Real Hearts, Real Talk: Virtual Event for Young Adults with Congenital & Childhood-Acquired Heart Conditions

Join an exclusive event for young adults, aged 18-35 with congenital & childhood-acquired heart conditions

With a dedicated focus on connection, insight and entertainment, the session aims to empower you in your health journey with invaluable information and peer support.

Gain insight from healthcare professionals, passionate ambassadors, and fellow young adults with congenital and childhood-acquired heart conditions, who will share their experiences, providing a safe and open forum for questions and access to helpful information.

Spend an evening with us! It's a chance to meet others who understand what you're going through, in a friendly space where we can all share and learn together.

Confirmed Speakers:

Brihony Dawson- Master of Ceremonies

Brihony Dawson is Australia’s most dynamic non-binary keynote speaker, TV host, and MC.

With a passion for gender diversity and visibility in entertainment, sport, and corporate settings, Brihony’s journey has touched people from all walks of life. From selling cars to rubbing shoulders with rockstars, Brihony’s inner magic and charm make everyone feel like the most important person in the room. We are so excited to be welcoming Brihony as our MC for this special event.

Dominica Zentner- Guest Speaker

A/Prof Dominica Zentner is an adult cardiologist at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, in Victoria. She runs the Cardiac Pregnancy Clinic and is part of the team that looks after adults with congenital heart disease.

Charlotte Verrall- Guest Speaker

Dr Charlotte Verrall is a registered clinical neuropsychologist. She works in the Adult Congenital Heart Disease Service at Sydney’s Royal Price Alfred Hospital, and at the Sydney Children’s Hospital. Charlotte's experience includes neuropsychological assessment, mental health, and working with people living with complex congenital heart disease. We are looking forward to hearing Charlotte's responses during the panel discussions.

Elle Pendrick- Guest Speaker

Founder of Adulting Well, Elle Pendrick dedicated to empowering people navigating life with chronic illness to thrive in every aspect. With a personal journey shaped by congenital heart disease, she's embarked on a mission to transform challenges into opportunities. Elle is also a former HeartKids board member and will be joining the virtual event to share her knowledge in a breakout session!

Amber Adamson- Guest Speaker

Amber is the current Acting Adult Congenital Heart Disease Clinical Nurse Consultant at The Prince Charles Hospital. She has been nursing congenital heart patients since she was a new graduate. Amber is passionate about nurturing patients through their emotional, mental, and physical changes as they transition into adulthood with congenital heart defects. She prides herself on being a friendly face and point of contact in the hospital during what can be a challenging time for young adults with heart conditions.

Derek Tran- Guest Speaker

Dr Derek Tran is a Lecturer at the University of Sydney School of Medicine and Senior Exercise Physiologist at the Department of Cardiology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. He is also appointed as a Senior Exercise Physiology Fellow and Principal Exercise Physiologist at the Heart Research Institute. His primary area of research is cardiopulmonary exercise testing and exercise physiology in people living with complex cardiopulmonary conditions such as congenital heart disease. He led the national consensus recommendations for exercise in adolescents and adults with congenital heart disease and is the co-coordinator of the world’s largest multi-centre congenital heart disease exercise clinical trial – The Congenital Heart Fitness Intervention Trial (CH-FIT).

If you have any questions regarding this event, please reach out to our events team at jess@wearephoenix.com.au.