March 7, 2019  Print

This week, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research opened a new facility designed to support parents as they return to work.













Image: Professor Tony Cunningham, Dr Kristi Griffiths and Kylie Pearson at the Mothers Room launch

The Institute’s first Mothers Room offers parents a space to feed and express, store milk and change their baby, all in a private, comfortable and calm environment.

The Westmead Institute for Medical Research Executive Director Professor Tony Cunningham, and HR Manager Kylie Pearson officially opened the room on Wednesday 6 March.

Professor Cunningham said the Mothers Room is part of The Westmead Institute’s ongoing commitment to support its working families, and is particularly important as The Westmead Institute for Medical Research aims to encourage more women to commence and build long term careers in medical research.

“Our researchers are the lifeblood of our organisation. Without them, we would unable to pursue our potentially life-changing research discoveries,” he said.

“As an organisation, we strive to create and maintain a supportive working environment. As one of Australis’s leading medical research institutes, it’s so important that we do all we can to both attract and retain the brightest research talent.”

“This is one element of our commitment to make sure that new parents in our workplace feel supportedWIMR-Mothers-Room-1.jpg as they return to work.

“I’m very proud to welcome this initiative, and I hope the Mothers Room helps our working parents feel confident that they can care for their children, while still participating in and contributing to life at the Institute and further developing their careers.”

Mrs Pearson said that, as a soon-to-be mother of two, she is certain that her return to work will be made easier by the introduction of the room.

“The Mothers Room is another step forward for us as we strengthen our working environment,” she said.

“I am currently pregnant with my second child, and I know that returning to work can be a stressful time. I am reassured that the room will be there for me to use when I return to work.

“It’s great that new parents can return to work with confidence, knowing that The Institute is behind them every step of the way.”