PROF JANE MUNRO

Clinical Interests 

Jane has a broad range of clinical interests in both inflammatory and autoimmune diseases as well as non-inflammatory and painful conditions. She specialises in juvenile arthritis, connective tissue diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (Lupus), dermatomyositis, and vasculitis. She also has experience treating non -inflammatory musculoskeletal pains including mechanical joint pains, growth related problems and sports injuries as well as chronic pain, chronic fatigue, hypermobility and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). 

Background and Experience 

Jane is a paediatric rheumatologist with a special interest in pain medicine. She has been a paediatric rheumatologist at the Royal Children’s Hospital since 2005 (Head of Rheumatology 2011-2020), is an Professor at the University of Melbourne and Arthritis and Rheumatology as a Senior Research Fellow at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. She is undertaking research in juvenile idiopathic arthritis, childhood rheumatic diseases and paediatric pain management. 

Jane grew up in Melbourne and completed her medical degree at Monash University with honours. She then completed her training as a paediatrician at the Royal Children’s Hospital along with a Masters of Public Health and training in pain medicine. Jane did paediatric rheumatology training at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Monash Medical Centre. She has a Masters of Health Service Management. 

In 2004, Jane won a Churchill Trust Fellowship and travelled to the leading international paediatric hospitals. She then undertook a National Institute of Clinical Studies Fellowship with a focus on improving clinical care. Jane was the national chair of the Australian Paediatric Rheumatology Group (2010-2015), is on the Clinical Leadership Group (Musculoskeletal) for the Victorian Government Health Minister and past chair of the Victorian Paediatric State Committee. She has an ongoing involvement in teaching medical students and trainee paediatricians as well as her paediatrician colleagues. Jane worked on the Victorian Government COVID Taskforce for healthcare worker infection prevention and wellbeing. 

Practice Philosophy 

Jane believes in building a strong partnership between herself and the young people and families she sees. Jane believes medical care should be individualised for the young person at the centre of any consultation or management decision. She takes a proactive team approach to achieve a positive experience for everyone she cares for. She believes in multi-disciplinary care for children with complex needs and works closely with each family as well as clinicians from different disciplines, particularly physiotherapists, psychologists and occupational therapists. 

As a mum to three children Jane understands the key role parents play as their child’s strongest advocate. Jane is passionate about high quality health care and is always searching for ways to improve her own clinical practice and the Victorian Children’s Clinic. 

When not at work Jane loves being with her kids and husband, reading, planning events and trips, exercising and writing.