Celebrating Excellence in Motor Neurone Disease Care and Research
The inaugural MND Australia Excellence Awards have shone a spotlight on the remarkable individuals advancing care, research, and support for people living with motor neurone disease (MND) across Australia. Announced at the National MND Conference Gala Dinner in Adelaide, the awards recognised outstanding contributions from leaders dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by this challenging condition.
Among those recognised were two members of the Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS). Marnie Graco was nominated for the Early Career Researcher Award, reflecting her growing impact in the field of MND research and her commitment to generating new knowledge that will benefit patients and families into the future.
Associate Professor Nicole Sheers received the Allied Health Professional of the Year Award, a prestigious honour that acknowledges excellence in allied health practice and the profound difference allied health professionals make in the lives of people living with MND. A clinician-researcher within the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne and IBAS at Austin Health, Nicole brings more than 25 years of physiotherapy experience to her work, including over 15 years specialising in respiratory care for individuals with chronic ventilatory failure through the Victorian Respiratory Support Service.
Nicole's award reflects not only her clinical expertise and research leadership but also her enduring commitment to patient-centred care. Her work exemplifies the collaboration, innovation, and compassion that underpin excellence in respiratory and neuromuscular healthcare.
We congratulate Nicole on this well-deserved achievement and recognise Marnie's outstanding nomination. Together, they represent the dedication, talent, and impact of the IBAS community. We also extend our congratulations to the other outstanding finalists and thank all those working to improve outcomes for people living with MND and their families.
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