The Heart of the Matter: A Case-Based Journey Through Transplant Care
Tracks
Track 1
| Friday, May 23, 2025 |
| 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Bay Trust Forum |
Details
A case-based presentation exploring key aspects of heart transplant care in Aotearoa New Zealand. This session follows the journey of a transplant recipient, highlighting the multidisciplinary team involved — from referral and assessment to surgery, ICU recovery, psychosocial support, and long-term follow-up. Alongside clinical insights, we’ll discuss the barriers Māori patients face and how these barriers are being addressed .
Speaker
Dr Dean Boddington
Cardiologist
Mackay Hospital
Chair
Biography
Dean is an electrophysiologist.
Dr Tom Pasley
Cardiologist
Auckland City Hospital
Chair
Biography
Heart Transplant Cardiologist.
Dr Alison Nankivell
Heart Transplant Fellow
Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora Canterbury Waitaha
Pre-Transplant Assessment and Optimisation
11:00 AM - 11:10 AMBiography
Dr Alison Nankivell is the current Heart Transplant Clinical Fellow at Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland.
Mrs Amber-Paige Ngatai
Nurse Specialist
Health New Zealand Te Toka Tumai
Barriers to Māori Receiving Heart Transplants
11:10 AM - 11:20 AMBiography
Mrs Iris Fontanilla
Clinical Lead, Psychology
Te Whatu Ora Te Toka Tumai Auckland
Psychosocial Assessment of Heart Transplant Candidates
11:20 AM - 11:30 AMBiography
Dr Tobias Gonzenbach
Consultant
Auckland City Hospital, CVICU
ICU Management Post-Transplant and the Role of ECMO
11:30 AM - 11:40 AMBiography
Swiss-trained physician with extensive experience in internal medicine, anaesthesiology, and intensive care. Holds multiple specialist diplomas, including in echocardiography and intensive care. Worked in Switzerland, Lesotho, and New Zealand. Published in top medical journals and holds a doctoral thesis in molecular cancer research. Currently a consultant in Auckland’s CVICU.
Mr Amul Sibal
Surgical Director Nz Heart And Lung Transplantation And Mcs
Auckland City Hospital
Surgical Aspects of Heart Transplant and VAD Use in NZ
11:40 AM - 11:50 AMBiography
Cardiothoracic and Transplant Surgeon and currently Surgical Director NZ heart and lung transplantation and Mechanical circulatory support. Introduced DCD Lung Transplants to NZ in 2014. PI (NZ) for the ANZ NIHP trial to expand donor pool for heart transplants using machine perfusion technology. Introduced BiVAD and helped expand the MCS programme. Currently part of a group expanding the Pulmonary Endarterectomy programme. Keen interest in Mitral valve repairs, Aortic surgery and OPCAB.
Originally qualified from India with MS in Gen Surgery and MCh and Diplomate of National Board in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Migrated to NZ in 2003. Competed a Transplant and Ventricular Assist Device fellowship at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne before returning to Greenlane Cardiothoracic unit in 2012.
Click here for a copy of this presentation
Dr Tom Pasley
Cardiologist
Auckland City Hospital
Interview with a Heart Transplant Recipient
11:50 AM - 12:00 PMBiography
Heart Transplant Cardiologist.
