Wollongong Heart Symposium

Discover state-of-the-art management of coronary artery disease and cardiac surgery through an engaging two-day program of case studies, panel discussions, information sessions, workshops, abstracts and academic research.

• Past Present and Future Cardiothoracic Initiatives in the Illawarra and Shoalhaven
• Outcomes from the Illawarra cardiothoracic service
• PCI in Multi-Vessel and left main
• Revascularization in ischemic cardiomyopathy
• Current indications for CABG and quality assessment
• Single, multiple or total arterial grafts for CABG
• Routine closure of LA appendage and benefits
• Lessons learned from ART trial
• The real AF post COVID pandemic
• Changing the landscape of coronary surgery: Total arterial revascularisation
• External stenting of vein grafts
• Sternal closure
• Case study discussions (Submit your cases for discussion)
• Various UOW research presentations
• Various UOW digital poster displays
• Trainee skills workshops including angiograms and anastomosis
• And more….

Speakers include a line-up of influential local, Australian and international experts including:

	Prof. David P Taggart - Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Oxford, UK Professor Taggart has authored/co-authored over 350 scientific manuscripts (including as co-Editor of two books), is the Chief Investigator of the ART trial, and co-founder of the International Coronary Congress and the International Society for Coronary Artery Surgery.
	Prof. Alistair Royse – Cardiothoracic Surgeon Alistair Royse is a pioneer in the field of arterial coronary artery bypass surgery and has developed many operative techniques and strategies to facilitate routine total arterial revascularisation. He has published widely in the field and is the chief investigator for the MRFF $5m "TA Trial" investigating the use of total arterial revascularisation with an angiographic primary endpoint. Additionally, he is the co-director of a large online learning and ultrasound education program at the University of Melbourne.
	Prof. Adam El-Gamel – Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Wollongong Private Hospital Read more
	Assoc. Prof. Astin Lee – Head of Cardiac Services ISLHD Read more
	Dr Edward Danson – Interventional Cardiologist, Wollongong Private Hospital Read more
	Professor Patricia M. Davidson - Vice-Chancellor and President University of Wollongong Prior to joining the University of Wollongong, Professor Davidson was dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore in the United States. She was the recipient of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health (CUGH) Distinguished Leader Award, honouring her exceptional contributions to the advancement of global health worldwide. Professor Davidson serves as counsel general of the International Council on Women’s Health Issues, and was a past board member of CUGH and secretary general of the Secretariat of the World Health Organizations Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery. As a global leader in nursing, health care, and advocacy, Professor Davidson’s work focuses on person-centred care delivery and the improvement of cardiovascular health outcomes for women and vulnerable populations.
	Dr Mohammad Azari - Cardiothoracic Surgeon Read more
	Professor Caleb Ferguson - Professor of Nursing (Chronic & Complex Care), University of Wollongong Prof. Ferguson is Professor of Nursing (Chronic & Complex Care) and Associate Head of School (Research Strategy, Development & Partnership) at the University of Wollongong. He is the Academic Director of the Centre for Chronic & Complex Care Research, a collaborative research centre between the University of Wollongong and Western Sydney Health. He has published over 120 academic works and received over $12m as a chief investigator in competitive research funding, including NHMRC, MRFF, and the Heart Foundation.
	Dr Michael Macartney - Senior Lecturer, University of Wollongong Michael is a Senior Lecturer in the Graduate School of Medicine at the University of Wollongong. He completed his PhD in 2018 focusing on the role of dietary omega-3 fatty acids in preserving the cardiac physiological reserve. Michael has a distinguished research background in studying the effects of omega-3 on cardiac function and emphasises the need for further investigations to translate findings into practical applications for lifelong heart health.
	Ms Margot Mains - Chief Executive, Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Ms Mains has extensive health executive leadership and management experience. Ms Mains is a registered nurse, and holds the following qualifications: Certificate in Community Health (Christchurch Polytechnic); Graduate Diploma of Nursing (Massey University); Bachelor of Laws (University of Otago). Ms Mains has completed the New Zealand Institute of Company Directors' course. Margot was admitted as a Fellow of the University of Wollongong in October 2021 for her significant and continued contribution to the health and wellbeing of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven community.
	Assoc. Prof. Dwain Owensby – Cardiologist Graduate of Yale University, Australian National University, University of Miami. Cardiology fellowships at Washington University St Louis and University of New South Wales. Faculty appointments University of NSW and University of Wollongong. Currently Senior Staff Specialist Wollongong Hospital and senior cardiology consultant at The Cardiac Centre NSW (Wollongong)
	Dr Julee McDonagh, Centre for Chronic & Complex Care Research (CCCCR) Blacktown Hospital, School of Nursing Faculty of Science Medicine and Health Dr Julee McDonagh is an RN with over a decade of clinical nursing experience. In 2017, Julee received the highly prestigious NSW Health PhD scholarship to undertake the FRAME-HF study, which explored how best to assess for frailty syndrome in adults living with heart failure. Julee’s PhD was awarded in 2021; her post-doctoral work continues to define the optimal means of assessing frailty in a heart failure context and explores ways to improve the management of people living with frailty and other comorbid conditions.
	Dr Sabine Allida, Research Fellow (Implementation Science) Dr Sabine Allida is a Research Fellow (Implementation Science) at the Centre for Chronic & Complex Care Research at Blacktown Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District and the University of Wollongong and Honorary Fellow at The George Institute for Global Health. Her research focuses on enhancing healthcare delivery to improve cardiovascular health outcomes through evidence synthesis and research translation.

Other speakers include:

• Dr Pretap Shetty – Cardiologist
• Dr James Boyd – Cardiothoracic Fellow
• Prof. Zsuzsoka Kecskes, UOW Dean of Medicine
• Marc Brown, Senior Lecturer UOW
• David Sewell, Cardiothoracic CNC, Wollongong Private Hospital
• Dr Monique Francois - School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, UOW
• Jodie Healey, Cardiothoracic Nurse Unit Manager
• and more