Leading international researcher wins Canterbury Innovation Medal
August 1, 2014
A leading New Zealand communications disorders researcher who has improved the quality of life of patients and made
financial savings for the health care industry has won the University of Canterbury’s Innovation Medal for 2014.
Dr Maggie-Lee Huckabee, who is a world leader in cough-reflex research of stroke patients, will receive her medal at the
Chancellor’s annual dinner later this year. The university council approved the medal this week.
Dr Huckabee’s world-class research seeks to prevent pneumonia in post-stroke or post-surgical stroke patients. Her work
is nationally and internationally recognised and she has led clinicians from district health boards across New Zealand
to change protocols.
In the Canterbury District Health Board alone, the rate of pneumonia for patients who struggle to swallow following
strokes dropped from 26 percent to 11 percent in a three year time period following implementation of her research
results.
This has resulted in a potential cost savings to the national health system of about $1.4 million. This innovation has
not only improved patient outcomes and reduced health care costs, but has facilitated a culture of research and
innovation for frontline clinicians, which is a key priority for the New Zealand Health Research Council.
Dr Huckabee’s ongoing engagement with the clinical community to translate international and domestic research into New
Zealand health care has produced a positive outcome for frontline clinicians.
Dr Huckabee’s nomination received support from hospitals and speech therapists from around New Zealand and overseas.
Previous university medal winners are Professor Keith Alexander (spring free trampoline), Professor Tim Bell (computer
science unplugged) and Professors Andy Buchanan and Stefano Pampanin and Dr Alessandro Palermo (pre-stressed laminated
timber).
ends