Dr Paul Stoodley | Western Sydney University Paul is an accredited cardiac sonographer with wide experience in adult cardiac sonography. He holds a PhD from the University of Sydney, where he investigated echocardiographic measurements of breast cancer patients treated with anthracycline chemotherapy. Paul is a senior lecturer at Western Sydney University, where he coordinates the sonography program and is the head of postgraduate programs in the School of Medicine. He is eager to advance sonographer learning and teaching, and to promote sonographer led research.

The cardiac program at this year's conference brings together leading clinicians and sonographers for three dynamic live panel discussions designed to spark insight, collaboration and practical learning. Each session highlights a key area shaping the future of cardiac care, offering attendees the opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions and contribute to the conversation. Across the three panels, participants will explore the evolving imaging challenges in adult congenital heart disease, examine the essential role of clinical supervision and mentorship in cardiac sonography and gain a deeper understanding of how sonographers and cardiologists can bridge perspectives to enhance patient outcomes. These discussions are crafted to be interactive, informative and grounded in real-world clinical experience. Join us for these live sessions and take part in shaping the dialogue around some of the most important issues in contemporary cardiac practice. Further details on each panel can be found in the individual session descriptions.

Assoc Prof Sandhir B Prasad | RBWH A/Prof Sandhir B Prasadis a senior staff cardiologist and clinical lead in echocardiography at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. He is a Monash medical graduate, completed his training in cardiology at Wellington Hospital (NZ), and then completed research and clinical fellowships at Westmead Hospital (Sydney), MonashHeart (Melbourne) and Princess Alexandra Hospital (Brisbane). He has been awarded research fellowships from the National Heart Foundation (NZ), Centres of Health Research (Qld) and Metro North (Clinician Research Fellowship). He is the recipient of Awards of Excellence from ASUM (Australasian Sonologist of the Year) and Metro North Hospital and Health Service (Clinical Research Award). His PhD focussed on the pathophysiology of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with publications in JASE, Heart and JACC: CV Imaging. He is an Associate Professor at the University of Queensland and Griffith University. He is the current president of the Queensland branch of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand.

Mr Christopher Thomas | Qld Echocardiography Mr Christopher Thomas graduated from The University of Queensland in 1997 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Human Movement Studies. A Master of Scientific Studies was completed specialising in cardiac physiology and rehabilitation. Mr Thomas made an 18-year contribution to the The Prince Charles Hospital’s Echocardiography Department, where he was considered an educational resource for the hospital’s staff and has vast experience in emergency and critical care scenarios. Mr Thomas has trained many specialist echocardiologists working in Australia and abroad. Chris manages and is the senior cardiac sonographer at Queensland Echocardiography, a stand-alone and fully accredited echocardiography imaging service, the first of its kind in Queensland. Chris pioneered locum cardiac sonography services in Queensland from 2002, and currently is still in wide demand over 2 states to provide expert level echocardiography services to a discerning cardiology customer base. In addition to presenting his original research at the World Congress of Cardiology in 2002, Mr Thomas has been involved in countless research initiatives as new technologies arrived on to the market, such as ASD/VSD closure devices, ventricular assist devices and trans-catheter heart valve replacements/interventions.

Mrs Amy Secomb | Cardiac Skills Australia Amy is the owner and director of Cardiac Skills Australia where she facilitates Focussed Cardiac Ultrasound workshops and other cardiac trainings for Drs around Australia and New Zealand. She has worked for over 2 decades in the Health Care Industry, with 16 years experience in echocardiography at The Prince Charles Hospital performing complex echocardiograms, indigenous cardiac outreach programs to rural QLD, and training Drs, staff and students. She brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to all that she does. Improving patient outcomes and treatment through education, along with quality and timely cardiac imaging is something she is passionate about.