The Centre

The AFV Centre for Rheumatic Diseases was founded in 1995 as a joint venture between the Arthritis Foundation of Victoria, the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the University of Melbourne. Each partner has contributed its expertise to support the Centre, recognising the importance of rheumatic diseases and the need to improve the academic profile of Rheumatology in Victoria.

The University of Melbourne provides the academic framework for the Centre, which is located within the University's Department of Medicine (RMH-WH) and the centre is also closely linked with the activities of the Rheumatology Unit of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, one of the largest and busiest Rheumatology departments in Australia, and a range of other organisations.

The Director of the Centre is Professor Ian Wicks, supported by a number of clinical and academic research staff. Associate Professor Richard Osborne leads a musculoskeletal public health research and evaluation program.

The Centre's activities, aimed at fostering clinical and public health research and medical undergraduate and postgraduate education, are supported by this close relationship with the Rheumatology unit, RMH.

While the Centre is not directly responsible for teaching of undergraduate medical students, staff are involved in the clinical and pre-clinical training of these students. The Centre offers a post graduate teaching and supervisory program for Doctoral and Masters degree candidates.

Governance structure

The AFV Centre for Rheumatic Diseases is governed by an Executive Committee comprised of nominated representatives from its partner organisations, The University of Melbourne (2 positions), Melbourne Health (2 positions) and the Arthritis Foundation Victoria (2 positions). In addition the Director of the AFV Centre for Rheumatic Diseases is an ex officio member of the Executive Committee.

The role and functions of the Executive Committee are governed by the formal agreement between the three official partner organisations of the AFV Centre for Rheumatic Diseases. Essentially the Executive Committee oversees the operation of the Centre and acts to ensure the Centre achieves its objectives.

Membership of the Executive Committee

• Professor Ian Wicks (Director CRD)
• Natalie Savin (CEO AFV)
• A/Professor Kim Bennell (Director for Sports Medicine Research and Education, School of Physiotherapy, UM)
• Professor Stephen Graves (Professor of Orthopaedic Research, Department of Medicine (RMH/WH), UM)
• Professor Graham Brown (James Stewart Professor of Medicine, Head of the Department of Medicine (RMH/WH), UM)
• A/Professor Geoff McColl (UM, RMH)

Strategic Objectives

The objectives of the Centre are:

1. To improve the care and well-being of people in Victoria with various forms of arthritis and related conditions.
2. To understand, control and eventually cure and prevent disease causing joint pain and disability by undertaking and stimulating basic and applied research.
3. To improve the understanding of medical students, doctors, allied health professionals and the community of the effects and most appropriate management of joint disease through coordinated educational programs and dissemination of information .

Strategic Aims

The strategic aims of the Centre include:

• To improve the understanding of the biological basis of arthritis and related conditions.
• To improve the quality and effectiveness of health services for arthritis and related conditions.
• To foster clinical research in arthritis and related conditions.
• To improve community education and information sharing for people with arthritis and related conditions.
• To improve medical education in arthritis and related conditions for undergraduate and postgraduate students and for allied health professionals.

Confidentiality

The Centre is covered by the University of Melbourne privacy statement, which can be accessed at http://www.unimelb.edu.au/disclaimer/privacy.html.