Meet The Team

Professor Andrew Boyle

Professor Andrew Boyle is a cardiologist and researcher. He runs a research laboratory, as well as performs clinical research and interventional procedures at the John Hunter Hospital. His clinical focus is on treating patients with acute coronary syndromes including coronary stenting, and transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Professor Boyle leads the research team. He oversees all research activities including leading the development, implementation and dissemination of the study. 

Laureate Professor Robert

Sanson-Fisher

Laureate Professor Rob Sanson-Fisher is internationally recognised as a leader in health behavioural research. His work is known for combining behavioural and public health approaches to health promotion, health service evaluation, and cancer control. His work focuses on disadvantaged populations, people with chronic disease, best evidence practices in healthcare, and advancements in health service models. 

Laureate Professor Sanson-Fisher oversees the methodological design, study procedures and materials, and will contribute to interpretation and dissemination of findings.

Dr Kristy Fakes

Dr Fakes (nee Forshaw) is a Research Associate experienced in health behaviour research. Her research focuses on improving patient preparation for medical interventions, quality of care, and psychosocial outcomes for people with chronic conditions, including heart conditions.

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Dr Fakes oversees the day-to-day management and conduct of the study and will assist with the interpretation and dissemination of study findings. 

Dr Breanne Hobden

Dr Bree Hobden has research expertise and extensive experience in mental health, health care settings, project management, and liaising with key stakeholders. Her research centres on mental health in primary and tertiary care settings, as well as improving patient care experiences.

Dr Hobden is involved in the day-to-day management of this study, and will contribute to the analysis and interpretation of findings.

Professor Nick Zwar

Professor Nick Zwar is an experienced general practitioner and primary health care teacher and researcher. He is currently the Executive Dean for the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University. He has a national and international reputation in health services research on prevention and management of chronic illness, with a focus on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.

Professor Zwar is involved in all stages of the design and conduct of the study, providing an overview and expertise on the general practice elements of the study design.

Associate Professor Nick Collins

Associate Professor Nick Collins is a staff specialist cardiologist and director of the cardiac catheterisation laboratory at the John Hunter Hospital. He has been involved in local, national and international research projects, focusing on congenital heart disease, pulmonary hypertension and interventional cardiology.

Associate Professor Collins will assist with study implementation, interpretation and dissemination of study findings.

Dr Christopher Oldmeadow

Dr Christopher Oldmeadow is the Associate Director of the Data Sciences Unit at the Hunter Medical Research Institute. He is an experienced biomedical statistician in clinical trials, and regularly consults on and oversees analysis for projects from various fields of research.

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Dr Oldmeadow is responsible for developing and undertaking the statistical analyses and data interpretation for this study.

Professor Francesco Paolucci

Professor Francesco Paolucci is an internationally acclaimed scholar and advisor with a focus on global healthcare systems, including working with governments, public and private agencies and industry globally. He is currently chief investigator on grants funded by industry, government, the Australian Research Council, the National Health Medical Research Council, and the European Commission (Horizon2020).

Professor Paolucci guides the economic evaluation of this study.

Dr Kean-Seng Lim

Dr Kean-Seng Lim is a General Practitioner (GP) and GP Principal in a multidisciplinary practice in Western Sydney. He is the Immediate Past President of AMA (NSW), immediate past Deputy Chair of AMA Council of General Practice, and a Wentwest Clinical Council member. 

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Dr Lim provides insight on general practice care and remote patient monitoring methods relevant to this study.

Dr Michael McGee

Dr Michael McGee is a staff specialist in cardiology who treats inpatients with Acute Decompensated Heart Failure, as well as outpatients living with heart failure in the community. He is a founding member and co-lead of the HNE Aboriginal Cardiovascular Health Working Group.

Dr McGee is the lead site investigator and provides site-specific expertise for Tamworth Hospital. He assists with education and training of hospital staff delivering the intervention and contributes to the interpretation and dissemination of findings.

Dr Allan Davies

Dr Allan Davies is a Cardiologist who holds a substantial appointment at the John Hunter Hospital and participates in their successful interventional cardiology program for acute myocardial infarction. He is also responsible for the Rapid Access Clinic at John Hunter Hospital. 

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Dr Davies contributes clinical and research expertise to the implementation of this project.

Dr Irosh Fernando

Dr Irosh Fernando is a Staff Specialist Psychiatrist with the Newcastle Mental Health Service and James Fletcher Hospital. He is a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle. He has skills in the combined areas of psychiatry, computer science, biostatistics, and applied mathematics.

Dr Fernando provides psychiatric and mental health expertise for this study.

Dr Jia Ying Ooi

Dr Jia Ying Ooi is a Senior Research Officer at the University of Newcastle. Her work focuses on health behaviour research in chronic diseases, particularly delivering programs and interventions through digital and online platforms.

Dr Ooi assists with the day-to-day management of this study, and will contribute to the interpretation and dissemination of the findings.