Blog

Coast Cardiology supports Beach to Brother

This Sunday, 28 September, Port Macquarie will come alive with one of the region’s most challenging and rewarding endurance events — the Beach to Brother (B2B) Marathon. From Town Beach to the summit of North Brother in Dooragan National Park, competitors will take on 42.2km of sand, trails, and a gruelling final climb.

For three remarkable locals — Cliff Hoeft, Johnathan Hewis and Michael Ames — this year will mark their ninth B2B marathon. These runners have been on the starting line every year since the event began, showcasing the kind of unwavering commitment and resilience that serves as a beacon of inspiration for the entire community.

At Coast Cardiology, we are proud to sponsor this iconic event and to be part of the celebration of health, determination, and community spirit. As a locally owned practice, promoting healthy lifestyles through community events is a top priority for us.

 

More Than Sponsors – Active Participants

Our very own Melinda and Dr Kristian Prados will be there on race day, not just cheering from the sidelines, but playing an active role. You’ll spot them either as course “sweeps” ensuring everyone makes it safely along the marathon route, or at the start lines, supporting runners as they take on their chosen distance.

We had the chance earlier this week to capture some fun photos at the Town Beach start line. Even at 5:30 a.m., when many are still sleeping, the excitement was already building. Melinda and Kristian are pictured jumping for joy alongside Cliff, Johnathan, and Michael in the new event T’s.

 

A Community Spirit Like No Other

Beach to Brother is about much more than distance. It’s about camaraderie, resilience, and the simple joy of movement. Whether it’s battling 40-degree heat as in year two, pushing through injuries, or just soaking up the unbeatable views along the coastline, the event always delivers stories of grit and connection.

As event director Michael Maher says, “We’ve never had anybody who’s struggled on the course without somebody else being there to pick them up and move them along. The camaraderie is fantastic.”

That spirit is exactly why Coast Cardiology continues to support this incredible event. For us, it’s not just about healthy hearts in the clinic — it’s about healthy, thriving communities.

We wish all competitors the very best on Sunday and look forward to celebrating at the summit of North Brother. After all, there’s no better way to “finish on a high.”

Coast Cardiology supports Beach to Brother
Scroll to Top

Jaki Bowden

MEDICAL RECEPTIONST
Jaki has always been a people person and has been working in medical administration and reception since 2010. Working at the Private Hospital and specialist practices over the years she has gained invaluable knowledge and disseminates her knowledge to give a better understanding of processes to the unknown.

Jaki finds delight talking with our diverse range of patients about their life experiences. She is an active person, who you may see around town walking her dog and enjoys sighting the wildlife of Port Macquarie.

Jill McKittrick

MEDICAL RECEPTIONST
Jill has been working in medical administration and reception for over twelve years which has enabled her to gain a vast and diverse skill set. Over this time, Jill has gained her knowledge across both general and specialist practices and she is keen to share this experience with her colleagues and patients at Coast Cardiology.

Jill is excited to provide all patients with an efficient and friendly experience in their dealings with Coast Cardiology. Jill and her family have lived in Ellenborough, west of Port Macquarie, for over twenty years and she looks forward to greeting you all when you visit the practice.

Marella Edwards

MEDICAL RECEPTIONST/NURSING ASSISTANT
A Lifelong Passion for Helping others.

Marella’s journey began during high school, where she volunteered working at a local nursing home. From this experience, Marella then felt drawn to the healthcare field.

Growing up in Port Macquarie, she was surrounded by natural beauty and a strong sense of community. Her caring nature and desire to help others led her to pursue a career in healthcare.

Marella has medical knowledge and training in Electrocardiogram (ECG's) Holter Monitors and much more, which she uses to make a meaningful impact on people’s lives. Playing an integral role in patient care, the information she provides helps doctors determine appropriate treatments and courses of action.

Marella feels fortunate to do work that is both personally fulfilling and contributes value to the community. Marella’s path in healthcare has truly been a ‘hearts calling’.

Jaala Buckmaster

RECEPTION TEAM LEADER

Jaala is an experienced and dedicated professional with over 14 years of experience in the specialist medical field as a medical secretary and receptionist, with 13 of those years focused specifically on cardiology. Her passion for this field began when she started working as an administrator in cardiology right after completing high school, and she has continued to develop her expertise and knowledge ever since.

As a senior medical administrator, Jaala has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the cardiology field. She has received training in Electrocardiogram (ECG's) and Holter Monitors and is always ready to assist patients within her practice. Her attention to detail and patient-focused approach have earned her a reputation for providing high-quality care and service.

Jaala has lived in the Camden Haven for the past 16 years, establishing a long-term home for her young family. She takes pride in supporting the local community in various endeavors, reflecting her commitment to making a positive impact wherever she goes.

As an Office Manager, Jaala's experience, knowledge, and dedication is invaluable. She is detail-oriented, patient-focused, and has a deep understanding of the medical field. She is eager to bring her skills and expertise to any new challenge and is committed to making a meaningful contribution to her new team.

Michelle Hoy

SONOGRAPHY TEAM LEADER

Michelle began her career in cardiology in 1996 and leads the team of Cardiac Sonographers at Coast Cardiology.

Michelle completed her bachelor degree at Wollongong University. She continued her cardiology training at Westmead Hospital, where Michelle was involved in working with pacemakers in the cardiac labs in addition to being involved in cardiac research. At Coast Cardiology, she performs echoes, stress testing and has a special interest in electrophysiology.

Michelle is an enthusiastic member of the team and enjoys supporting the community of the Mid North Coast.

Karen Hillcoat

CARDIAC SONOGRAPHER
Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (Cardiac), AMS

Obtaining her Diploma in Medical Ultrasound (Cardiac) in 1994, Karen has been instrumental in establishing imaging cardiac investigation services in the region. Karen has been a cardiac sonographer for almost 40 years and has been an examiner for the Queensland Ultrasound of Technology course. For more than 20 years , Karen has been performing echoes, stress echoes and other cardiac investigations in the Mid North Coast area.

Committed to supporting the local community, Karen has also been involved with an indigenous cardiac clinic in Kempsey since 2017.

In addition, Karen regularly attends cardiac conferences, learning the latest developments in diagnostic cardiac ultrasound, and has organised and presented at regional professional meetings.

Karen is passionate about teaching echocardiography and has been actively involved in the training of echo technicians and medical students, as well as doctors at the Port Macquarie Base Hospital and other hospitals.

Melinda Prados

BUSINESS MANAGER

Melinda oversees the business operations at Coast Cardiology. With two postgraduate degrees extensive experience in corporate, business and retail financial management experience, Mel ensures we continue to function efficiently and safely - delivering the best possible care for our patients keeping costs as low as possible without compromising quality of care.

Mel enjoys spending time in the community with her young family. She is actively involved in long distance triathlon events, ultra trail running, and promoting healthy living to improve long term health outcomes.