Cardiology powerhouse Clara Chow nominated for NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year

Pioneering researcher, Westmead Hospital cardiologist and Professor of Medicine Clara Chow is in the running to become the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year.  

Professor Chow is one of three women nominated for this year’s award, which will be presented by Women NSW and the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.  

The cardiologist, who is the first female president to be elected to the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand, has been recognised for her passion for preventing poor health outcomes from cardiovascular disease.

“I’m excited to be nominated – it’s amazing that initiatives in the area of health are being recognised in these awards,” Professor Chow said.

“It will be really great for women to be recognised as leading the way in cardiovascular management.”

In 2015, Clara led the development of a new model of care in Australia that enables rapid cardiologist-led review of patients suspected to have cardiac disease. The model has been shown to reduce unnecessary hospital admission.

In 2016, she won the Google Impact Challenge award, which supports innovative ideas with potential for global impact, to develop a text-message based education and support program for patients with coronary heart disease.

In 2019, Clara was awarded a $1m Google grant to develop a customised digital program to continue her research in reducing the risk of heart disease – the biggest cause of death globally. 

Over the last five years, as Academic Director of the Westmead Applied Research Centre, Clara has attracted over $130 million in research funding.

Western Sydney Local Health District chief executive Graeme Loy congratulated Professor Chow on her nomination.

“Professor Chow is an outstanding cardiologist and researcher, and she is undoubtedly an inspiration to women looking to pursue a career in health,” Graeme said.

“This is a really exciting moment for the Westmead Health Precinct and for women in research and medicine. I wish Clara all the best with this award, we are all very proud of you.”  More information about the NSW Women of the Year Awards can be found here: https://www.women.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/women-of-the-year