Women and Infants Research Foundation has been named the Western Australian winner for this year’s Telstra Best of Business Awards, recognised for its outstanding impact on the health of women, babies and families.
WIRF received the top honour in the Championing Health category, which celebrates organisations leading the way in driving innovation and meaningful change in health outcomes across Australia.
As a WA State Winner, WIRF will go on to represent the state at the national Telstra Best of Business Awards set to take place in November.
Based at King Edward Memorial Hospital in Subiaco, WIRF is one of the country’s leading independent medical research institutes, dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of women, babies and their families.
WIRF is driving life-changing discoveries through world-class research, education and community programs, and one of its chief areas of focus is preterm birth prevention and advancing treatments to improve long-term outcomes for premature babies.
The foundation’s work also extends to endometriosis and gynaecological cancers, perinatal mental health, and First Nations maternal and family health, addressing some of the most pressing and under-recognised challenges facing women’s health today.
WIRF chief executive Deb Portughes said the award was an acknowledgement of the foundation’s commitment to creating a healthier future for women, babies and their families.
“We are incredibly honoured to be recognised among Western Australia’s most impactfulorganisations,” Ms Portughes said.
“This acknowledgement reflects the dedication of our small but passionate foundation team, our world-class researchers, our clinical, research and community partners, and our generous supporters who share our vision of giving every baby the best possible start to life, every woman the brightest future, and every family the opportunity to thrive.”
As part of its commitment to women's and babies’ health, WIRF awarded $260,000 to several WA research projects in September.
The new funding will support five innovative projects spanning ovarian cancer, chemotherapy-related side effects, childbirth trauma, rare diseases and neonatal health.
