Our event, held on June 28, 2024, spotlighted the groundbreaking research at The Baird Institute.
We were delighted to welcome many of our dedicated supporters who attended to learn about our recent advancements. A special thank you goes to our Patron, The Hon. Michael Kirby, whose presence and presentation greatly enriched the evening.
Professor Paul Bannon opened the evening with an overview of The Baird Institute’s significant contributions to clinical research at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He detailed our major clinical trials, both past and present, and introduced the strategic establishment of the Centre for Heart Failure and Diseases of the Aorta. This Centre represents a crucial advancement in our ongoing commitment to tackling critical heart conditions.
The evening then focused on three primary areas of translational research:
- Advancements in Heart Failure Management: Professor John O’Sullivan shared groundbreaking developments that are reshaping how we approach heart failure treatment, providing hope for improved patient outcomes.
- Innovations in Heart Valve Function and Design: Doctor Robert Hume presented our pioneering work on neo vessel technology and heart valve design, which promises to lead to new interventions that could significantly enhance patient care.
- Valvular-Ventricular Interactions: Professor Bannon delved into how structural considerations influence function, providing insights that could shape the future of valve design.
Central to our research is the Sydney Heart Bank (SHB), which plays a crucial role in supporting our studies. Associate Professor Sean Lal shared valuable insights into its contributions, underscoring how this resource enhances our research capabilities and contributes to breakthroughs in heart health. The SHB comprises over 38,000 human cardiovascular samples from explanted failing hearts and non-diseased donor hearts plus heart, aortic and vascular samples from patients undergoing surgery.
Finally, Penny Willis, so eloquently spoke about her husband Barry who suffered an acute aortic dissection. She spent the next two and half years after his dissection supporting and caring for Barry. Penny uses any opportunity to educate the public about aortic dissections, the importance of early intervention and the need for ongoing medical research, training and development.
As donors, your support directly fuels these groundbreaking research efforts. We are deeply grateful for your generosity and commitment.
