The Chris Silagy Prize


 

Chris Silagy, AO, MD

Chris Silagy (1960-2001) was the founding Director of the Australasian Cochrane Centre, a former Chair of the Cochrane Steering Group and instrumental in Cochrane's development and success. Chris was energetic, positive and inspiring. Before his death in December 2001, Chris expressed a wish for a Fund to be established, to be held by the Monash Foundation. Chris initiated this fund with his own contribution, and requested donations be made to it instead of flowers or other tributes after his death.

Chris requested that this Fund be used to recognise contributions to Cochrane in ways that are often insufficiently recognised; for example, providing administration, management, Colloquium organisation, communication and motivation - in short, the 'glue' that helps to keep Cochrane together. The establishment and perpetuation of the Prize was approved by the Steering Group in April 2002.

The Chris Silagy Prize

The Chris Silagy Prize is awarded at every Cochrane Colloquium to an individual who has made an “extraordinary” contribution to Cochrane's work.

The Prize consists of AU$1,000 (drawn from the Chris Silagy Memorial Fund), a certificate which includes the words 'for an extraordinary contribution to the work of The Cochrane Collaboration', and expenses associated with attending the Colloquium (to be met by Cochrane). Potential recipients of the Chris Silagy Prize are required to have:

  • made an extraordinary contribution to Cochrane;
  • made a contribution that exceeds the expectations of their employment;
  • made a contribution to Cochrane that would not be recognised outside the scope of this Prize;
  • been identified by their peers as consistently contributing to a spirit of collaboration.

Nominations and selection

Nominations should be sent to Sally Green (sally.green@monash.edu) with the name of the Prize in the subject heading. Nominations should include a nominator, two seconders, acceptance of nomination and a one-page supporting document supporting the nomination against the criteria. A selection panel of three individuals is appointed each year from past members of the Steering Group and its advisory committees, and the previous year's Prize recipient (if not conflicted). A governing committee oversees the Prize.

2024 nominations now closed


 

Chris Silagy Prize recipients

2023

Muriah

Muriah Umoquit
Cochrane Central Executive Team

2022

GC

Gail Quinn and Clare Jess
Gynaecological, Neuro-oncology and Orphan Cancer Cochrane Review Group

2021

No prize awarded

2020

Joy Oliver
Cochrane South Africa

2019

Chris Silagy Prize

Anna Noel-Storr
Cochrane Dementia and Cognitive Improvement Group

2018

Karin Dearness
Cochrane Upper GI and Pancreatic Diseases group

2017


Livia Puljak
Cochrane Croatia

2016


Anne Eisinga
Cochrane UK

2015

Jenny Bellorini
Jenny Bellorini
Cochrane ENT

2014


Denise Thomson
Cochrane Child Health

2013


Sally Bell-Syer
Cochrane Wounds

and


Nancy Owens
Cochrane Web Team

2012


Jordi Pardo Pardo
Cochrane Musculoskeletal

2011

Martin Janczyk
Cochrane Web Team and Cochrane Germany 

and 

Juliane Ried
Cochrane Web Team and Cochrane Germany

2010


Chris Mavergames
Cochrane Web Team and Cochrane Germany

2009


Kate Cahill
Cochrane Tobacco Addiction

2008


Rasmus Moustgaard
Cochrane Nordic

2007


Heather Maxwell
Cochrane Vascular

2006


Monica Kjeldstrøm
Cochrane Nordic

2005


Janet Wale
Cochrane Consumer

2004


Sonja Henderson
Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth

2003


Gill Gyte
Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth

2002


Jini Hetherington
Cochrane Executive Team


Governing Committee for the Chris Silagy Prize

  • Sally Green
  • Jini Hetherington (from 2003)
  • Philippa Middleton
  • Jane Russell (Silagy)

Donations to the Chris Silagy Prize Fund

Donations to this Fund are most welcome.

Cheques should be made payable to 'The Silagy Fund, Monash University' and sent to The Development Office, Building 65, Monash University 3800, 246 Clayton Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.

Credit card donations (MasterCard, Bankcard and Visa only) can be faxed to +61 3 9905 2944.  The credit card number should be written clearly, and the fax must include the expiry date of the credit card, the name exactly as it appears on the card, and the card holder's full name and address.

Telephone donations can be made to Sara Kelly, The Development Office, Monash University, University Development and Alumni, on +61 3 9905 9957.

Donors to the Chris Silagy Prize Fund

Individual donors:

Professor Leon Piterman; Mrs Pamela R Herman; Professor Elsdon Storey; Ms Lyn Roberts; Dr Wendy Rogers; Professor David Hill; Ms Frances Fairman; Professor Amy E Zelmer; Mr Eric L Garner, AM; Mrs Suzanne Strangward; Dr Rosemary L Nixon; Mrs Joan M McPhee; Mr John L McPhee; Professor Stephen J Duckett; Ms Pauline Pellegrini; Mr NG Taylor; Dr JL Linn; Dr JS Linn; Ms Margaret F Broadhead; Professor Godfrey Fowler; Mrs Jeannett L Hall; Mrs R Allen; Mr Ken R Strangward; Mr Julian F Coles; Ms Janet Coles; Professor MP Vessey.

Institutional donors:

National Heart Foundation of Australia; Mt Waverley District Scout Association