VISITING cardiologist, Doctor Julian Yeoh, has won this year's Victorian Rural Health Awards (VRHA) 'Outstanding Contribution to Rural Outreach Provision Award', in recognition of services provided to the Myrtleford and district community.

The award announced last Thursday, is one of the Rural Workforce Agency Victoria's (RWAV) annual health awards, bestowed to honour a health professional, team or organisation which makes a significant impact through outreach services in rural and regional communities.

Last year's winner, ENT surgeon in the Bairnsdale region, Dr Stephen Tudge, presented the award to Dr Yeoh "for his dedication to rural health and truly patient-centred outreach".

"Specialist heart care in rural communities is a little bit more accessible thanks to Julian; an interventional and structural heart disease cardiologist," he said.

As part of Myrtleford's local cardiology outreach service, Alba Health's Healthy Hearts Program (HHP), Dr Yeoh travels from Melbourne to town to deliver in-person, bulk-billed cardiology clinics since the program launched in July 2024.

"I want to say how truly honoured and excited I am to receive this award," Dr Yeoh said.

"It means so much to me both personally and professionally.

"So far, working in rural communities has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.

"I'm deeply passionate in improving heart outcomes in this area.

"I feel so privileged to support patients who often face challenges accessing consistent, timely and quality cardiac care.

"And so, a big heartfelt 'thank you' to RWAV and my peers, especially Dr Justin and Greta Donaldson and the team at Alba Health in Myrtleford and everyone involved in the Healthy Hearts Program.

"I'm very grateful, but it's their hard work that's really made it happen.

"Your collaboration and shared commitment continue to inspire me every day.

"A thank you to the incredible community of North East Victoria, including Northeast Health Wangaratta, Ramsay Health, your staff, your local GPs and Allied Health professionals."

Dr Yeoh also thanked his team in Melbourne at the Austin Hospital and his wife and family for their ongoing support.

Alba Health was also in the running to win this year's Outstanding Contribution by a Rural Multidisciplinary Team Award.

“We were quite pleased to be nominated for this award," physiotherapist and practice manager, Greta Donaldson said.

“It was good to be in the finals after the hard work from everyone involved in the Healthy Hearts Program.

"We had a great team approach by our nurses, doctors, Diana Cook from High Country Nutrition and Matt Monroe and Rebecca Piazza from Flex-out, who have all been instrumental in delivering the program to our patients."

Ms Donaldson said they were very pleased for Dr Yeoh and glad the Myrtleford community has an opportunity for his skills and expertise to benefit their patients.

Dr Donaldson and Dr Laura Zagorski from the Mount Beauty Medical Centre were also nominated for this year's 'Outstanding Contribution by a Rural GP or Rural Generalist Award'.

Alba Health has been successful to obtain grant funding through Murray Primary Health Network to continue the Healthy Hearts Program and extend into lung health screening.

The program will now be known as the Healthy Hearts and Lungs Program which will run for the next year and will also have additional screening for chronic lung disease.

This is especially important given the potential for agricultural chemical exposure and the area’s history of tobacco farming.