Supporting researchers, securing funding and helping turn evidence into better care are all part of the job for Michelle Palmer who recently joined the Bayside Health Service team.
As Research Capability Officer, Michelle is helping review grant applications and supporting a diverse range of research projects.
"I've always enjoyed providing research support to people who are looking for answers and working to improve care," she said. "It's incredibly rewarding to see someone complete their first project, present at a conference or publish their first paper.
"A former student recently helped publish national guidelines in the area she researched during her PhD.
"Seeing how far she had come, and the impact her work is now having on patient care, was a reminder of why I do what I do."
Michelle said research and quality improvement played an important role in strengthening healthcare services.
"Every improvement, no matter how small, can benefit patients, staff and the broader health system. It's about finding better ways of doing things and making a real difference to people's lives."
The call for abstracts is now open for the Bayside Health Service Research Symposium. This is an opportunity to showcase your research or quality improvement across Bayside Health Service.
Submissions can be made online via Oxford Abstracts, please note that you must create an account to submit an abstract. Submissions close Monday 7 September 2026.
This year’s Symposium will be held on 11 November 2026 at the Redland Hospital, UQ Tutorial Rooms, Weippin Street, Cleveland.