February 19, 2026

Mackay Cardiac Specialists Achieve Global Recognition

Mackay Base Hospital continues to set the standard in cardiac care, with two team members among a select group certified in heart rhythm management worldwide.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) Clinical Director of Cardiology Dr Michael Zhang and Senior Cardiac Physiologist Annie Luke are both credentialed by the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE), the global gold standard in heart rhythm management certification.

IBHRE Day recognises these cardiac specialists, celebrating their achievements and their impact on the field of heart rhythm management.

Patients requiring complex heart rhythm care in Mackay are benefiting from their expertise and enhanced specialist cardiac care, reinforcing the hospital’s reputation for delivering world-class healthcare close to home.

“These credentials give our regional patients confidence that cardiac care here in Mackay is gold standard and that our level of skill and knowledge is globally recognised,” Dr Zhang said.

“For a regional hospital to have this level of expertise is a real strength and demonstrates to our patients, colleagues and to our peers, both our skills and commitment to excellent care.”

Annie, who has worked in the Clinical Measurements Unit at Mackay Base Hospital for five years, said the certification had strengthened both her professional practice and patient outcomes.

“This certification validates our specialised knowledge in pacing and cardiac device therapy, which is essential for safely caring for regional patients with complex rhythm disorders,” she said.

These achievements place Mackay Base Hospital among a select number of services worldwide with multiple IBHRE-certified practitioners, with Dr Zhang and Annie among just 381 certified specialists across Australia and New Zealand.

Mackay Base Hospital proudly acknowledges Dr Zhang and Annie for their commitment to continuous learning and clinical excellence, with their globally recognised credentials continuing to enhance specialist cardiac care for patients across the Mackay region.

Mackay Base Hospital has strengthened its reputation for world-class cardiac care, with Dr Michael Zhang and Annie Luke among a select group globally certified in heart rhythm management. Photo source: Mackay Hospital and Health Service