A/Prof Tom Ford is an Interventional Cardiologist with expertise in angina and ischaemic heart disease, complex coronary disease and CTO procedures. Based on the Central Coast of NSW, A/Prof Ford is the Director of Central Heart, where he leads the provision of advanced cardiac care for the local community. Though primarily based at Central Heart, A/Prof Ford regularly travels to the Eastern Heart Clinic at Prince of Wales Hospital.

With over 10 years of experience as a cardiologist, A/Prof Ford is energised about his practice as he continues to build on his expertise. He is an invited proctor for rotablation and a certified orbital atherectomy operator, regularly performing complex interventions.

As a conjoint Associate Professor at the University of Newcastle, he mentors trainees and leads cardiology research on the Central Coast. With advanced training in both Australia and the UK, including a fellowship at the Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Glasgow, Dr Ford’s PhD in invasive assessment of angina has contributed to cardiology guideline development, and his research, including 140 scientific manuscripts, has been widely published and presented at major conferences.

Dr Sama is a Fellow of the Australasian Chapter of Sexual Health Medicine, holds an Advanced Masters in Psychosexual Therapy from the University of Sydney, and is a Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine. He is the director of Sydney Men’s Health, a specialised clinic caring for men and couples experiencing sexual function and issues affecting intimacy. Alongside his clinical practice, Dr Sama is passionate about medical education and leadership. He serves as a senior lecturer with the Australian National University Rural Clinical School and is the current Chair of the Training Committee in Sexual Health Medicine with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He holds an appointment as a Staff Specialist at Clinic 16; the specialised sexual health clinic attached to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. Dr Sama is a highly skilled sexual health physician and dedicated to providing a respectful and evidence-based approach, providing comprehensive care for men’s sexual function, sexual wellbeing, and intimate relationships. His background also includes extensive experience in HIV management and a broad range of sexual health concerns.

Prof Michael K. Georgieff, MD, holds the position of the Martin Lenz Harrison Land Grant Chair in Paediatrics. He is a Professor of Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and Developmental Psychology, and a Founder and Director of the Masonic Institute for the Developing Brain at the University of Minnesota. He received his MD from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. He served his internship, residency and neonatal fellowship at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a fellowship in neonatology at the University of Minnesota. In addition to caring for patients on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Dr. Georgieff was the Director of the NICU Follow-up Program and the University of Minnesota for 40 years. He has been continuously funded in the field of iron and brain development by the National Institutes of Health for 35 years and has published over 300 scientific articles. He advises the American Academy of Paediatrics, the National Institutes of Health and UNICEF on nutrition and early child development.

Barb has 20 years of experience in strategic and tactical communications and engagement. Prior to working with MND Australia, she spent 10 years in the higher education sector. Her experience includes working closely with medical doctors, clinical practitioners, and researchers to create information for various audiences. She holds a degree in Business, Marketing & Management (UTS).