Internationally renowned dietician and nutritionist Dr Merrilyn Banks has received double recognition for her contribution to improving healthy eating choices in hospitals at a special QUT ceremony in Brisbane today.
Dr Banks was named QUT's Outstanding Alumni Award winner for the Faculty of Health and also received a Special Excellence Award.
Through her research, Dr Banks has highlighted the importance of nutrition in the management of hospital and aged care patients. She was instrumental in the establishment of Queensland Health's Malnutrition Prevention Program from 2010-2012.
She has been a trailblazer in improving the quality of food services for hospital and aged care patients, being instrumental in the establishment of a Statewide Food Services Policy and Planning Unit and leading the development of food service policy and standards for Queensland healthcare facilities.
Dr Banks is a co-author of the Malnutrition Screening Tool now routinely used in Australia and internationally in hospital and aged care settings.
Her research has demonstrated an unequivocal link between nutrition, pressure ulcers and the economic costs of treatment.
As a result, she was invited to participate in the development of international guidelines for the prevention and treatment of this condition through membership of the Nutrition Working Group of the 2014 EPUAP-NPUAP.
Dr Banks has also led the development of policy and standards for patients of Queensland Health who require specialised high cost nutrition products when discharged from hospital to ensure equitable and affordable access to these products. This service sets the benchmark nationally.
Dr Banks also advocated the inclusion of nutritional care criteria in the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, and then participated in the development of the criteria and supporting guidelines.
This work earned her the 2011 Australian Dietitians Association of Australia Outstanding Contribution Award.
She has been Adjunct Associate Professor in the School of Public Health at QUT since 2010.
Dr Banks has authored or co-authored numerous publications and won over a $1 million in research grants. She is one of only 50 advanced accredited Practising Dietitians in Australia and an NHMRC Professional Research Training Fellow.
In 2006, she also received the Barbara Chester Memorial Award for her outstanding contribution to the profession.
Dr Banks gained a PhD, Master of Health Science and Graduate Diplomas in Nutrition, Dietetics and Science Teaching from QUT and the Brisbane College of Advanced Education. She also holds a science degree.
The Outstanding Alumni Awards recognise outstanding graduates of the university and its predecessor institutions, who have displayed exceptional professional, academic or research achievements and contributions to the community.
Media contacts:
- Sandra Hutchinson, QUT media officer (Tue/Wed), 07 3138 9449 or media@qut.edu.au
- Rose Trapnell, QUT media team leader, 07 3138 2361
