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Looking back at the J ohn M itchell C rouch F ellowship: the most prestigious research award of the R oyal A ustralasian C ollege of S urgeons
Author(s) -
Boult Margaret,
Babidge Wendy,
Pleass Susan,
Scott David
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
anz journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.426
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 1445-1433
DOI - 10.1111/ans.13229
Subject(s) - medicine , excellence , endowment , political science , law
The J ohn M itchell C rouch F ellowship is a generous endowment made to the R oyal A ustralasian C ollege of S urgeons ( RACS ) by the young neurosurgeon's family, following his death from a brain tumour. In this article, we examine the significance and legacy of the grant since its inception in 1979. This is the highest level of research fellowship awarded by the RACS recognizing early career excellence, as part of its significant research funding programme (over $1.7 million in 2015). J ohn M itchell C rouch recipients have been pioneers in various areas of medicine where they have developed new technologies, established research centres, improved patient safety and military surgery and embraced evidence‐based medicine. The funds they received have directly contributed to research published in numerous highly respected peer‐reviewed journals such as The N ew E ngland J ournal of M edicine ; established new laboratories, helped fund clinical trials and allowed new directions of research to be pursued. Recipients of the J ohn M itchell C rouch F ellowship have been recognized with many awards including 11 A ustralian and N ew Z ealand H onours to date. Many other significant research funds have been subsequently bestowed, including over 120 National Health Medical Research Council ( NHMRC ) grants to A ustralian and N ew Z ealand recipients subsequent to their F ellowship. This article also shows the range of disciplines in which the award has supported cutting‐edge research leading to benefits for patients and health care.