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Dear member, 

Welcome to your June 2026 SOLVE-CHD Monthly Update.

This newsletter brings you the latest progress across SOLVE-CHD projects, along with updates on our events, initiatives, and collaborative efforts.

We welcome contributions from across the network - if you have news, activities, or insights related (directly or indirectly) to the SOLVE-CHD program, please email us at solve-chd.info@sydney.edu.au.

We especially encourage you to share your research highlights and achievements in cardiac rehabilitation and secondary prevention, so we can celebrate and amplify your success across our community.

The SOLVE-CHD team is deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend, Joe Weddell, on the 23rd June.

Joe was a passionate clinician-researcher, nurse, educator, and advocate for improving cardiovascular care, who had recently completed his PhD. Through his work at the University of Sydney, he made meaningful contributions to preventative cardiology, digital health, peer support, and patient-centred research. His commitment to improving the lives of people living with cardiovascular disease was reflected in everything he did, from his research and teaching to his generosity in supporting colleagues and students.

Within the SOLVE-CHD team, Joe was a valued collaborator whose kindness, professionalism, curiosity, and dedication left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working alongside him. His contributions to our research and his genuine care for others will continue to influence our work for years to come.

Our heartfelt condolences go to Joe’s family, friends, students, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time.

Thank you, Joe, for your friendship, your compassion, and your unwavering commitment to advancing cardiovascular health. You will be greatly missed, but your legacy will live on through the people you inspired and the work you helped create.

Rest in peace.

We’re excited to share that our latest 2026 ACRA core components of cardiovascular rehabilitation has now been officially published in the Heart, Lung and Circulation journal. The aim of this position statement is to update the core components of cardiovascular rehabilitation in Australia to reflect societal, technological, and health system changes since its first iteration in 2014, whilst reaffirming the fundamental principles and enduring evidence base. 

This publication adds to the growing evidence supporting improvements in cardiovascular care and highlights the importance of continuing to generate high-quality research that can inform clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.

A huge congratulations and thank you to Dr Dion Candelaria, Prof Julie Redfern, Robert Zecchin and all other authors, collaborators, clinicians, researchers, and consumers who contributed to this work. Collaborative research like this is only possible through the dedication and expertise of an incredible team.

Dr Susie Cartledge's team undertook important work last week in highlighting critical gaps in cardiovascular care on national media.

Their recent study, featured in both The Age and 9News, found that only 19% of patients receiving a cardiac stent attended cardiac rehabilitation, despite overwhelming evidence that cardiac rehabilitation reduces recurrent cardiac events, hospital readmissions and mortality, while improving quality of life. The research also showed that the more cardiac rehabilitation sessions patients attended, the better their 12-month outcomes, reinforcing the importance of both access to and completion of these programs.

A huge thank you to Susie and the entire team on this important contribution, to Brendan Trew for generously sharing his story, and to reporters Henrietta Cook and Stephanie Anderson for covering this crucial work.

Congratulations to Prof Julie Redfern AM on being recognised as one of The Australian Financial Review's Women in Leadership 2026.

This prestigious award celebrates Julie’s outstanding leadership and impact across cardiovascular health, cardiac rehabilitation, research, education, and patient-centred care both in Australia and globally. We are incredibly proud to see her achievements recognised with this well-deserved honour.

Interested in attending the ACRA Annual Scientific Meeting 2026? Don't forget to check out these conference support opportunities offered by ACRA NSW/ACT and SA/NT.

Applications close 3 July 2026

Early-bird registrations are now open for the 74th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.

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