Medical Staffing International - NZSTA Post-Graduate Award

Awards winner demonstrates long-term dedication.

This year's Medical Staffing International NZSTA Post-Graduate Award was presented to a PHD student who has made a three year commitment to intensive research.

Bronwen Kelly, currently in her third year of PHD studies within the University of Canterbury's, Department of Communication Disorders, is researching "the role of the cortex in the co-ordination of breathing and swallowing across the human lifespan". This research aims to gain a greater understanding the brains involvement in breathing-swallowing coordination and will ultimately assist in the identification of abnormal processes. "Since there are links between adequate cardiorespiratory control and efficient and safe swallowing, the importance of considering breathing problems in infants and adults with swallowing disorders cannot be overemphasized." says Bronwen

A large part of her project has included monitoring the breathing and swallowing coordination of infants from birth to one year of age - a study for which she received an award at the 2004 Australasian Winter Conference on Brain Research. Bronwen expressed her gratitude to all the babies and their mothers who were involved. She also thanked those adults who participated in overnight sleep studies.

Bronwen is very pleased to have won the Medical Staffing International NZSTA Post-Graduate Award and thanked the sponsors. She says the recognition carries prestige "It will contribute to my career development and in doing so it will help to raise profile of our profession," she enthuses.

The enterprising therapist completed her honors degree in Logopaedics at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and migrated to New Zealand in 1999 where she practiced clinically for three year's before completing a master's degree at the University of Canterbury.

Kirsten Thomforde, Director of Medical Staffing International, a specialist recruitment firm for therapists, congratulates Bronwen Kelly on her efforts. "We aim to recognise those who contribute to their discipline, and Bronwen is a great example of that," says Kirsten.

Stella Ward, who is President of the NZSTA and was involved in the judging, says that Bronwen was selected for the recognition largely because of the importance of her work. "Paediatric dysphagia is a relatively new area of practice and the work carried out will add to the body of knowledge that will assist clinicians in the future," says Stella, who believes that Bronwen demonstrates strong intellectual capabilities while also possessing the ability to turn research findings into practical information for clinicians. "Bronwen is a shining star of the profession who will raise its profile in the future," says Stella. "She shows great commitment to research, the profession, and the association."

In recognition of the support that has been offered to Bronwen through her studies, she wished to thank her supervisors, Dr Maggie Huckabee of the University of Canterbury and Associate Professor Richard Jones of the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB), both of whom are affiliated with the Van Der Veer Institute for Parkinson's and Brain Research where most of her research was carried out. She also wished to thank Associate Professor Christopher Frampton, of the University of Otago for statistical support and Mr Grant Carroll, of the CDHB for his help with the adult component of her study. Bronwen also feels indebted to her fellow undergraduate and postgraduate students who were involved in the study.

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