Our patrons
Our Patrons comprise of leading individuals who have made significant contributions in the treatment and research of cardiovascular disease within Australia and internationally. We are thankful for the following outstanding individuals to be our patrons of Heart Support Australia.
Prof Clara Chow AM
Professor Clara Chow is Academic Director of the Westmead Applied Research Centre (WARC), Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney. She is a cardiologist and Clinical Lead of Community Based Cardiac Services at Westmead hospital and is also a member of the Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Governing Board, Sydney, Australia. Her recent award highlights include being a finalist for the NSW Premier’s Woman of the Year - Woman of Excellence Category - in 2024 and 2020 respectively, receiving a Research Australia Digital Health Technology – Highly Commended Award, becoming an Honour of Australia recipient as well as a Fellow of the AAHMS in 2023 and being honoured with a Telstra Health - Brilliant Woman in Digital Health Award in 2022. She is a past-President of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.
Prof Gemma Figtree AM
Gemma Figtree is a Professor in Medicine at the University of Sydney. She co-leads the Cardiovascular Theme for Sydney Health Partners, a NHMRC Advanced Health Research and Translation Centre and is the Chair of the University of Sydney’s multi-disciplinary Cardiovascular Initiative. Professor Figtree is committed to the promotion and advocacy of cardiovascular research, working as President of the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance with a national team to secure $220 Million Federal funding for the Mission for Cardiovascular Health, as well as being a a board member of the National Heart Foundation of Australia.
Prof Robyn Gallagher
Robyn Gallagher is Professor of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Sydney Nursing School based at the Charles Perkins Centre and an Honorary Professor at Edinburgh Napier University. Professor Gallagher’s clinical and academic career focusses on understanding and supporting patients who have cardiovascular disease engage in secondary prevention behaviours to reduce their risk of future cardiovascular events.
Prof Jeroen Hendriks
Prof Hendriks is a Professor of Nursing Science at Maastricht University, and was previously the inaugural Leo J Mahar Cardiovascular Nursing Chair at the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University and the Department of Cardiology, Royal Adelaide Hospital. In his new position in the Department of Nursing at MUMC+, Prof Hendriks will focus on developing and evaluating care models centred on Integrated Care, with nurses playing a central role. In the past decade Prof Hendriks has developed an international reputation in the field of integrated care management and the required practice redesign and health care reform.
Prof Peter Psaltis
Professor Professor Peter Psaltis is an academic interventional cardiologist who holds Faculty positions as a Clinical Academic at the University of Adelaide, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN). He is the Deputy Director of SAHMRI, co-leads its largest research department, the Lifelong Health Theme, and leads its Heart and Vascular Program. He is Head of Interventional Cardiology at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Prof Psaltis is a Board Director of the Australian Cardiovascular Alliance and co-Chairs its Coronary Artery DIsease Clinical Theme. He is past-president of the Australian Atherosclerosis Society, co-chair of the South Australian Aboriginal Heart and Stroke Leadership Group, and co-chair of the Heart Foundation’s South Australian Cardiovascular Research Network.
Prof Julie Redfern AM
Professor Julie Redfern is the Director of the Institute for Evidence-Based Healthcare at Bond University. Professor Redfern currently holds a NHMRC Investigator Grant Leadership 2 (winner of NHMRC Elizabeth Blackburn Award for Health Services). She is also a Physiotherapist, and Adjunct Professor in Sydney Nursing School Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney. Professor Redfern is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (FAAHMS) and the European Society of Cardiology (FESC). Professor Redfern is a current member of the Board of the World Heart Federation.
Prof Prash Sanders
Professor Sanders is a clinical academic based at the University of Adelaide, Royal Adelaide Hospital and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. He is the Director of the Centre for Heart Rhythm Disorders at the University of Adelaide; Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing at the Royal Adelaide Hospital; and the Group Leader for Heart Rhythm Disorders at SAHMRI. Prof Sanders and his team have revolutionised the way atrial fibrillation is treated through their leading research in weight loss and risk factor management reversing the arrhythmia burden.
Dr Ross Walker
Dr. Ross Walker is an eminent practising cardiologist with 40 years’ experience as a clinician, a passion for people, and for health. He is one of Australia’s leading preventative health experts and has directed his focus towards preventative cardiology for the past 20 years. Dr. Walker has published 7 best-selling books on preventative cardiology and lectures both nationally and internationally on this subject. He is also the President of the Gut Foundation of Australia
