Perinatal Epidemiologist Associate Professor Miranda Davies-Tuck has been awarded a RANZCOG Honorary Fellowship in recognition of her exceptional contribution to women’s health.
Each year The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) presents a selection of nominated individuals with honours and awards to recognise their outstanding service and dedication to advancing women’s health.
The College presented the fellowship on October 20 in recognition of A/Prof Davies-Tuck’s leadership in perinatal research, which has transformed maternity care and advanced equity in pregnancy outcomes.
Making RANZCOG history
As well as being an NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Stillbirth Fellow, she is just the sixth non-clinician to have received this award in RANZCOG’s history.
She received the award from RANZCOG President, Dr Nisha Khot, calling it an incredible honour.
“As a non-clinician researcher, ensuring that the work I do is meaningful and acceptable to clinicians and can shape clinical practice to improve care and outcomes for women is critical,” A/Prof Davies-Tuck said. “This award provides that important recognition.”
“Additionally, in an environment of reduced research funding, increased competition and the need to position yourself as the expert in a space, it reinforces the importance of collaboration and partnerships – truly working together to achieve a common goal.”
Hopes for the future
A/Prof Davies-Tuck states that there have been huge changes and gains to perinatal research over her career to date.
“Re-evaluations of the evidence that underpins the clinical care that is provided, better recognition of lived experience and providing a path forward that aligns evidence with what women and families want from care are among them.”
“I’m very proud to have been among the voices championing the importance of considering equity – rethinking how we provide care and what care looks like, to guarantee equitable outcomes for every mother and her baby, irrespective of their background.
Looking ahead, Miranda is excited to continue advocating and supporting others working in this area and continuing to provide the evidence needed to drive change.
“Addressing structural and social barriers to accessing care, as well as improving our understanding of why certain pregnancy complications exist, is vital to ultimately inform prevention and treatments,” she said.
Many people to acknowledge
As a leading researcher in this area, A/Prof Davies-Tuck says she is incredibly fortunate to work alongside exceptional researchers, clinicians, midwives, and consumer partners who all share a commitment to improving outcomes for women and babies.
“I certainly want to thank Professor Euan Wallace, who took a chance on me 14 years ago and challenged me to find out why certain inequities existed and what the solutions are to address them.”
My colleagues at Monash Health, Monash University, The Ritchie centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand and the Stillbirth Centre for Research Excellence family, of whom there are way too many to name.”
“I was welcomed into the Stillbirth CRE a decade ago as an early career researcher and have been provided many opportunities and support, such that I now get to drive equity-based care to reduce stillbirth nationally.
“Lastly, I would like to thank RANZCOG and President Nisha Khot, who has been a long-time supporter of the research I do, both for this recognition and for acknowledging the important contributions that non-clinician researchers make to improving maternity care.”
