Hard work and experience counts big; that is what has been proved recently by Auckland City Hospital Consultant Hepatologist Prof. Edward Gane, who has marked his victory by winning the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) Beaven Medal for excellence in translational research relating to hepatitis B.

Prof. Gane received the award during the Auckland DHB's Healthcare Excellence Awards yesterday. By the term translational research, we mean the job that is initiated by the researchers to convert the findings of the basic researches in to a medical practice quickly and efficiently.

Professor Gane has been researching since many years for hepatitis B. Reports have confirmed that the professor will start investigating soon if any betterment in surveillance can help in prevention of liver cancer and death rates in Maori due to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

"Professor Gane's research will contribute to an outcome of improved health service delivery for patients infected with hepatitis B virus. The HRC's Beaven Medal is a way of ensuring that Sir Don's life and association with translational medical research is remembered", HRC Chief Executive Dr. Robin Olds said in the media release. Dr. Olds presented the medal to Professor Gane at Auckland District Health Board's Healthcare Excellence Awards held on Thursday, 24 November 2011.

The Beaven Medal has been named after the late Professor Sir Donald Ward Beaven, KNZM, CBE (1924-2009). He will always be recognized for his long-time interest and efforts that he placed in translating research into clinical practice. The award is given annually to professors by the HRC to give respect to Prof. Beaven for his contribution in the same.