Where did you complete your training?
I completed medical school and my pediatric training at the University of Adelaide in Australia. I completed my cardiology training (pediatrics with some adult training) at Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne and following that I did 2 years of fellowship training at BC Children’s Hospital, a year of teaching fellowship at BC Children’s Hospital, a year of Electrophysiology training at St Paul’s Hospital – I became involved in the adult congenital heart disease program at that time.

What is your special area of interest?
I have a very varied practice which includes adults and children with congenital heart disease. I have a special interest in fetal echocardiography (diagnosing CHD in fetal life) and non invasive electrophysiology – (everything but the cath lab!). I enjoy the challenge of caring for adults with CHD, many with very complex conditions, and with the opening of the Heritable Aortopathies clinic; I now have a new challenge.

What is the best thing about working in the Congenital Heart Disease specialty?
The best thing about working in this specialty is the multidisciplinary approach in caring for individuals with CHD.  We are caring for patients who have had surgical repairs and treatments that are no longer done because of the advances in the management of CHD. In some respects, we are seeing the evolution of congenital heart disease.

What is one thing that you think that all patients with Congenital Heart Disease should know?
Every patient should know how to advocate for themselves – they need to be well informed about their heart condition. I also believe that it is possible for our CHD patients to achieve much more than what they may have initially been led to believe; our knowledge and beliefs have changed significantly over the past 40 years.

If you weren’t a doctor, what would you be?
If I wasn’t a doctor, I would be a large animal veterinarian. I grew up with a menagerie of animals and love my furry friends!

Do you have any interesting hobbies or talents or pets?
I have a house full of animals – 2 cats and a dog that were rescued; 2 show jumper horses (one retired and one that competes). I love anything outdoors; I am a competitive triathlete and long distance runner and have competed at world championships on a number of occasions