Cardiovascular Infection: the Multi-Disciplinary Solution

Tracks
Matiu Meeting Room
Friday, June 12, 2026
3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Matiu Meeting Room

Speaker

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Dr Elizabeth Curtis
Cardiologist
Health New Zealand Te Matau A Maui Hawkes Bay

Prevention is better than cure, but cure is better than waiting

3:30 PM - 3:45 PM

Biography

Libby Curtis is a cardiologist specializing in heart failure management, cardiac imaging, and device management based in Hawkes Bay working at the Hawkes Bay Hospital. She completed her cardiology training in Auckland, including advanced fellowships in heart failure, cardiac transplantation, and device management. Internationally, she gained expertise in echocardiography and interventional imaging during a fellowship in Rennes, France, under Professor Erwan Donal and supported by the Heart Foundation's, Benjamin Grant. Dr. Curtis is a published researcher with a focus on advanced imaging techniques and cardiac sarcoidosis and has presented her work at major global conferences. A passionate educator, she has held teaching roles at the University of Auckland and continues to mentor the next generation of healthcare professionals.
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Dr Russell Anscombe
Cardiologist
Health New Zealand Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley

Imaging and Myopericarditis

3:45 PM - 4:00 PM

Biography

Dr Russell Anscombe is a Cardiologist based in the Wellington region with an interest in Cardiac imaging.
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Ms Jana Meinhardt
Clinical Specialty Nurse
Middlemore Hospital

When the pocket breaks down: Managing complex device wounds

4:00 PM - 4:15 PM

Biography

Jana is a cardiology clinical specialty nurse (Devices/Electrophysiology) at Middlemore Hospital. She has a strong background in cardiology, with extensive experience working in the cardiac catheterisation laboratory. Her clinical interests include device-related wound management, patient education, and improving patient outcomes through early recognition and intervention. Jana is proud to be part of a centre that provides nurse-led loop recorder implantations, which has both advanced her nursing practice and improved patient access to timely care.
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Dr Chris Clews
Infectious Diseases Advanced Trainee
Health NZ Capital & Coast

From eminence to evidence – modern antimicrobial management in Infective Endocarditis

4:15 PM - 4:30 PM

Biography

Chris is an Advanced Trainee in Infectious Diseases approaching the end of his training here in Wellington. His focus is pragmatic and patient centred care, with interests in prosthetic device infections and medical education. Wellington's ID team have long been challenging dogma in many areas of Cardiovascular infection, in particular the use of high dose oral antimicrobial therapy.
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Dr Nicholas Clayton
Cardiothoracic Registrar
Health New Zealand Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley

“Dirty Valves and Murky Evidence: Timing of Surgical Intervention for Endocarditis.”

4:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Biography

Nicholas is a Cardiothoracic Registrar at Wellington Regional Hospital and has been a member of the department for the last four years. He has spent time as an ICU registrar and has interests in improving multidisciplinary efficiency, education as well as the intersection between cardiothoracic surgery and critical care.
All Speakers

Q&A / Discussion

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Biography

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Dr Russell Anscombe
Cardiologist
Health New Zealand Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley

Chair

Biography

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Dr Matthew Hordern
Interventional Cardiologist
Wellington and Hutt Valley Hospitals

Chair

Biography

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