Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Ageing Catherine King has invited health professionals working in the organ and tissue sector to apply for international training and development opportunities through the Janette Hall Professional Training and Development Scholarship Program.

Ms King said, “This scholarship program provides a unique opportunity for health professionals to benefit from international training and development in the field of organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

“The training being offered this year will stimulate learning in a wide range of interesting topics, including specific training on the clinical and technical aspects of organ, eye and tissue donation for transplantation.

Three applicants from the current round will be selected to undertake international training in 2012 to enhance their levels of knowledge and expertise in this field. Two scholarships will be offered to successful applicants to attend courses run by Transplant Procurement Management in Spain, and one applicant will be sponsored to attend the 2012 European Organ Donation Congress and associated clinical workshops in Croatia.

The Janette Hall Professional Training and Development Scholarship Program is funded by the Organ and Tissue Authority. The Authority established the Scholarship Program in 2011 in memory of Janette Hall, a South Australian Hospital Senior Nurse who became an organ and tissue donor after she died in December 2010.

Ms King said “Janette’s dedication and support of organ and tissue donation lives on through these scholarships, encouraging other health professionals to further their education and involvement in organ and tissue donation and transplantation.

The inaugural round of the Janette Hall Professional Training and Development Scholarship Program enabled two applicants to attend internationally-recognised best practice training programs on organ and tissue donation in Philadelphia and Barcelona.

The closing date for applications is 17 August 2012.

For more information on how to apply the Application Guidelines, Application Form, and an example Scholarship Agreement are available at the DonateLife website.