Waikato Cardiothoracic Unit

14/09/2025

🌐 Aortic Dissection Awareness Week 💙

Aortic dissection is a devastating condition that affects many New Zealanders every year, causing immense suffering for patients and their families. Early diagnosis, specialised care, and ongoing research are critical to improving outcomes.

At Waikato Cardiothoracic Unit, we are proud to be at the forefront of aortic disease care in Aotearoa:

✅ Dedicated Aortic Clinics and a national surveillance programme
✅ Comprehensive surgical therapies including frozen elephant trunk, valve-sparing root replacements, and advanced endovascular treatments
✅ A translational research programme focused on:
• Developing new therapies to better manage high blood pressure
• Harnessing AI and advanced imaging to identify patients at risk before rupture occurs
• Creating national care pathways and surveillance systems across New Zealand
• Understanding and addressing the psychological impact of aortic dissection

This work is made possible thanks to support from the Heart Foundation NZ, the John and Ann Burton Award, and Manaaki Manawa – Centre for Heart Research at the The University of Auckland.

Together, we are working to save lives and improve the journey for every patient with aortic disease in New Zealand.

22/08/2025

Congratulations to Professor David J McCormack on his appointment as Interim Dean of Medicine at the The University of Waikato

This milestone is more than a personal achievement, it marks the beginning of a bold new chapter in medical education for Aotearoa New Zealand. As he leads the launch of the New Zealand Graduate School of Medicine (opening 2028), David will shape a workforce that is regionally grounded, socially responsive and future-focused.
A respected cardiothoracic surgeon, national clinical leader and proud Waikato alumnus, David brings the rare combination of clinical excellence, academic insight and strategic vision needed to redefine how we train future doctors.

We are proud to see one of our own take on this historic role and we look forward to supporting him as he helps build the future of healthcare in New Zealand.

Ka rawe, David, this is leadership in action

Dr David McCormack went to medical school after seeing his family struggle getting healthcare in the UK. Now he’ll be teaching other young docs.

21/08/2025

Our time at the Fieldays wasn’t just about ECGs; it was about connection.

Our team loved engaging with the community, breaking down barriers to seeking help and showing how quick checks can start important conversations about heart health.

We’re proud to be part of events like this and look forward to finding even more ways to educate and connect with people outside the hospital.

💬 What would get you to stop and check your ticker?

📰 Read more here:

Some punters who got a free check at the event went home with an urgent GP referral.

16/07/2025

10/06/2025

🐄 We’re at Fieldays!🫀

From now until Saturday 14 June, come visit the Waikato Cardiothoracic Unit at the Hauora Taiwhenua Health & Wellbeing Hub on E Street, Mystery Creek in Hamilton

Meet the team – including surgeons, nurses, perfusionists and cardiac physiologists– and learn more about the surgeries we do every day.

💓 Concerned about your heart rhythm? We’re offering free ECGs on site.

💬 Curious about cardiac surgery, heart health or a career in healthcare? Let’s chat!

📍 Swing by and get your rhythm sorted – we’d love to see you!







Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora
Health NZ - Waikato

09/06/2025

🏃‍♀️ Aorta Be Proud 🏃‍♂️

A huge congratulations to our Waikato Cardiothoracic team "Aorta Be Running" lead by Clinical Nurse Specialist Catherine who took on the Heart Foundation MyMarathon May Challenge and absolutely smashed it💥

🫀 15 team members
🏃‍♀️ 1400 km walked/ran
💰 Over $7,500 raised
🥇 #1 team on the national leaderboard!

A special shoutout to CTS Theatre Charge Nurse Caitlin, who raised an incredible $1600 on her own

We’re incredibly proud of everyone who juggled training and fundraising around their busy schedules, all in the name of heart disease research.

There’s still time to support the cause donations are open here:

🔗 https://www.mymarathon.co.nz/fundraisers/AORTABERUNNING

Ka pai team, you've run with heart ❤️

I’m running MyMarathon to support Kiwi hearts.

06/06/2025

🌏✈️ Waikato in Tokyo

Our Clinical Nurse Specialist and RNFSA, Kelsey Abercrombie, was fortunate to attend the Getinge Asia Pacific EVH Summit in Tokyo, Japan.

The event brought together clinicians from across Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan, Australia, and New Zealand for hands-on training and expert-led sessions in Endoscopic Vessel Harvesting.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring new ideas back to our unit and support the continued growth of EVH in Aotearoa.

Thanks to Getinge for the opportunity
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21/05/2025

We’re excited to share a research milestone!

We have been successful in recruitinging patients for the RSA-PACE Study – Respiratory Sinus Arrhythmia Pacing post-CABG in patients with HFrEF. This groundbreaking international clinical trial explores a novel therapeutic approach to improve cardiac output in heart failure patients following bypass surgery.

Professor Martin Stiles is the Lead Investigator for New Zealand sites, and we’re proud to support such innovative work right here in Waikato.

This achievement wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and collaboration of our research team, clinicians, coordinators, and ward staff. A heartfelt thank you also goes to our trial participants – their involvement is invaluable and helps shape the future of cardiovascular care.

Yesterday was International Clinical Trials Day, a timely reminder of the impact research has on advancing healthcare.

You can read more about this exciting study here:

https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rnz.co.nz%2Fnews%2Fnational%2F561651%2Fnew-pacemaker-being-tested-in-new-zealand&data=05%7C02%7CKelsey.Abercrombie%40waikatodhb.health.nz%7Cfe36bd68e2694a0aa54708dd97f7496e%7C40ee104132d44b368b4fc1d6fd035337%7C0%7C0%7C638833810520196137%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=QscxQf8oUtH9zXMmdMFrVx%2FDEFLFPkTZR8S%2FNFBB6Z8%3D&reserved=0

– The Waikato Cardiothoracic Research Unit

The device is designed to copy the heart's natural rhythm.

11/05/2025

This week, we proudly celebrate the incredible nurses who power the Waikato Cardiothoracic Surgery service — the ones at the bedside, in theatre, in clinics and behind the scenes ensuring patients and their whānau are cared for through some of life’s most vulnerable moments.

Every day, these nurses bring steady hands, sharp minds and compassionate hearts to the work they do. Whether it’s early mornings in surgery, late nights in ICU, or navigating complex recovery journeys — their commitment doesn’t go unnoticed.

To our CTS nurses:
Thank you for your expertise.
Thank you for your empathy.
Thank you for your unwavering support of our patients and our team.

Ngā mihi nui for all that you do.

09/05/2025

🚨 We’re back at Fieldays 2024! 🚨

The Waikato Cardiothoracic Unit is proud to return to the Health Hub at Mystery Creek from 11–14 June for this year’s Fieldays.
Come meet the team! 👋

We’ll have our nurses, surgeons, perfusionists and electrophysiology colleagues on site to chat about the services we provide and answer your questions about heart health.

⚡ Get your heart rhythm checked on the spot
💬 Learn about common procedures like bypass surgery and valve replacements
👥 Hear from the experts who care for patients across the Te Manawa Taki region

Whether you're curious about how the heart works, supporting a whānau member through surgery or just want to say hello — we’d love to chat!

See you at the Health Hub
Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora
Health NZ - Waikato

03/05/2025

A fantastic evening of learning, collaboration, and connection at the Waikato Heart Team Seminar and Dinner this week.

Over 40 people attended — with many more keen to join but limited by space — representing the full spectrum of our multidisciplinary team: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiac Anaesthesia, Perfusion, Ward and Theatre Nursing, Cardiology, and Trainees. We were especially pleased to welcome two senior nurses who travelled down from Tauranga to take part.

The evening was positive, educational, and collaborative — with short, case-based presentations that sparked meaningful discussion around consensus-based decision-making for complex cardiac patients.

Huge thanks to our excellent speakers:
Dr Faeez Mohamad Ali, Prof David J McCormack, Dr Zach DeBoard, and Dr Sanjeevan Pasupathi — each brought insightful and practical perspectives to the table.

We’re also grateful to our generous sponsors, Edwards Lifesciences, Tanya Hammond, and Muriel, and to everyone who made this event a success. The food was great, but the conversation was even better.

We're hoping to make the Te Manawa Taki Heart Team Seminar and Dinner a quarterly event — the next one will be in August/September. Stay tuned!



Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora
Health NZ - Waikato

17/03/2025

Today marks exactly 40 years since Fiona Woods began her journey at Waikato Hospital. Starting as a typist for Cardiology in 1985, Fiona played a key role in establishing the Waikato Cardiothoracic Unit alongside Dr. Clyde Wade, which officially opened in 1989 with her as the secretary.

Since then Fiona has been the heart of our department, supporting its growth and ensuring seamless operations for staff and patients alike. Over the years, she has ushered more than 15,000 patients through their operative journey, offering reassurance, guidance and a steady presence during what is often a stressful time.

Her dedication, warmth and professionalism have made her an irreplaceable part of the team. As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we thank Fiona for her commitment and the lasting impact she has made on Cardiothoracic Surgery at Health NZ - Waikato