Summit brings leading experts together to shape the future of women’s and children’s health
Monash University and Monash Health yesterday hosted the Monash Women’s and Children’s Health Summit 2026, a special event bringing together over 300 of Australia’s leading researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and sector partners to accelerate breakthroughs in women’s and children’s health.
Held at Monash Medical Centre, the summit explored innovations and evidence-based approaches. Centred in one of the world's most clinically integrated and research-intensive women's and children’s health ecosystems, the joint Monash summit presented a significant opportunity to advance the lifelong wellbeing of women and children across the continuum of care.
The summit was opened and emceed by Monash University Vice-Chancellor’s Professorial Fellow and Chair of the Monash Women’s Health Alliance, Professor The Honourable Jill Hennessy. Monash University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Sharon Pickering, delivered an opening address, in which she highlighted that the day was not just an event, but a declaration of Monash University’s commitment to establish women’s and children’s health as a flagship focus.
“Together Monash University and Monash Health have the brilliant people, focus, track record and capability to significantly move the dial on Women’s and Children’s Health, across Victoria and more broadly,” said Professor Pickering.
“We bring together research and clinical practice at a transformative scale, enabling us to take on the biggest health challenges, in Victoria, Australia, and globally, creating a translation engine in which discoveries and innovation reach patients in hospitals faster than almost anywhere else in Australia.”
L-R: Professor Christina Mitchell AO, Professor Sharon Pickering, Professor The Honourable Jill Hennessy, Professor Eugine Yafele
Monash Health CEO Professor Eugine Yafele also highlighted excellence in women and children’s health partnerships across the Monash Health network, a growing and diverse catchment area serving 1.2 million people living in Melbourne’s southeast. He said the summit showcased Monash Health’s leadership in women’s and children’s health, and the power of partnership to improve care for communities locally and globally.
“Women’s and children’s health is fundamental to the wellbeing of every community, and Monash Health is proud to be leading its advancement,” Professor Yafele said.
“Together with Monash University, we are combining world-class clinical care, research and innovation to improve outcomes for women, children, newborns and families across Melbourne’s south-east and the world. “This summit brings together the expertise, ambition and collaboration needed to shape the future of women’s and children’s health.”
The Honourable Harriet Shing, Victorian Minister for Health, delivered a keynote speech in which women’s and children’s health were affirmed as a state priority. Seven News journalist Estelle Griepink also delivered a keynote speech on the power of storytelling and advocacy in women’s health.
A comprehensive program followed, including a fireside chat on philanthropy and scaling impact in women’s and children’s health, a spotlight on women’s pain research breakthroughs, a flagship plenary session on endometriosis and women’s pain and a discussion on the research, policy and impact globally and locally.
Participants also attended breakout stream sessions in women’s metabolic health, sexual and reproductive health across the lifespan, women’s health in midlife and early life, neurodevelopment and child health equity.
Professor Euan Wallace, Dean of the Sub-Faculty of Clinical and Molecular Medicine at Monash University and Chief Research and Innovation Officer at Monash Health, said that collaboration between research, health systems and policy leaders is essential to accelerating progress in women’s and children’s health.
“The summit brought together many of Victoria’s best clinicians and researchers, all committed to transforming prevention, diagnosis and care,” he said.
“Working together, Monash University and Monash Health are uniquely positioned to lead the agenda in women’s and children’s health, and through it, improve health outcomes through research translation, improved clinical care and transformative health policy.”
Watch some recent research highlights from Monash on women's and children's health.