For Dr Sidharta, cardiology has never just been about medicine; it’s been a lifelong commitment to the health and wellbeing of Australia’s regional communities.
After a career spent serving the heart health of regional Queenslanders, Dr Sidharta is now taking the same dedication to the global stage, shaping the future of heart disease prevention.
Based at the Rockhampton Hospital, Dr Sidharta is leading a landmark clinical trial investigating medications designed to prevent heart failure before it begins.
The trial has the potential to transform the health trajectory of participants, offering hope that heart failure can be avoided, especially for those in regional areas who often face higher health risks.
Clinical Director of Cardiology at Rockhampton Hospital Dr Sidharta said the study was an exciting step forward for cardiac care in regional communities.
“Developing this trial makes us the first hospital in Central Queensland to establish the capability,” he said.
“We are proud to be one of the primary recruiting sites out of 850 sites across 35 countries and we are the one of three regional sites in the nation to be involved in this study.
“With more than 460 Central Queenslanders experiencing heart failure each year, this trial is an absolute game-changer for local families.
“We have an Indigenous patient in our trial with significant cardiovascular risk, and participating in this trial could improve both their health outcomes and address health inequities.”
Dr Sidharta said he was passionate about preventative cardiology, especially for rural and regional areas like Central Queensland.
“Many clinical trials unfortunately tend to exclude regional patients due to challenges with travel and attending appointments,” he said.
“Bringing this clinical trial to Central Queensland improves health equity for regional patients, offering access to new medications, interventions or devices that were previously out of reach due to either cost or the tyranny of distance.
“Because they have access to better clinical care, monitoring and follow up, they achieve better health outcomes.”
Dr Sidharta said he was proud of his small but mighty team for delivering an international trial in collaboration with Queensland Health’s Public Heath Unit.
“This trial proves that despite limited resources, strong collaboration, teamwork and passion can, and does, deliver better health outcomes,” he said.
“We want to show future staff that a career in Central Queensland offers more than just a job; it provides opportunities to practice at your highest scope, access to quality training, exposure to cutting-edge science and career progression.”
Dr Sidharta is a prime example of this professional growth, with a career trajectory rooted in his early life and a deep commitment to regional medicine.
Dr Sidharta’s journey into medicine was inspired by the healthcare his mother received from a family doctor during a chronic illness.
After graduating from Melbourne University as an overseas student in 2004, he practiced across the nation as a physician, delivering cardiology care in regional and rural communities.
Dr Sidharta now works across both Rockhampton Hospital as acting Executive Director Medical Services and Sunshine Coast University Hospital as Interventional Cardiologist.
“I want to apply my experience to develop a Cardiac Centre of Excellence right here in regional Queensland,” he said.
“Health is more than just treatment. It’s about taking the time to listen to patients and their families to understand their goals and deliver the best possible outcome.
“It’s about understanding what they need and want, not just about what we think they should have, throughout their journey.”
To find out more information about the trial, visit the Clinical Trial website here.