Medibank and La Trobe to create better health in the ‘University City of the Future’

In an Australian-first, Medibank and La Trobe University today announced a new strategic health partnership aimed at supporting our future health professionals, researching better health outcomes for Australians and helping to deliver the University’s visionary City of the Future in Melbourne’s north.

The wide-ranging partnership includes:

• investment in health and wellbeing research opportunities;
• additional training and job opportunities for local and international students;
• supporting the creation of health and wellbeing hubs to University campuses and surrounding communities;
• expanded availability and scope of digital health services to support regional growth, and;
• a sharper focus on the health of La Trobe’s local and international student communities and employees.

Medibank Chief Customer Officer David Koczkar said the healthcare company will deliver comprehensive and coordinated physical and digital health and wellbeing services.

“Medibank and La Trobe University have a shared focus on health and wellbeing which will help to bring La Trobe’s University City of the Future to life. Medibank’s 1,300 clinical and health professionals and our extensive wellbeing partnerships will create a healthier, more connected northern Melbourne community,” Mr Koczkar said.

“Having already invested in medical research through our Medibank Better Health Foundation, this partnership with La Trobe gives Medibank the opportunity to target our support of innovative research and ensure all Australians can benefit from it.”

“As well as supporting La Trobe’s employees and students with our leading health insurance offering, we will also support student development through placements, internships and ongoing learning opportunities.”

La Trobe Vice Chancellor Professor John Dewar said the Medibank partnership will include involvement in the major health and wellbeing hub and the research and innovation precinct on the University’s Melbourne campus at Bundoora.

“The northern Melbourne municipalities of Darebin, Banyule and Whittlesea are rapidly growing and the population is ageing. With these growth challenges comes the need to provide a greater range of health services,” Professor Dewar said.

“La Trobe wants to be a part of the solution and is partnering with Medibank to address this emerging health challenge. The hub will build on La Trobe’s world-class reputation in allied health teaching, learning and research, and revolutionise the provision of local health services.”

“We are also delighted that our students will benefit from this partnership – and be part of this commitment to deliver better community health outcomes.”

About City of the Future

Over the next decade, La Trobe University is evolving into a world-class University City of the Future at our 235 hectare Melbourne campus in Bundoora. The new infrastructure will turn our campus 'inside out' and welcome the local community onto the campus as a place to live, learn, work, socialise and stay healthy.

The $5 billion University City of the Future will create 20,000+ new jobs over 10 years, education facilities for 40,000+ students and additional housing for 12,000 students, staff and private residents.