Meet our Trustees
At The Heart Trust, our Trustees are a diverse group of highly respected professionals and community leaders, united by a shared vision: to ensure the Midland region has access to world-class cardiac care.
Drawing on decades of clinical, governance, and community experience, our Trustees are proactive and forward-thinking, constantly seeking new ways to accelerate innovation and improve patient outcomes.
Their leadership has been instrumental in driving The Heart Trust’s mission, from championing groundbreaking technology and supporting specialist training to fostering partnerships that benefit over a million people across Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Thames/Coromandel, Taranaki, and Gisborne. Guided by expertise and a deep commitment to community wellbeing, our Trustees work tirelessly to bridge the gap between rapid medical advances and the realities of public funding, ensuring that every heartbeat in our region counts.
Discover more about the dedicated individuals steering The Heart Trust’s vision for the future of heart health.
Dr Clyde Wade
MB, ChB, MBA, FRACP, Cardiologist (Chair)
Clyde was a cardiologist at Waikato Hospital for over 30 years. He was principally responsible for the development of cardiac surgery and coronary angioplasty at Waikato and was the cardiac unit’s first Clinical Director. Clyde has held senior clinical and management posts at Waikato Hospital, including as Head of Medicine. He served three terms as an elected member of the DHB. “I have always regarded the Trust as the cardiac unit’s ‘secret weapon’. I have no doubt that without the support of the Trust, the people of the Midland region would not have the world-class services they have today”.
Trustee of The Heart Trust since 1983.
Sue Martin
BN, retired Clinical Nurse Manager
Sue’s experience and knowledge of cardiology has served the Trust well since 1968. Sue had a long career in cardiology, becoming Charge Nurse of the Cardiology Unit in 1998, where she led a team of registered nurses until retirement in 2014. Sue is proud that the Trust has supported colleagues with extra training and development and provided equipment for the benefit of many patients in the community.
Leonie Tisch
QSM
Leonie has held various governance and leadership roles in the community, including four years on the Waikato District Health Board, and after twelve years retired as a councillor on the Matamata Piako District in 2016. She is a Rotarian who, in 2017/18, served as the District Governor of District 9930, which encompasses the central north island from Huntly in the north to Waipukurau in the south. Leonie, a mother of two and grandmother of two, has been a trustee since 1995. She has always kept a sharp eye out for the health and well-being of others. "I'll continue to support The Heart Trust in making a real difference to the lives in our community," says Leonie.
Dr Chris Milne
QSM, MB, ChB, Dip Sports Med, FRNZCGP, FACSP
Chris is a Sports and Exercise Physician and has served as Team Doctor for the Chiefs Super Rugby team, plus NZ Olympic and Commonwealth Games teams for over 20 years.
In his work with elite and recreational athletes, he has dealt with many heart-related issues and is passionate about ensuring world-class heart care is available in the Waikato and wider Midland health region.
He served as Chair of The Heart Trust from 2010-2022 and received a QSM for his contribution to community health care in 2013.
Trustee of The Heart Trust since 1991.
Dr Pranesh M Jogia
Cardiologist and Intensive Care Specialist MBChB FRACP FCICM FCSANZ
Pranesh is a Cardiologist and an Intensive Care Specialist at Waikato Hospital. He grew up in Hamilton and is passionate about seeing that all residents of the greater Waikato region are delivered world-class Cardiac Care services.
His subspecialty interests include looking after critically ill cardiac patients and cardiac imaging, and he understands first-hand the technology necessary to care for patients in this area. He is privileged to be part of the Heart Trust, which assists the Midland Region to continue to be at the forefront of patient care.
Trustee of The Heart Trust since 2015.
Dr Madhav Menon
MB BS FRACP
Madhav completed his cardiology specialist training at Waikato Hospital. Following a two year interventional cardiology fellowship at University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA he returned to Hamilton as a consultant cardiologist at Waikato Hospital from 2008. Dr Menon is the Director of Cardiac Services Ltd cardiology group where he consults and performs various investigative tests along with an established group of colleagues. He is a board director at Midland Cardiovascular ltd and is a member of the advisory board in Pharmac for coronary interventions.
Trustee of The Heart Trust since 2023.
Kevin Johnson
Help us bring world-class heart care to your community
Every heartbeat matters
Since 1976, The Heart Trust has been at the forefront of improving cardiac care for over one million people across the Midland region, ensuring that life-saving technology, specialist expertise, and advanced treatments reach patients and families when they need it most.
Email: info@thehearttrust.org.nz
Phone: 027 391 5854
Address: 14 Horne Street, Hamilton 3204