Congratulations to Barwon Health STaRR Grant Recipients

Western Alliance is committed to building research and translation capability in Western Victoria. The Supporting Translation of Research in Rural and Regional settings (STaRR) Program is a multifaceted training program at the centre of Western Alliance’s research capability building strategy.

Congratulations to the following Barwon Health health practitioner researchers, who have been awarded 2025 STaRR Seed Grants of up to $5000:

• Megan Battersby, Senior Dietitian, Barwon Health. Effectiveness and costs of a novel program in reducing ED presentations and hospitalisations: an economic evaluation of the Connected Care Program.
• Beth Davidson, Clinical Dietitian, Barwon Health. Understanding dietitians’ perspectives on weight stigma: a qualitative study in regional and rural healthcare services in the Barwon region.
• Jordan Swaney, Mental Health Occupational Therapist, Barwon Health. Barriers and facilitators to vocational support: experiences of consumers and staff.
• Kate van Berkel, Dietitian, Barwon Health. Balancing convenience and care in Gestational Diabetes management: A retrospective evaluation of a three-part evolving model of care using remote patient monitoring in the Geelong region.

We congratulate each recipient and wish them well for their research.