Heart Foundation welcomes new Medical Director

Heart Foundation welcomes new Medical Director

The Heart Foundation has appointed Associate Professor Gerard Devlin to the position of Medical Director. Dr Devlin will take up the position from the now retired Medical Director, Professor Norman Sharpe on 1 August 2014.

“Dr Devlin is an accomplished clinical academic cardiologist who has been a highly effective regional and national leader in heart-health care,” says retired Medical Director Professor Norman Sharpe.

Dr Devlin has invested in a wide range of collaborative basic and clinical research work which has culminated in the award of both an Honorary Associate Professorship and a Doctorate in Medicine from the University of Auckland in 2013.

He was Chair of the New Zealand branch of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand in 2010 - 2011.

Dr Devlin has been both Clinical Unit Leader of Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Services at Waikato Hospital and also Clinical Leader of the Midland Cardiac Network. In the latter role he has led the development of improved quality standards and improved equity of access for heart care in the Midland region.

Dr Devlin says Professor Sharpe will be a hard act to follow but he is looking forward to the new challenge.

“The Heart Foundation has done tremendous work over the years but we cannot afford to be complacent. Heart disease remains the single biggest killer of New Zealanders so there is still much work to be done.”

Recently Dr Devlin took over leadership of the National Cardiac Network. The Network has already ensured more timely and equitable access for surgical services regionally and nationally and is now supporting a broader continuum approach to heart-health care. He will relinquish this position when he takes up the role of Medical Director with the Heart Foundation.

Former Medical Director Professor Norman Sharpe has retired from the position after 10 years in the role.

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