Ramsay Newsroom

The inaugural Wollongong Heart Symposium will consider advances in the management of coronary artery disease and examine the latest cardiac research from the University of Wollongong. 

Wollongong Private Hospital Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Professor Adam El-Gamel, said the weekend was designed to share important advances in cardiac care for the benefit of local experts, their patients, and the next generation of health care providers in the region. 

“The goal of the weekend is to share recent state-of-the-art treatment options associated with coronary artery disease and to establish a network with local academic faculty,” Professor El-Gamel said. 

“We hope this educational experience will help bring local cardiac care of coronary artery disease in line with best practice international management. 

“Younger health care professionals will have a great opportunity to hear from some of the best in our field, interact with academic faculty and benefit from the practical sessions included on the programme to get hands-on learning experience.”

Professor of Cardiovascular Surgery from the University of Oxford, Professor David Taggart, will headline the region’s first major cardiac conference, alongside Professor Alistair Royse from the University of Melbourne and local experts Associate Professor Astin Lee, Dr Ed Danson and Professor El-Gamel. 

“I am happy to be part of this exciting event. Increasing knowledge of how best to treat the heart in patients who require surgery must be universal,” Prof. Taggart said. 

Assoc. Prof. Astin Lee, the Head of Cardiac Services for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, said that the symposium was the culmination of strong collaboration between the local health district and Wollongong Private Hospital in the delivery of cardiac services to the region. 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to showcase the advances that have been made in cardiac care within our region and we are excited to be partnering with The Cardiac Centre NSW and the University of Wollongong to present this symposium.”

UOW Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Patricia M. Davidson said the conference was an exciting opportunity for leaders in cardiovascular health from around the world to share the latest research. 

“UOW’s health and medical research teams are investigating a broad range of cardiovascular considerations from post-operative nursing care, loneliness and frailty, dietary considerations and the latest advancements in surgical interventions. It’s exciting to see an international collaborative event such as this be held in Wollongong and I can’t wait to see the innovative thinking and research that will be shared.” 

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