Western Australians will have strong input into the Heart Foundation’s endeavours to fund heart disease research, support, and prevention programs.
The Heart Foundation this month officially launched its new Western Australian Advisory Board which is comprised of six prominent Western Australian health and business professionals.
The launch follows last week’s announcement of Mario D’Orazio as the organisation’s first-ever Western Australian to be appointed Chair of its National Board.
Heart Foundation WA General Manager, Dr Helena Viola, said: “The Western Australian Advisory Board has a collective and deep experience in health, community engagement, governance, and communications.
“We believe our state Advisory Board members are influential and essential to discussions in Western Australia around heart disease prevention, care and research.
“With the Advisory Board’s support, I believe we will see a real focus on, and investment in, heart health locally.”
Members of the Western Australian Advisory Board include:
- Mario D’Orazio (Chair), an experienced media executive with extensive Board experience and is presently Chair of both the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts and the Australian Institute of Management Western Australia.
- Dr Matthew Best, a leading cardiologist at Cardiologist at Royal Perth Hospital, The Mount Hospital and Hollywood Hospital.
- Mike McKenna, who has a commercial and marketing background in consumer product, professional services, and sporting organisations. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Optus Stadium.
- Katie Stewart, Co-Founder and Managing Director at Chronic Care Australia. As an experienced clinical exercise physiologist, she is a strong advocate for people living with chronic mental and physical illnesses.
- Fabian Ross, who is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Hockey WA. Having experienced a heart attack in 2016 himself, Fabian knows firsthand the importance of the work of the Heart Foundation and the much-needed funds for research they require.
- Ben Harvey, who has worked as a journalist for over 20 years and is currently the Chief Reporter at the West Australian.
Mario D’Orazio’s appointment to Chair of the National Board warmly welcomed
Current Chair of the Advisory Board, Mario D’Orazio, was last week announced as incoming Chair of the National Board of the Heart Foundation, and will step down from the Advisory Board to take up the new role from 1 January 2023.
Emeritus Professor of Health Policy at Curtin University, Mike Daube AO, welcomed Mr D’Orazio’s appointment.
“This is a very welcome appointment. Mario D’Orazio has an outstanding record of leadership in the media, commercial and arts sectors,” Prof. Daube said.
“He is a strong and committed supporter of health and community organisations and understands the needs of public health, researchers, and the community. He is exceptionally well placed to lead the Heart Foundation over the coming years. I could not be more pleased that he will now be at the helm of this important national organization.”
Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, Executive Director of Telethon Kids Institute, also congratulated Mr D’Orazio.
“Mario has long been an active supporter of organisations that make a genuine difference to people’s lives, from fundraising for child health research to promoting the importance of the arts in our society,” Prof. Carapetis said.
“The work of the Heart Foundation has never been more important, and Mario as Chair will bring his unique ability to connect people and focus on what is most important, so that the Foundation’s impact will be felt by even more Australians.”
