A celebration of cardiovascular research excellence

The NSW Cardiovascular Research Network (CVRN) hosted their annual Showcase and Awards Ceremony on the 25 October 2022.

This annual awards event recognises cardiovascular disease research excellence in NSW with the presentation of two Ministerial Awards. This year, the Showcase highlighted the very topical issue of Sudden Cardiac Death; an often-devastating event, occurring without warning and often with no known cause.

NSW Health’s Office for Health and Medical Research Executive Director, Dr Antonio Penna, provided a welcome address, including a personal story about his experience dealing with sudden cardiac arrest in a loved one, the innovative measures the medical community took to save the loved one’s life and the journey that followed for the whole family.

NSW Health’s Secretary Susan Pearce presented the awards of behalf of the Hon. Brad Hazzard, NSW Minister for Health. She spoke about the enormous impact of sudden cardiac death in NSW and the importance of medical research to reduce this burden.

The evening was an opportunity for esteemed researchers to present their research and findings to the 160 guests, and for individuals to share their lived experience with sudden cardiac arrest. Speakers included Associate Professor Jodie Ingles from the Garvan Institute and Greg Page (who some may know better as the Yellow Wiggle!) among many others.

The evening was also an opportunity to formally recognise the contribution of innovative and ground-breaking research by some of NSW’s leading cardiovascular researchers. Professor Jamie Vandenberg from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI) received the Ministerial Award for Research Excellence. The Rising Star Award was given jointly to Dr Clare Arnott from The George Institute for Global Health and Dr Eleni Giannoulatou from VCCRI. All three winners acknowledged the support they received from the NSW Health Cardiovascular Research Capacity Program.

With previous events being postponed due to the pandemic, it was wonderful to attend the entirely in-person showcase held at the Museum of Contemporary Art. Overall, the event was a great opportunity to network and celebrate the promising advances that are being made in the laboratory, in our hospital wards and in public health to manage cardiac arrest and save lives.