Baird News Archives - Page 9 of 11

The Honourable Michael Kirby becomes the new patron of The Baird Institute

September 13, 2019September 10, 2018 by The Baird Institute

We are so pleased to announce that The Honourable Michael Kirby AC CMG has agreed to become The Baird Institute’s 2nd Patron and is succeeding to the mantle of our previous patron, Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir. When he retired from the High Court of Australia on 2 February 2009, Michael Kirby was Australia’s longest serving judge, having worked there since 1996. He continues to undertake many international activities for the United Nations, the Commonwealth Secretariat, the World Health Organisation and UNESCO. Michael Kirby was Chancellor of Macquarie University from 1984 to 1993 and has been appointed Honorary Visiting Professor by 12 universities.

He participates regularly in local and international conferences and meetings and has served on many international committees for the UN, the Commonwealth of Nations and on the UN Secretary-General’s High Level Panel on Access to Essential Medicines (2015-16). He is regularly engaged in international arbitrations, domestic mediations and teaching law.

Professor Kirby states –“I am proud to have been appointed Patron of The Baird Institute: an outstanding and practical research centre that works in close collaboration with the famous Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. Mixing practical talent, intellectual research and human kindness is the magic combination of The Baird Institute and its members. In this respect it continues in the high tradition first established by Professor Doug Baird. It is why I am proud to be Patron.”

At the cutting-edge of surgical innovation

September 13, 2019May 1, 2018 by The Baird Institute

The Baird Institute is excited to announce the funding of and collaboration with Vantari VR in building a Virtual Reality (VR) tool for surgical planning.

The focus is on improving efficiency and outcomes for patients and is the first of its kind globally to be built for use in Aortic surgery. Professor Paul Bannon, Chair of The Baird Institute, has been instrumental in driving this collaboration, as the potential of this technology is game-changing to the surgical landscape. Founded by two young doctors, Dr Vijay Paul and Dr Nishanth Krishnananthan, Vantari VR is considered to be one of the leading Australian start-up medical technology companies, having recently completed the HCF Catalyst accelerator program and received funding from the NSW government. Virtual Reality has made headlines around the world over the last few years and is being used increasingly in healthcare.

Clinical trials are already showing that VR can reduce surgical planning time by up to 40% and increase surgical accuracy by 10%. With global powerhouses, such as the Mayo Clinic and Stanford Health Care in the US and The Royal London Hospital in the UK, implementing VR into their research and treatment delivery, this is an important step by The Baird Institute on the national and global stage to drive innovation so as to improve patient outcomes.trials.

Launch of Sydney Imaging

September 17, 2019April 6, 2018 by The Baird Institute

Sydney Imaging’s Hybrid Theatre is a new research and training hub, located in the Charles Perkins Centre (CPC) at the University of Sydney. The site was officially launched in April by Elizabeth Koff, NSW Secretary of Health who stated that “Sydney Imaging is one of Australia’s most sophisticated biomedical imaging facilities reserved for research and education – a rarity in the world. It is a boon for the NSW and Australian health research community, and for our broader society which will ultimately benefit from discoveries made there.”

Sydney Imaging acts as a hub for the University’s faculties and affiliated research institutes including The Baird Institute. A significant amount of our research will be carried out there and this will enable us to more rapidly translate evidence into state of the art clinical practice so that we can gain the very best outcomes for patients. Imaging technology allows researchers to study complex biological systems and disease processes non-invasively and provides biological insights into scientific and medical problems that are not available by other means.

Professor Paul Bannon, chair of The Baird Institute is also Academic Director of The Hybrid Theatre. The theatre combines a range of biomedical imaging technologies, artificial intelligence, robotics and pioneering surgical practice and training. Image-guided and robotic surgery are used to develop and perfect the complex surgical procedures of tomorrow, resulting in less invasive techniques and better outcomes. Professor Bannon stated at the launch that “the key objective is to sustain medical research and to drive it, specifically the high end or cutting edge translational research!”

Rodney Merrett – The first NSW open-heart surgery patient

September 13, 2019March 20, 2018 by The Baird Institute

A Heartfelt thanks for surgery 60 years ago

Rod Merrett was the first person in NSW to have had open heart surgery using the new American heart-lung machine. Rod was operated on at RPA Hospital in 1957 by visiting surgeons from Johns Hopkins Hospital in the USA, he was only 9 years of age and remained in hospital for 6 weeks following his surgery.

The Baird Institute flew Rod from Adelaide to Sydney to participate in the panel at our 2017 Christmas Cocktails & Conversation event and to share the story of his journey with heart disease.
A story was recently published about Rod in Sydney’s Inner West Courier

Pictured: Rodney Merrett (Inset) Front left with his surgeon and other patients.

A story was recently published about Rod in Sydney’s Inner West Courier

By clicking on this image, you’ll be able to download The Baird Institute’s latest newletter where on page 4, you can read about Rod’s experience, as a nine year old, while in hospital 60 years ago!

Dinner Dance Fundraiser 2018

September 13, 2019December 10, 2017 by The Baird Institute

Put it in your diary …

DINNER DANCE FUNDRAISER

Dick Shaw, one of our fabulous community fundraisers, is holding a dinner dance at Mollymook, down the South Coast of New South Wales, in order to raise funds for The Baird Institute.

Dick has been operated on several times by Professor Paul Bannon and now wants to show his gratitude. Chair of The Baird Institute and Head of Department, Cardiothoracic Surgery at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Paul will be speaking on the latest developments in cardiothoracic research. So, come along to what should be a fun filled night down at beautiful Mollymook.

When & Where?

Mollymoook Surf Club
6.30pm Sat 24th February, 2018

All funds raised will go to The Baird Institute

Special guest speaker – Professor Paul Bannon
Dance to the Dave Price Rock ‘n’ Roll Band
Tickets $85 pp (includes catering from Milk Hause)
Drinks at bar prices
Fantastic raffle prizes

Contact Dick Shaw on 0411 411 196 for further information and/or dietary needs

Tickets: ticketbooth.com.au – search ‘MOLLYMOOK’

Cocktails & Conversation 2017

September 16, 2019November 30, 2017 by The Baird Institute

The Baird Institute’s Christmas“Cocktails and Conversation” was held on Thursday 30 November, 2017 at the Woolloomooloo Bay Hotel.

Pictured: (Left to right) Monica Attard, Rodney Merrett, Norman Kroehnert, Jo Dean and brothers Jake & Jason Rance, explaining what applied heart research has meant for them, their families and the wider community.

Patients of surgeons associated with The Baird Institute, were interviewed by award winning ABC journalist Monica Attard in regards to their experience with heart surgery. These patients are the representation of a much larger cohort, benefiting from the generosity of donors, funding research being carried out by The Baird Institute.

Brothers, Jake and Jason Rance both had an aortic root repair after it was discovered, following the death of their mother from an aortic dissection, that they both had familial “Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Disease”. Their open heart surgery was performed by Professor Paul Bannon, Chair of The Baird Institute, in 2017. Jo Dean had Robotic heart bypass surgery with Professor Michael Wilson, also in 2017. Jo first discovered she had “Coronary Artery Disease” earlier this year after experiencing chest pains on her regular ride to work. Rod Merrett was the first person in NSW to have had open heart surgery using the new American heart-lung machine. Rod was operated on at RPA Hospital in 1957 by visiting surgeons from Johns Hopkins Hospital in the USA, he was only 9 years of age and remained in hospital for 6 weeks following his open heart surgery. Norman Kroehnert had a chest re-opening earlier this year after having suffered a heart attack whilst at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He was the first recipient of a chest reopening by participants of the CALS (Cardiac Advanced Life Support) course run at RPAH and it was an outstanding success – he lives to tell his story.

At “Cocktails and Conversation” we were able to highlight just how far heart surgery has come from the time Rod had open heart surgery in 1957 to when Jo had her robotic bypass surgery in 2017 – 60 years later. Jo remained in hospital for just 6 days while Rod’s stay in hospital lasted for 6 weeks. This difference in the recovery period for patients undergoing robotic heart surgery means so much more than time; it means far less chance of complications, a faster recovery and return to work, not to mention an excellent cosmetic result. It is an entirely different world these days! The positive impact this minimally invasive surgery has on working parents, their children, employers and hospitals is enormous. What was once the subject of movies and fantasy is now an everyday reality in tertiary care facilities such as the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital!

Following the discussion, Professor Paul Bannon thanked the panel and explained the importance of the research work that The Baird Institute is involved in as well as the need for industry contributions for PHD research salaries in order to further the Institute’s research capabilities.

Our Director, Michelle Sloane, paid tribute to Natalie Zugec one of our super community fundraisers who has raised almost $100,000 for applied heart research at The Baird Institute with the help of her sister, Pamela. Natalie was presented with a beautiful bunch of flowers.

The night ended with a drawing of the raffle by Philippa Baird, wife of the late Professor Doug Baird. Thank you to Carol Radford, one of our dedicated supporters, for her donation of a wonderful Christmas cake and to Camelbak for their donation of various drink bottles and hydration packs.

(Top row, left to right) Jo Dean with brothers, Jake and Jason Rance. (Bottom row left to right) Rodney Merrett, Norman Kroehnert with Prof Paul Bannon.

Jo underwent a successful heart bypass operation using Robotic Surgery. As a patient of Professor Michael Wilson, she is also featured on the 7.30 Report

We would like to thank all of our supporters for their help in 2017 and we look forward to another successful year ahead where, with your help, we will continue to foster, fund and promote cardiothoracic research in medical undergraduates, graduates and our own surgeons.

The staff of The Baird Institute; (left to right) Maureen Winn, Sue Moore, Michelle Sloane, Lisa Turner, Catherine Rush & Lorna Beattie.

Heart to Heart Newsletter

September 17, 2019November 24, 2017 by The Baird Institute

Welcome back to our revamped “Heart to Heart” newsletter.

Heart to Heart will be published twice a year with the aim being to keep you updated on all that is happening in research and training at The Baird Institute.

2017 has been a big year! In May, we released our first biennial report, The Baird Report. If you didn’t receive a copy and would like one, please contact us and we will happily mail it to you. You can also download a copy here.

Dr Michael Seco, the recipient of The Baird Institute’s Edwards Lifesciences Scholarship, completed his PhD and you can read more about this in our newsletter. We have seen the continuation of the Robotics Program and the establishment of The Surgical and Robotics Training Institute, the first of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, of which Professor Bannon is the director.

A landmark study, led by Professor Michael Vallely involving 37,720 patients, demonstrated that a newer “no-touch” beating heart bypass surgery technique (anOPCABG) reduced postoperative stroke by 78% compared to traditional coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The results were published in the February edition of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), considered to be the pre-eminent Cardiology journal in the world.

Finally, our surgeons have been involved in the publication of over 50 academic journal articles this year; you will find a research update with an outline of some of our more important publications later in the newsletter.

To all our donors, thank you – the work of The Baird Institute is only possible due to you and we appreciate and value your continuing trust and support. On behalf of the team at The Baird Institute, I would like to extend to you and all your families, best wishes for the holiday season and for a very healthy and happy 2018.

Catherine Rush
Engagement Manger, The Baird Institute

Click on the image to download a copy of the Heart to Heart Newsletter

Future Participants of The Baird Institute’s Kenyan Fellowship Program

September 16, 2019November 20, 2017 by The Baird Institute

Two future participants of The Baird Institute’s Kenyan Fellowship program visit Australia

Pictured: (Left to right) photographed in front of RPAH; Dr Nikita Mehta, Dr Fredrick Mitema, Ambassador Isaiya Kabiya, Prof Paul Bannon & Dr Victor Kwasi

In November we hosted two future participants of The Baird Institute’s Kenyan Fellowship Program in Australia; Dr Nikita Mehta and Dr Fredrick Mitema from Nairobi. They came to Australia on a “travelling scholarship”. While here they attended the annual conference of the Association of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons of Asia in Melbourne, then came to Sydney to visit Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) and The Baird Institute’s research programs and research facilities. During the reception and tour, Dr Mehta and Dr Mitema were joined by the Kenyan High Commissioner from Canberra, Ambassador Isaiya Kabiya.

Nikita is the first locally trained female cardiothoracic surgeon in East and Central Africa and is a graduate of the program at The University of Nairobi that The Baird Institute helped establish around 5 years ago. Dr Mehta completed her undergraduate and post-graduate training at the University of Nairobi last year, graduating with a Master’s degree in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. She will return to Sydney in 2018/2019 to commence her 2 year surgical trainee fellowship at RPAH under the guidance of Professor Paul Bannon, the Chair of The Baird Institute. Nikita hopes this will give her the skills and knowledge to one day set up a self-sustained cardiothoracic centre of excellence in Kenya specialising in clinical care, training and research.

Please take a look at our interview with Nikita and Fred.

In Kenya, we are still in the infantile stage when it comes to cardiac surgery. This is partly because of the lack of skilled personnel, as well as the numerous challenges of providing super specialised care in a resource constrained environment. Working at RPA will give me exposure to cardiac surgeries which are not routinely performed back home.

“The best surgeon will eventually be a robot”

December 18, 2019July 8, 2017 by The Baird Institute

Professor Michael Wilson of The Baird Institute, recently spoke to Matt Peacock of the ABC’s 7.30 Report.

The revolution in robotics and artificial intelligence has made its way into surgery. Patients needing coronary artery bypasses would normally require open heart surgery but now, thanks to robots, they are facing far less traumatic surgery and a much faster recovery.

The “Da Vinci” robot is used by Professor Wilson to minimise the invasive chest surgery normally associated with a bypass operation. Also talking to Matt Peacock on the 7.30 Report was Professor Vipul Patel from the “Global Robotics Institute” at Florida Hospital in the USA. Professor Patel is world-renowned for his contribution to the field of robotic-assisted surgery and is one of the most experienced robotic surgeons in the world. He has personally performed more than 10,000 robotic prostatectomies.

Professor Patel was the plenary speaker and guest of honour at the recent Sydney Robotic Summit on the future of Robotic Surgery. The Summit hosted some of the world’s best Robotic Surgeons from across multiple surgical specialities. In his session, Professor Patel examined where we would be 10 years from now in the operating rooms of hospitals. Many of the surgeons associated with the Baird Institute also presented at the Robotics Summit; Professor Paul Bannon, Chair of The Baird Institute, spoke on adopting innovation ethically, while Professor Michael Wilson spoke on when to do open heart surgery, thoracoscopic surgery or surgery using the Da Vinci robot. One of our past Research Fellows, Dr Michael Seco, presented on robotic cardiac surgery at the Summit.

‘When I first saw pictures of it, I couldn’t believe it. There was a surgeon to the side and the patient on the table. And the surgeon was controlling the whole thing through a robot at some remove from the operating table itself.”

Innovations in Robotic Surgery — (Left) Prof. Patel, Plenary Speaker & Guest of Honour at the recent Sydney Robotics Summit; (Right) Prof Paul Bannon, Chair of The Baird Institute, spoke on adopting innovation ethically.

ATACAS clinical trial named winner of the 2017 ACTA Trial of the Year

December 18, 2019June 5, 2017 by The Baird Institute

The people who make ground breaking clinical trials happen have been honoured. These are the people who save and improve lives across Australia and around the world by funding, designing, conducting or participating in clinical trials.

As a continuous and dedicated supporter of all cardiothoracic and vascular surgery clinical trials conducted with patients undergoing heart and lung surgery at RPAH, it is our great pleasure at The Baird Institute to report that the ATACAS trial is the winner of the 2017 ACTA Clinical Trial of the Year Award at the recent Clinical Trials 2017 National Tribute and Awards Ceremony. The ceremony recognised the significant advancements and improvements made to the health of all Australians through clinical trials.