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Professor John Beltrame is the Head of the Discipline of Medicine at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. He is an academic cardiologist with active research, clinical and teaching roles.


His international reputation and expertise focuses on coronary vascular disorders. However, in recent years he has broadened his focus to include:



  • peripheral artery disease (in collaboration with the Vascular Surgical Research Group led by Professor Rob Fitridge)

  • molecular mechanisms in vascular disorders (in collaboration with Dr David Wilson)

  • gender disparities in cardiovascular disorders

  • depression (in collaboration with Dr Geoff Schrader)

  • cardiovascular imaging and health service delivery, with projects such as CADOSA (Coronary Angiogram Database of South Australia).


His collaborative studies not only involve local hospitals and institutions but also international institutions in the United States, Holland, Italy and Japan.


Prof Beltrame is focused on translational research, an approach that aims to ensure medical research findings are usable and applicable to patients as quickly as possible. This involves a combination of different types of research:

  • Firstly, integrated laboratory and clinical research or ‘bench to beside’ research which includes discoveries generated in the laboratory and then developed in clinical trials.
  • Secondly, exploring ways of applying evidence-based medicine, recommendations or guidelines to clinical practice. This type of research yields knowledge about real-world settings.

Prof Beltrame undertakes basic, clinical and epidemiological studies into cardiovascular disorders with the objective of improving the health of these patiently. Currently the group focuses on coronary heart disease and peripheral artery disease, although many principles are applicable to other vascular disorders.

The research group includes both physicians and medical scientists located at the Basil Hetzel Institute, the University of Adelaide Medical School and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The integrative nature of the group provides a unique opportunity to ensure that innovations are translated from bench to bedside to health outcome, as well as the reverse.

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science (University of Adelaide, 29th April 1981)
  • Bachelor of Medicine (Flinders University, 13th April 1986)
  • Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (4th December 1992)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Medicine (University of Adelaide, 13th April 2000)

Professional Associations

1992 – present: Royal Australasian College of Physicians

1992 – present: The Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand

1992 – present: South Australian Italian Medical Association

1995 – present: The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Medical Staff Society

1998 – 99: The Massachusetts Medical Society

2003 – present: Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology

2004 – present: Fellow of the American College of Cardiology

2005 – present: Fellow of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand

2007 – present: International Society for Heart Research

2009 – present: American Heart Association (Professional Member)

2012 – present: Fellow of the American Heart Association

International Committees

  • Working Group on Coronary Pathophysiology and Microcirculation of the European Society of Cardiology Member (2006 – present)
  • American Heart Association Quality Care Outcomes and Research Council, International Representative for the Leadership Committee (2012 – present)
  • International Consortium for Health Outcome Measurement (ICHOM) Coronary Artery Disease Working Group Member (2013 – 2014)
  • International Consortium for Health Outcome Measurement (ICHOM) Coronary Artery Disease Steering Committee Member (2014 – present)
  • American Heart Association Quality of Care and Outcomes Research Scientific Sessions 2013 – Faculty Member Coronary Artery Vasospastic Angina Summit – Co-Chair (2013)
  • Coronary Vasomotion Disorders International Study (COVADIS) Group – Co-founder & Co-chair (2013- present)

Positions held in the last 10 years

  • 2004 – present: Fellow of the American College of Cardiology
  • 2005 – present: Fellow of the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand
  • 2007 – present: International Society for Heart Research
  • 2008 – 2010 Associate Professor in Medicine The University of Adelaide,
  • (Cardiology) The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide.
  • 2009 – present: American Heart Association (Professional Member)
  • 2010 – present: Michell Professor of Medicine The University of Adelaide,
  • (Discipline of Medicine) The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Adelaide.
  • 2012 – present: Cardiology Academic Lead Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN)
  • 2012 – present: Fellow of the American Heart Association