Melissa Formosa

Melissa Formosa is a transformative leader within VicHip, the Victorian Hip Dysplasia Registry, whose work has significantly advanced paediatric orthopaedic research in Australia.

Her leadership has been central to the strategic expansion of research activity across Victoria’s four major paediatric hospitals, strengthening collaboration and unifying clinical data systems to enhance the state’s contribution to the Global Hip Dysplasia Registry.

A defining feature of Melissa’s impact is her expertise in the operational core of clinical research. She navigates complex ethics and governance processes with precision, oversees clinical trials and sub-studies, and leads a multidisciplinary team with a strong culture of quality and collaboration. Through her efforts, data capture and sharing across sites have become more streamlined and effective, ensuring Victorian research plays a meaningful role in global efforts to improve outcomes for children with Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip.

Beyond operational leadership, Melissa is also a committed advocate for research sustainability. She actively works to secure resources that enable long-term program continuity, driven by a clear focus on improving patient care and outcomes. Her work helps ensure that research findings are translated into clinical practice, supporting earlier diagnosis and more effective treatment for children.

While based at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Melissa’s work reflects a broader, shared achievement across the VicHip team. She fosters a strong collaborative culture across institutions, consistently reinforcing a child-first approach. Through this, she helps ensure that every child’s care contributes to a growing global body of knowledge in hip dysplasia research. Please join us in congratulating and celebrating Melissa Formosa, a 2026 Hip Legend Award recipient!