Health service leaders hear about research project

Federation University Research Associate, and former Ararat local, Dr Leo Bell, was a recent guest at an East Grampians Health Service Leadership Group lunch.

Dr Bell is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Research Associate at Federation University Australia’s Health Innovation and Transformation Centre.

His journey began in Ararat, where he grew up, before moving to Ballarat for tertiary education, where he completed his PhD in Exercise Physiology, focusing on understanding why individuals respond differently to exercise.

Throughout his academic career, Dr Bell gained extensive experience in rehabilitation within sporting organisations while contributing to research on innovative biomarkers of health and fitness.

Now returned to Ararat, Dr Bell is dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of rural communities through The Healthy Regions InterVEntion (THRIVE) program.

His current work focuses on chronic disease prevention by integrating genetic testing, behaviour change counselling, and digital health technology to create personalised health solutions for rural populations.

Dr Bell spoke passionately about his work and bringing cutting-edge health research back to the Ararat community where his journey began.

EGHS chief executive Nick Bush thanked Dr Bell for speaking to the leadership group at the health service, and for sharing his journey. “We appreciate Leo giving up his time to speak to our leadership group, who were interested to hear of Leo’s history, his time in Ararat and the challenges he faced when he moved on to tertiary studies before finding his passion,” Mr Bush said.