From Lived Experience to Lasting Impact: CTC Honoured for Consumer-Led Innovation

18/08/25

The NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (CTC) is proud to announce that Ms Melinda Cruz and Professor William Tarnow-Mordi have received the ACCESS CR Consumer Partnership in Research (CPIR) Inaugural Judges’ Choice Award for Excellence in Consumer Partner Capacity Building for 2025.

 

This prestigious award recognises the transformative work of the Parent Partner Initiative, a pioneering model of consumer engagement in clinical research. Melinda, the first embedded, full-time Parent Partner in any national clinical trials centre in Australia has played a central role in reshaping how perinatal and broader clinical research is co-designed and co-produced.

 

“This award is a powerful recognition of what’s possible when we move beyond tokenism and truly embed consumers as partners in research,” said Melinda. “It’s not just about having a seat at the table—it’s about having a voice that shapes the agenda.”

 

Melinda’s compelling three-minute video submission earned top marks from the CPIR judging panel.

 

“We’re proud to see the Parent Partner Initiative recognised with this national award”, commented Professor Meg Jardine, Director of the University of Sydney NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre. “It reflects our long-standing commitment to embedding consumer engagement across every aspect of our work—from individual trial committees to our Centre-wide strategic Consumer Engagement Advisory Committee. This model strengthens the relevance, quality and impact of our research, and we’re delighted to see Melinda and William’s leadership acknowledged in this way.”

 

In addition, the PLATIPUS Trial Lived Experience Committee, chaired by Melinda, was named a Top 4 Finalist for the Outstanding Consumer Advisory Group Impact on Health and Medical Research award. This recognition highlights the committee’s significant contributions to embedding lived experience in clinical trial design and implementation. View the committee’s entry here.

 

The CTC congratulates Melinda, William, and the entire consumer team on this well-deserved recognition and remains committed to advancing inclusive, consumer-led research that delivers meaningful outcomes for patients, families and communities.