In 2013 we were very proud to establish the Parkinson’s ACT Inc. Award at the ANU Medical School. This award was the inspiration of Dr George Webb, a member of the Parkinson’s ACT management committee. In 2015 it was given a new title in recognition of George’s tireless work for those living with Parkinson’s in the ACT and beyond: the Parkinson’s ACT George Webb Memorial Prize.
This annual award currently provides $2,000 to help a third-year student with a special interest in neurology undertake an elective placement at a centre of excellence in Australia or abroad. See the ANU website for a description of the award and its Terms and Conditions.
The Prize Winners
Prize winner 2013: Fiona Wilkes
Fiona took an elective placement at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Queen’s Square, London, which is a world class centre of excellence in the diagnosis and management of Parkinson’s. Her long term aim was to specialise in deep brain surgery.
Prize winner 2014: Aicee Calma
Aicee took an elective placement at the Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, and the nearby Royal Victoria Hospital in Montréal, Canada, in early 2015. Most of her four-week rotation was spent with the consultant team at the Neurological Hospital.
Prize winner 2015: Kan Yun Wu
Kan Yun Wu spent several weeks in the Neurology Department at Shanghai East Hospital. She spent time in the inpatient and outpatient departments in functional neurology.
Prize winner 2016: Jennifer Robertson
Jennifer had the opportunity to have her medical elective placement in he UK at the National Hospital of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queen Square, London. The placement supervisor was Mr Ludvic Zrinzo, a consultant neurosurgeon who treats a variety of neurological conditions using neurosurgical techniques, including treating Parkinson’s using Deep Brain Stimulation.
Prize winner 2017: Shiwei Huang
Shiwei spent four weeks at the Monash MRI Centre in Melbourne looking at imaging techniques, including for neurodegenerative conditions, with particular reference to Parkinson’s. She also spent some time at the Neurology Department at the Royal Melbourne Hospital.
Prize winner 2018: No award
No award was made in 2018. Awards will continue in 2019.
Prize winner 2019: Celine Olivia
An early interest in neurology developed further in Celine’s second year at medical school when personal contact with Parkinson’s revealed the significant effect of non-motor symptoms on quality of life. Celine is looking forward to numerous encounters with people with Parkinson’s affording a deeper and more holistic understanding of the lived experience.
Prize winner 2020: No award
No award was made in 2020. COVID-19 restrictions introduced difficulties in placements.