Monash Vice-Chancellor's Visit to Alfred ICU

Today, I had the chance to photograph Monash University Vice-Chancellor Professor Sharon Pickering's visit to The Alfred ICU

Direct dialogue between university and hospital leaders

A Special Visit

Professor Pickering's visit on May 16 wasn't ceremonial. She was there to explore collaborative clinical research opportunities between Monash and The Alfred. After ICU Consultant Professor Jamie Cooper presented, Alfred ICU Director Professor Steve McGloughlin and Service Director Ms Tania Birthisel took her through the unit.

I've worked with Professor McGloughlin and his team several times before. They're incredibly professional and accommodating, which makes documenting these types of visits much smoother. The Alfred ICU team just gets on with their work while managing whatever else is happening around them.

Professor Pickering addressing Monash and Alfred staff during the Q&A session

Straightshooter Sharon

What stood out was Professor Pickering's approach to the Q&A session. She was open to direct questions from staff, and the Monash team didn't hold back. Her responses were clear and direct - no corporate speak, just honest answers about collaboration opportunities.

As someone who spends time photographing various institutional meetings, you learn to spot the difference between genuine dialogue and rehearsed exchanges. This was definitely the former.

The ICU walkthrough, Professor Pickering received firsthand insights into the collaborative research opportunities that define the Monash-Alfred partnership

Working in Clinical Environments

Photographing in an ICU requires careful consideration. Patient privacy is non-negotiable, and every shot needs to respect the clinical setting while capturing what's important about the visit.

The key is understanding how medical environments work - when to move, when to stay put, and how to document both formal presentations and informal conversations without disrupting patient care. When you're working with busy medical professionals, be nice!

The Vice-Chancellor's ICU tour brought together leaders from both institutions in Alfred's state-of-the-art facilities

Why Document These Visits

For both Monash and The Alfred, these images help communicate their research partnership to stakeholders and the broader community. But beyond that, they create a record of how institutional collaboration actually works - the conversations, the tours, the questions that drive meaningful partnerships forward.

The Value of Real Moments

It's satisfying work when the interactions are authentic and the partnerships are built on actual shared goals rather than just formal agreements.

Professor Pickering and Professor Cooper from ANZIC-RC