Plenary Health celebrates research excellence at Western Health Awards

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Plenary Health was proud to join Western Health in celebrating the achievements of staff and researchers at the 2025 Western Health Research Recognition and Awards Ceremony.

Plenary Health New Footscray Hospital Project Chair Kelvyn Lavelle and Communications and Engagement Manager Kendall Munns attended the event, which showcased the innovation and dedication driving improved health outcomes across Melbourne’s west.

As part of a five-year partnership with the Western Health Foundation during the delivery of the New Footscray Hospital Project, Plenary Health has contributed $300,000 to support scholarships, research grants, fundraising events and other in-kind activities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Lavelle said the partnership reflects Plenary’s deep respect for the people of Melbourne’s west and for Western Health’s dedicated staff.

“Our partnership demonstrates our commitment to the communities Western Health serve – as well as the dedicated Western Health staff that make it all possible. Our respect and admiration for the work you do here is enormous.”

This year, Plenary’s ICU scholarships will support four nursing staff to complete postgraduate intensive care studies: Ali Alharbi and Alanah Rossi (Footscray ICU) and Karen Pena and Luke Surman (Sunshine ICU).

These scholarships go a long way, not only in supporting the recipient’s current studies, but in furthering their career and future study ambitions.

Scholarship recipient Ali Alharbi said, “This scholarship has contributed to me achieving my postgraduate studies and allowed me to further my career in intensive care nursing. I am deeply grateful for this support, which has inspired me to continue advancing in my field and contributing to excellence in patient care.”

Scholarship recipient Karen Pena said, “Receiving a scholarship reinforces my belief that my dedication during my post-graduate studies has genuinely been worthwhile, making all of my efforts feel significant. This recognition has further motivated me to explore additional avenues for future studies and to continue my personal development.”

Plenary Health also funds an innovation grant, empowering Western Health researchers and staff to pursue bold new ideas in healthcare improvement. This year’s recipient, Jack Kain, was recognised for his project Illicit and Legal Cigarettes – A Comparison by Chemical Analysis.

The study will compare concentrations of toxic heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, nicotine levels and fungal contaminants in illicit and legal cigarettes, with the goal of deepening understanding of their health impacts and informing smoking-related public health policy.

“Counterfeit cigarettes are a rapidly escalating issue in Australia,” said Mr Kain.

“Currently we know little about the make-up of this tobacco. This grant will help Australia understand the chemical components of counterfeit cigarettes and how it compares to the legal counterparts. This will help influence health, taxation, and law enforcement policy.”

Plenary Health congratulates all the award recipients and applauds Western Health for its continued leadership in research and patient care.

The $1.5 billion new Footscray Hospital, located at the corner of Ballarat and Geelong Roads, will open to patients in February 2026.

It is being delivered by the Plenary Group-led Plenary Health consortium, in partnership with the Victorian Health Building Authority, Western Health, and Victoria University.