When the Clifford Craig 2020 medical research grants were revealed earlier this month, there was a notable absence.
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Rather than presenting his project at the Launceston General Hospital lecture theatre, neurologist Dr Matt Lee-Archer was instead in the emergency department - as a patient.
During a morning group bike ride in Launceston the renowned neurologist got caught up in a stack and was knocked to the ground.
The impact resulted in Dr Lee-Archer fracturing the T12 vertebra in his back and instead of heading to the LGH that morning for work, he was rushed to the ED.
Now on the mend, he said it was a different experience being on the other end of care.
"I knew something bad had happened, I was making a lot of noise," he said.
"I am sure a lot of people around St Leonards Road probably heard me screaming, so I should apologise for that.
"It was a weird situation ... me lying on my back waiting for the ambos to arrive."
With nothing but praise for the LGH staff who took care of him, Dr Lee-Archer said he was fortunate not to have any serious neurological complications.
Now he is preparing to head back to work - including an exciting new research project being supported by the Clifford Craig Foundation.
The randomised controlled trial will explore the use of Exenatide - a commonly used diabetes drug that increases insulin - as an alternative treatment for post-stroke hyperglycemia.
Dr Lee-Archer said the research would allow the LGH to participate in a multicentre trial and could ultimately improve the outcomes for acute stroke care.
"One thing we have known for a long time is after major incidents such as stroke, heart attack or even head injuries, is that people's blood sugar can go up," he said.
"That's even if they don't have diabetes. We also know when a person's blood sugar goes up ... their outcomes are worse in the long run.
"Exenatide could be a safe way to control this, without a lot of other side affects.
"Potentially this is something that could become a standard stroke treatment for patients."
The trial is being conducted in hospitals across Australia and internationally and aims to recruit about 500 patients.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
