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SPRINT welcomes new honorary Professor Tim Whitehead

Leading Melbourne orthopaedic surgeon Tim Whitehead recognised internationally for his research into anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, has joined the SPRINT Research Centre as an honorary professor.

SPRINT director Professor David Opar said the honorary appointment will further strengthen the partnership between ACU/SPRINT and the OrthoSports Victoria Institute (OSVi), a multi-disciplinary orthopaedic and sports medicine clinic, which is increasingly important in the Australian research landscape.

"Over the past few years, we at the SPRINT Research Centre have had the pleasure of working in close collaboration with Tim to embed research as a core component of OSVi," Professor Opar said.

"Tim's appointment as an honorary Professor further strengthens and solidifies this partnership which will help to facilitate world-leading research on the management and recovery of musculoskeletal injuries.

"The opportunities to integrate our researchers and research students with Tim and the team at OSVi will provide an exciting platform to conduct research that impacts the community for the better."

Professor Opar said working collaboratively with Mr Whitehead will assist SPRINT to establish a track record in orthopaedic rehabilitation, which will help to diversify and extend the breadth of SPRINT research.

"The access to a large group of participants from clinical populations also has significant implications for large-scale future projects, as recruitment is often a key feasibility issue,'' he said.

"In addition, we hope the honorary appointment will facilitate opportunities to expand the current placements for physiotherapy students to also include exercise science and exercise physiology, enhancing ACU's student experience in those disciplines."

Professor Opar said the partnership will also open additional opportunities for external funding to position the OSVi/SPRINT collaboration as an attractive group for industry funded clinical trials.

OSVi has attracted over $500,000 in funding for clinical trials currently being managed and administered in-house.

As a knee surgeon, Mr Whitehead's interest lies with sporting injuries as well as complex knee procedures such as realignment osteotomy and the management of the dislocated knee.

"I am deeply honoured to receive this appointment at ACU and look forward to continuing our work together at the SPRINT Research Centre," he said.

"This partnership represents a significant opportunity to advance the field of orthopaedic rehabilitation, particularly in areas like ACL reconstruction and complex knee procedures.

"By combining the clinical expertise at OSVi with the cutting-edge research at ACU we aim to deliver outcomes that not only enhance the quality of life for patients but also contribute to the broader scientific community. I am excited to see where this collaboration will take us."