Helena Ward

Helena Ward

Adelaide Medical School

Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences

Helena Ward completed her PhD in Microbiology at the University of Adelaide and has held post-doctoral positions at The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Flinders University and The University of South Australia.

She is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Adelaide. Helena has experience in curriculum development and assessment design in health professional education and medical science programs. Previous roles include Program Director of the Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology program at the University of South Australia and Heaslip Fellow in Medical Education at Flinders University. Her research experience in health professional education includes outcomes based curricula, interprofessional education, simulation based education and social accountability. Current research projects include:
* Interprofessional education.
* the use of Objective Structured Clinical Examinations in Psychology teaching.

My research focuses on Interprofessional Learning (IPL).   IPL has been defined as occurring “when two or more professions learn with, from and about each other to improve collaboration and the quality of care" (CAIPE, 2002, Barr, 2013). IPL has become a high priority in health care in response to the need for health care professionals to collaborate in order to meet complex patient needs. To be successful, IPL needs to be embedded within the health professional curriculum, rather simply added on.

I have a number of years of experience in IPL, both at Flinders University and at The University of Adelaide. When I worked at Flinders University, I was a member of the Faculty of Health Sciences Interprofessional Education group (which was a collaboration with GP Plus).  This research included the development of an Interprofessional Capability Framework.

My specific interest in IPL is the focus on the patient and how the patient voice is viewed by the various participants in IPL (e.g. students, lecturers, clinical supervisors).

  • Appointments
    Date Position Institution name
    2022 - ongoing Adjunct Associate Professor University of Adelaide
    2015 - 2016 Research Director, Adelaide Health and Simulation Skills Centre University of Adelaide, School of Medicine
    2013 - ongoing Adjunct Senior Lecturer University of South Australia
    2012 - 2022 Senior Lecturer in Medical Education University of Adelaide
    2012 - ongoing Senior Lecturer University of South Australia
    2008 - 2012 Heaslip Fellow in Medical Education Flinders University
    2002 - 2006 Program Director, Medical & Pharmaceutical Biotechnology University of South Australia
    2001 - 2008 Senior Lecturer in Biotechnology University of South Australia
    1999 - 2001 Communications Manager Cooperative Research Centre for Tissue Growth and Repair
    1997 - 1999 Senior Research Associate CRC for Tissue Growth and Repair, Flinders University
    1995 - 1997 NH&MRC Research Officer Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University
    1994 - 1995 Lecturer University of Adelaide, Waite Agricultural Researcher Institute
    1992 - 1993 Research Officer University of Adelaide, Waite Agricultural Researcher Institute
    1990 - 1992 MRC Research Fellow London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
    1988 - 1990 NH&MRC Research Officer University of Adelaide

  • Awards and Achievements
    Date Type Title Institution Name Country Amount
    2019 Recognition Distinguished Service Award The Australian Society for Microbiology Australia -
    2007 Teaching Award UniSA Excellence in Teaching Award University of South Australia Australia -
    2006 Teaching Award UniSA Quality Teaching Award University of South Australia Australia -
    2006 Teaching Award UniSA Supported Teacher Award University of South Australia Australia -

  • Education
    Date Institution name Country Title
    1984 - 1988 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD
    1982 - 1982 University of Adelaide Australia BSc (Honours)
    1979 - 1981 The University of Adelaide Australia Bachelor of Science

Teaching Grants 

Date Title Investigators
2007 Simulating Experiential Learning: Role-Play or Simulated Face-to-Face Interaction Deepa Rao, Joe Whitehouse, Adam Philips and Helena Ward
2007 Mind mapping: Enhancing student engagement and linkage of scientific knowledge Maurizio Costabile and Helena Ward
2011

Onkaparinga Clinical Education Program – Christies Beach High School Wellbeing Centre Ground work Project. Amount awarded: $10,000

 Sarah Mahony, Sharon Goldman, Julie Ash, Michelle Campbell, Iris Lindemann, Helena Ward, Jane Hiatt, Chris Leach
2009

Developing collaborative interprofessional education: From the classroom to the workplace.  Amount awarded: $10,000

Flinders University and Southern Adelaide GP Plus Health Care Centres. Southern Knowledge Transfer Partnership, Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University and Southern Adelaide Local Health Network.

 Other Grants

Project Investigators Amount
ClinEdSA Simulated Learning Environment Program: SLE for ATSI Primary Health Care Certificate Program Simon Patten; Helena Ward 50,000
ACEM More Doctors for Emergency Departments Program: Rural and remote South Australian emergency medicine education training proposal Simon Patten; Helena Ward; Professor Jonathan Newbury; Anu Kumar; Tobias Otto 181,818
Rural and Remote Seed Funding Grant Scheme: Rural and remote South Australian emergency medicine education training proposal Simon Patten; Helena Ward; Jonathan Newbury; Anu Kumar; Tobias Otto 44,000
Date Course Title Role
2010-2012 Master of Clinical Education Lecturer: Advanced Curriculum Design
2010-2011 Bachelor of Clinical Studies Course Coordinator
2009-2012 Research Skills in Clinical Education, Master of Clinical Education Topic Coordinator
2002-2008

Communication in Biosciences

Research Methodology  

Commercialisation of Biotechnology 

Medical Biotechnology

Molecular Pathology

 Course Coordination and Lecturing
2002-2006

Bachelor of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology

 Program Director
2002-2004 Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Honours Coordinator
1994

Pathogenesis of Animal Diseases. Department of Animal Science, Adelaide University

 Lecturer
1990-1992 Molecular Diagnostic Techniques, Recombinant DNA.  M.Sc in the Applied Molecular Biology of Infectious Diseases Tutor & Demonstrator
1983-1987 Microbiology, Molecular Biology.  University of Adelaide Demonstrator

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2021 - ongoing Member Interprofessional Learning COP The University of Adelaide Australia
    2016 - ongoing Representative Australian Society for Microbiology SA Committee Australian Society for Microbiology Australia
    2015 - ongoing Representative ASM Education Special Interest Group Australian Society for Microbiology Australia
    2015 - ongoing Co-Chair ANZAPHE conference 2017, organsing committee Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators Australia
    2011 - 2013 Member ASM National Scientific Conference, Organising Committee Australian Society of Microbiology Australia
    2010 - 2010 Member Global Community Engaged Medical Education Muster Flinders University Australia
    2009 - 2012 Member Faculty of Health Sciences Interprofessional Education group Flinders University Australia
    2008 - 2011 Secretary Australian Collaborative Education Network, SA branch - Australia
    2008 - 2011 Secretary Ausbiotech Committee - SA branch - Australia
    2004 - 2006 Chair Australian Society of Microbiology - SA branch - Australia
    2000 - 2004 Member National Science Week Organising Committee (SA branch) - Australia
    1999 - 2003 Secretary Australian Institute of Biology - Australia
    1998 - 2008 Member Australian Society of Microbiology (SA Branch) - Australia
    1997 - ongoing Member National Scientific Conference, Organising Committee Australian Society of Microbiologists Australia
Connect With Me
External Profiles