Ben Dixon to lead new academic research program focused on head and neck surgery

Above: Prof Ben Dixon

The University of Melbourne (UoM) in partnership with St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne (SVHM) and the Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Memorial Foundation has announced the appointment of Professor Ben Dixon as the inaugural Garnett Passe and Rodney Williams Professor of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery.

Under his leadership, a new academic program will operate through the Melbourne Medical School, which forms part of the Department of Surgery at SVHM.

The program will focus predominantly on head and neck cancer and skull base surgery research. 

Aimed at developing both undergraduate and postgraduate research initiatives, Prof Dixon said the program will enable improved access to clinical trials, create more opportunities for medical students and junior doctors to contribute to research projects, and encourage greater collaboration with engineers to bring new technologies to the operating theatre.

“I am excited and honoured by this appointment. It allows me to lead a research team who are investigating some of the fundamental issues that impact on the delivery of best head and neck cancer care. Through this unique program, we can harness the amazing clinical practice and expertise of St Vincent’s and combine it with one of the best medical research universities to perform world-leading research,” said Prof Dixon, SVHM Director of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery.

Prof Dixon is a distinguished Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. After completing his specialist training in Australia, he pursued a PhD at UoM, which he continued during his Post Fellowship training in Toronto, Canada. He spent two years in Toronto furthering his training in Head & Neck Cancer and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, receiving an American Head and Neck Society Fellowship Diploma.

His doctoral research focused on the impact and implementation of novel surgical navigation technologies in skull base surgery, laying the groundwork for his ongoing research endeavours.

Partnership prowess

The new partnership will serve as a catalyst for growth in surgical academia and treatment in ear, nose and throat (ENT) and head and neck surgery.

SVHM Chief Executive Nicole Tweddle has welcomed the appointment of Prof Dixon, adding he is an outstanding choice as the inaugural Professor.

“St Vincent’s is proud to be partnering with the University of Melbourne and the Passe & Williams Foundation to invest in the leadership of academic surgery. This important appointment will build on St Vincent’s strong reputation as a leader in ENT and Head and Neck surgery in Australia,” Nicole said.

Dr Jeanette Pritchard, CEO of Passe & Williams Foundation – a charitable foundation focused on improving peoples’ lives by advancing ENT research, surgery and care – said the Foundation is delighted with Prof Dixon’s appointment.

“We have no doubts that Ben’s contributions to ENT research, education and clinical practice will have great impact, both across this region and further afield," Dr Pritchard said.

Professor Sarath Ranganathan, Head of the Melbourne Medical School in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne, also commended Prof Dixon’s recent appointment, affirming that his leadership will continue to uphold the University’s commitment to academic excellence.