The Opening Address at the 60^th Annual Scientific Meeting Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSANZ) was presented by Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and BMA Chair in Indigenous Engagement.

Participants at the meeting included cardiologists, cardiac nurses and pathologists along with scientists and researchers in the field of cardiac health in Australia and New Zealand and further afield.

Meeting participants Yvette Roe, Prof Chris Zeitz and Prof Bronwyn Fredericks

Over 1000 people were in the main auditorium at the Brisbane Convention Centre to hear Professor Fredericks' opening address titled ‘Indigenous health: Embracing and Enacting the Spirit of Change'.

Prof Fredericks also offered a paper on some of her research in one of the concurrent sessions and participated as a panelist in an extended lunch-time session on Indigenous cardiac health. The panel session offered the opportunity for an open and direct exchange between cardiac specialists and Indigenous people who are working in healthcare and research.

"This kind of open discussion and access was one of the highlights of the meeting for me," said Prof Fredericks.

Yvette Roe, who recently offered a seminar at CQUniversity on the ‘disparity of care experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people admitted to hospital for acute coronary syndromes (ACS)' also presented at CSANZ.

Prof Fredericks said the "CSANZ really made an effort to include Indigenous issues as a major part of this year's scientific meeting and some great outcomes were achieved".

A group gathers for the lunch-time panel session