The Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research has forged a new partnership with one of Australia’s leaders in heart research.
The strategic partnership with the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (VCCRI) in Melbourne reinforces the Perkins commitment to tackling heart disease across the nation.
Professor Girish Dwivedi, Group Leader of the Advanced Clinical and Translational Cardiovascular Imaging lab and Joint Program Head of Cardiovascular Science and Diabetes Program at the Perkins, Professer at The University of Western Australia Medical School, and Director of the Cardiometabolic Clinic at Fiona Stanley Hospital, has been appointed the newest VCCRI faculty member.
Professor Peter Leedman AO, Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Perkins, acknowledges the new relationship with VCCRI.
“We are excited for this new partnership with the Victor Chang Institute, which is a testament to the industry-leading research being done here in WA under Girish’s leadership.
“We look forward to adding our remarkable advances in clinical research to a national movement to find better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat heart disease, together.”
Professor Dwivedi emphasises this new partnership between VCCRI and the Perkins, bolstered by the support of UWA and Fiona Stanley Hospital, is set to expand the world-class VCCRI-UWA heart hub in Perth, which will now be even better positioned to address the specific needs of the Western Australian population.
“The pursuit of excellence is what initially drew me to Perth, where I embraced positions with the Perkins, UWA and Fiona Stanley Hospital,” says Professor Dwivedi.
“It’s also why I am thrilled to join the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute – an unparalleled beacon of excellence in heart research with ambitious goals for the future.”
He highlighted the distinct challenges faced by WA in cardiac care saying, “Western Australia faces unique cardiac care challenges that demand innovative solutions. With a landmass the size of India, many people live in remote areas with no access to specialised cardiac care, leading to increased mortality and morbidity rates.
“Furthermore, obesity and cardiometabolic diseases disproportionately affect Indigenous populations and culturally diverse communities across WA.
“While heart disease remains our nation’s biggest killer, the geography and demographics of Western Australia create particular urgency for revolutionary approaches to cardiac research and care, which our new partnership is uniquely positioned to address.”
Through this collaborative partnership, Professor Dwivedi and his team at the Perkins will work in synergy with VCCRI researchers both in WA and nationally on several critical projects.
Professor Jason Kovacic, Director and CEO of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, warmly welcomed Professor Dwivedi’s appointment and the new partnership with the Perkins.
“Over the past 12 years, the Institute has worked alongside The University of Western Australia to develop a heart hub in Perth. We have built a strong foundation together that we can now build on with our newest partner, the Perkins.
“We are determined to attract the brightest scientific minds and invest in cutting edge technology that will super charge clinical research and transform cardiac care not just locally but nationally and globally.
“Professor Dwivedi brings both exceptional clinical and research expertise that will be instrumental in growing this world-class hub in Perth.”
“We have an opportunity to create a future where no Western Australian dies prematurely from heart disease, and where our innovations in cardiac care set global standards,” he says.
