Monash Children's Hospital

This National Reconciliation Week, the foyer at Monash Children’s Hospital was filled with learning, creativity, and community, aimed at raising awareness and beginning conversations about what reconciliation means.

The response was incredible.

Patients, families, carers, and staff took part in activities celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and our shared commitment to cultural safety and reconciliation.

The activities, organised and led by staff from Monash Children's Hospital School, included:

📖 storytelling and reading — sharing First Nations stories and voices

🧠 a yarning circle — a space to listen, reflect, and connect

🎵 songs and language — singing 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Foot' in a First Nations language

🎨 art and craft — painting First Nations-inspired ceramic artworks and recreating traditional Aboriginal symbols using clay

📝 and an 'I’m In' action commitment wall — where our community wrote personal pledges for reconciliation.

The pledges said it all ✨

✍️ ‘Work on reconciliation during the year — not just for one week.’

✍️ ‘Educate my family on reconciliation and how we can all be brave.’

✍️ ‘I will listen to a First Nations podcast and share my learnings with colleagues.’

And from the families who joined us 💬

‘This has inspired me to talk to my kids at home about reconciliation.’

‘None of this was taught when I was at school — it is so important to see the truth-telling and the celebration of culture.’

‘I’m impressed that it is happening and love the learning involved.’

Thank you to the team at Monash Children’s Hospital for organising this meaningful event.

We're All In 💛❤️🖤

On International Clinical Trials Day, we celebrate the incredible work happening right here at Monash Children's Hospital, and the families who make it possible.

Monash Children's Hospital is proud to be home to two dedicated clinical trials centres — the Monash Children's Clinical Trial Centre (MCCTC) and the Children's Cancer Centre — each bringing cutting-edge research directly to the children and families in our care.

At Monash Children's Clinical Trial Centre (MCCTC), we typically coordinate 20+ active clinical trials across 12 paediatric specialities, including neurology, rheumatology, cardiology, nephrology and more.

Our purpose-built, child-friendly facilities are designed so that accessing the latest medical innovations feels as safe and supported as possible.
‘Access to high-quality, ethically approved clinical trials can have a profound impact on children with serious health conditions, offering early access to innovative and potentially transformative therapies,’ said MCCTC Medical Lead Associate Professor David Metz.

‘That’s why we do everything we can to minimise pain or distress during trial-related procedures, helping families access the latest health innovations in a safe, supportive and child-centred environment.’

In the last 3 years, we have hit some remarkable milestones:

✅ A new inpatient day ward enabling procedural sedation, infusions and pharmacokinetic sampling

✅ Australia's first combined Genetics and Clinical Pharmacology registrar, bridging the gap between diagnostics and therapeutics with the increasing availability of gene and related therapies

✅Victorian Government funding of $2 million to establish the Victorian Paediatric Clinical Trial Network, connecting Monash Children's Hospital, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, and Barwon Health to improve access to trials for kids across the state

At our Children's Cancer Centre, there are over 65 research projects and 20+ active clinical trials aimed at improving the prospects of children diagnosed with cancer.

‘Over the past 100 years, research has resulted in many cancer diagnoses in children becoming curable. Our goal is now to continue improving survival rates, but to also decrease treatment toxicities and long-term effects,’ said Children's Cancer Centre Clinical Trial Lead Amanda St. John.

To every child, young person, and family who has trusted us with their care, thank you. It is an honour and a privilege.

Baby Kareem is home in time for Mother’s Day!

Born at 22 weeks and 2 days gestation, he spent 146 days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Monash Children’s Hospital.

There were big smiles and joyful tears on the ward, as the NICU ‘graduate’ headed home this week dressed in a graduation gown and cap.

'I am going to soak up all the cuddles and enjoy just being at home with my baby after so long at the hospital,’ said first-time mum, Amour.

‘The NICU staff were amazing. With it being such an emotional and vulnerable time for us parents, it's been quite difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. But they've kind of been like my backbone while I've been here.’

Amour’s mum, Dianna, was on hand as the new parents farewelled staff. She is revelling in her new role as grandma and has a little something special planned for her daughter on her first Mother’s Day as a mum.

To Amour and husband, Basem, مبروك (congrats) on becoming parents. We wish you every happiness.

Today, we celebrate mothers everywhere. We extend our thanks to the mums in our teams who balance family life with work.

We also acknowledge that Mother's Day is a difficult time for many people. For those who have experienced loss, faced struggles with conception, or are missing their mothers today, we hold you in our thoughts.

🏆 Huge congratulations to Associate Professor Atul Malhotra, head of our Early Neurodevelopment Clinic at Monash Children's Hospital, on being awarded the prestigious Fulbright Australia Coral Sea Scholarship.

This highly competitive 4-month scholarship will take Associate Professor Malhotra to Harvard Medical School and the University of Texas McGovern Medical School, where he will work alongside world-class colleagues to advance a clinical trial that could change the lives of some of our most vulnerable patients: extremely preterm babies.

The trial will evaluate the effectiveness of using extremely preterm infants' own umbilical cord blood cells to improve their survival and developmental outcomes.

Associate Professor Malhotra’s team has already shown that this approach is feasible and safe.

The next frontier is the CORD-CELL RCT, a landmark international, multicentre randomised controlled trial spanning Australia, Singapore, Canada, and the United States, with Monash Health as the first recruitment site in the world.

‘By expanding our research footprint into the US and beyond, we are accelerating the delivery of potentially life-changing neonatal cell therapies to families worldwide,’ said Associate Professor Malhotra.

This recognition reflects not just Associate Professor Malhotra’s remarkable clinical and scientific achievements, but his commitment to building a team, mentoring PhD and Honours students, co-leading the multidisciplinary Newborn Cell Therapies Group, and bringing others along on this journey.

To read more about Associate Professor Malhotra’s achievement, please see the link in our comments🔗

May the fourth be with you! 💫

Today we had some very special visitors at Monash Children’s Hospital from a galaxy far, far away.

Conquering the galaxy for good - members of the 501st Legion Knightfall Garrison were hosted by the Monash Health Foundation, storming our wards to the delight of patients, families and care teams 🩵

At Monash Health, we know it is the small things our team do that can make a big difference to patients and their families 💙

Patient Experience Week, from Monday 27 April to Friday 1 May, is a chance for all of us to celebrate and recognise our people for moments of significant kindness, care, and dedication to patient experience.

If you, or a family member, have experienced a team member going above and beyond in their role, we invite you to nominate them for a Service Excellence Award ✨

Nominate them and outline the difference they made to your care at: https://cutt.ly/ktJLHzMd

Today, on Anzac Day, we honour those who have served and are currently serving in the military.

This includes the many healthcare professionals, including some of our colleagues, who have served and continue to serve around the world.

We recognise the sacrifice made by healthcare professionals in current and historical military efforts.

Across major Monash Health sites we will observe a minute’s silence and read The Ode of Remembrance.

Lest we forget.

The Monash Health Foundation is thrilled to be hosting our signature fundraising event for 2026 – the Monash Children’s Hospital Shine Gala ⭐

Join us on Saturday 13 June at the elegant Sofitel Melbourne on Collins for a spectacular evening of entertainment and fundraising, in support of our very special hospital.

This year, this incredible evening will support patients and families in our Paediatric Cleft and Craniofacial Anomalies Service at Monash Children’s Hospital.

Funds raised will make a meaningful difference to children born with a cleft lip and/or palate — a congenital condition that can affect a baby’s ability to feed, speak and hear.

These children often face long-term and complex treatment journeys involving multiple surgeries and ongoing care throughout their childhood.

Your support will mean more families will receive the specialised treatment and guidance they need during what can be an incredibly challenging time, with:

🖨️ New 3D printing for precise documenting and surgical planning.

📝 Patient-held care plans to support and empower families along their journey.

🧠 Introduction of a dedicated Clinical Psychologist to support mental health and wellbeing.

💬 An additional Speech Therapist to improve language and developmental outcomes.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Introduction of a Child Life Therapist to ease anxiety during clinical procedures.

You can buy your tickets today or donate by heading to the link in our comments 🔗

Are you ready to make every step count? Lace up for a cause and join us for Run Melbourne 2026 🏃‍♀️

We are looking for passionate people to join the Monash Health Foundation at this year’s Run Melbourne on 19 July and become Charity Superstars.

Choose your challenge and run alongside your friends, family and Monash Health care teams and work together towards a goal that will directly support our patients and their families 💙

By fundraising for Monash Health, you will make a positive impact on the care we provide for our community every day.

👉 Register today and start training by heading to the link in our comments