Val and Peter Duncan open the new neuroscience unit
A
life-giving
Gift
at Sydney’s St Vincent’s Hospital
A new neurosciences unit at St Vincent’s Hospital in Sydney has been made possible after Peter Duncan, the founder and Executive Chairman of Pirtek, funded its establishment.
an array of new techniques in the fields of neurobiology, stem cell biology, neuroimmunology, neurovirology and neuropsychology to discover new knowledge.
Mr Duncan, is a former patient of the spinal care section of St Vincent’s Hospital, he admired the level of care and dedication demonstrated by all nursing staff and doctors.
Working closely with the Hospital’s Department of Neurosurgery, the application of discoveries will be used in neurosurgical interventions such as deep brain stimulation and adult stem cell implementation.
Named in his honour, the Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit will focus on turning research into treatments for patients with different diseases. Utilising a multi-disciplinary approach, the Unit’s research program will involve
The aim is to develop treatments for chronic neurological and neurodegenerative disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis, HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorders, Alzheimer’s disease; Parkinson’s Disease and Stroke.
“The Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit will bring benefits to individuals, and to the wider community,” said Mr Duncan. “Its life-saving work will result in lessening patients’ suffering and ultimately alleviating the distress of families with afflicted loved ones.” St Vincent’s Hospital is extremely grateful for Peter Duncan’s vision in establishing The Peter Duncan Neurosciences Research Unit at St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research. The unit was officially opened in midJune with staff from around the world expected to join the new facility in the coming months.
FLUID MAGAZINE JULY 2012 I www.pirtek.com.au
15