Join us for an exciting and informative afternoon as the Heart Foundation and the NSW Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN) come together at the Bloomfield Medical Group (Charles Sturt University).

This special event offers a unique dual-session program designed to empower local health practitioners and showcase the incredible cardiovascular research emerging from regional NSW.

Date: Thursday 24th September

Time: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM (inclusive of catered post-event networking)

Location: Bloomfield Medical Group, 1521 Forest Rd, Orange NSW 2800. Room 1112

Heart Foundation Showcase for Health Practitioners

Discover a wealth of resources and support available to you and your patients. This session is your opportunity to connect directly with the Heart Foundation team and learn how our programs can make a vital impact in the New England region.

Time: 12pm-1pm

You will learn about: A range of Heart Foundation programs and initiatives. This is your chance to network with Heart Foundation staff, ask questions, and discover new ways to support your patients and community.

NSW CVRN Regional Research Showcase

Following the Heart Foundation Showcase, we are thrilled to celebrate the Charles Sturt University's role as a CVRN umbrella organisation. This session will shine a spotlight on the groundbreaking work of regional early and mid-career researchers.

Time: 1:30pm-2:30pm. Networking and refreshments to follow.

This showcase will provide:

An introduction to the NSW CVRN and its mission.

A introduction to the Office for Health and Medical Research (OHMR).
A platform for regional researchers to present their latest findings to peers and the wider NSW CVRN community.

Program

Time	Details
12:00 - 12:05pm	Welcome to Event and Acknowledgement of Country. Simon Cowie, Heart Foundation
	Session 1: Heart Foundation
12:05 - 1:05pm	Health for Every Heart: The Heart Foundation’s national vision Simon Cowie, Heart Foundation Heart Foundation Walking Program Simon Cowie, Heart Foundation MyHeart MyLife Program & support for people living with CVD in rural and remote areas Carlie Smith, Heart Foundation Heart Foundation Research Opportunities Dr Sarah Dash, Heart Foundation
1:05 - 1:30pm	Break & Refreshments
	Session 2: NSW Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN)
1:30 - 2:30pm	Introduction to the NSW CVRN Dr Seaky Lim, Centenary Institute Introduction from OHMR Melinda Lyne & Cathy Kellick, Office for Health and Medical Research Introduction from Charles Sturt University Prof Julian Grant, Charles Sturt University The Impact of CVRN Support on an Early Career Researcher Dr Rukshan Mohammed Rafeek, University of New England Cardiac Rehabilitation in Regional Australia: Exploring Patient-Reported Barriers to Attendance and Completion – A Qualitative Study Timothy Miller, Charles Sturt University The Brain’s Plan B: Improving the Collateral Blood Supply in Stroke Dr Alexander Bateman, University of Newcastle
2:30 - 4:00pm	Networking & Refreshments

Be inspired by the innovative research happening in regional NSW and connect with the next generation of leaders in cardiovascular health.

Please note that this is an open event. Guests do not need to be CVRN members to attend

If you are no longer able to attend, please cancel your RSVP using the “Manage order” link in your confirmation email, or notify the event organisers at cvrn@heartfoundation.org.au.

Contact the host of 2026 Heart Foundation and NSW CVRN Showcase: Empowering Heart Health in Regional NSW