drive equitable and sustainable health improvements.

Since 2022 the Health Economics team have completed approximately 40 projects and assisted with more than 26 grant proposals, helping to secure more than $10.3 million in funding. The team also contributed to several academic publications, delivered research presentations and training workshops, including with NSW Regional Health Partners.

Histology

High-quality health and medical research relies on accurate tissue processing, which our Histology service delivers comprehensively. We ensure fast, flexible execution and provide tailored client support and expert advice from start to finish. Researchers benefit from access to high-end equipment, resulting in reproducible slides that are crucial for enhancing and validating discovery outcomes.

Imaging Centre

The imaging technology at HMRI is the best in the Southern Hemisphere, and comes with a specialised team committed to improving health through MRI supported research. We provide high-resolution images using non-invasive methods, which enable new health and medical discoveries and support the development of innovative treatments. Our service offers unique insights into scientific and medical problems that are not available through other means.

Our MRI machine recently underwent a significant upgrade to a cutting edge Magnetom Cima.X Fit system boosting its resolution, speed and functionality to maintain our status as one of Australia’s top research MRI facilities.

Impact and Evaluation

Our Impact and Evaluation service leads strategies designed to rigorously measure the real-world influence of health and medical research across its entire journey from the lab to the bedside. We offer expert support including fit-for-purpose evaluation planning and design using logic models and theories of change. Our methods ensure rigorous data collection and analysis to generate actionable insights. We translate these findings through compelling impact reporting and storytelling, and deliver evidence-backed business cases for change or investment. We also provide practical recommendations for continuous improvement, ensuring research investments lead to maximum effectiveness and sustained policy reform.

In 2024 and 2025, the Impact and Evaluation team delivered 53 workshops, helping to build impact capacity and capability with more than 440 academics, research professionals and clinicians. The team's evaluation of the NSW Health Early to Mid-Career Grant Program heavily influenced drafting of the OHMR evaluation framework. Additional high level presentations on research impact were given at the Australian Council of Deans of Science Research Network, the Australian Academy of Science, the Research Impact Academy, the NSW Health Education and Training e-Learning Program and the inaugural Health Innovations Implementation Science Symposium.