Professor William Heddle (AM)

Professor William Heddle RFD MD FRACP FCSANZ FAMA FHRS CCDS GAICD is a highly trained and experienced cardiologist and electrophysiologist and has been a pioneer in the development of arrhythmia management.

Professor Heddle graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1972 where he was awarded the Christopher and John Campbell Prize for first place in Biochemistry. He then went on to postgraduate studies in Obstetrics and Anaesthesia followed by Physician Training in 1974 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Professor Heddle commenced his cardiology training at the Flinders Medical Centre in 1977 and he was the first trainee in cardiac electrophysiology in SA. Since then his training has been directed towards furthering his expertise in management of arrhythmias.

This has included research performed both in Australia and The Netherlands into the diagnosis, mechanisms and management of arrhythmias. Professor Heddle was awarded his Fellowship to the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP) in 1980, his Doctorate in Medicine in 1985, and Fellowship of the Cardiac Society of Australian and New Zealand (FCSANZ) in 2004. He was granted Fellowship to the Australian Medical Association in 2006.

Professor Heddle is Senior Consultant Cardiologist at Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, former Associate Dean and Head Flinders Southern Adelaide Clinical School, School of Medicine, Flinders University and currently Senior Clinical Advisor to the MD degree, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University. 

Earlier in 2012 Professor Heddle was awarded Fellowship in the Heart Rhythm Society (FRHS). At that time Professor Heddle was the ninth Australian and first South Australian to be awarded the FRHS.

Professor Heddle's honorary appointments are many and varied and include:

• 1994 - 1999 Clinical Advisor in Cardiology Ashford Community Hospital
• 1999 - present Chairman, AMA (SA) Road Safety Committee
• 2002 - 2003 Vice President AMA (SA)
• 2003 - 2005 President AMA (SA)
• 2004 - 2010 Federal Councillor AMA (Physician Craft Group representative)
• 2004 - 2012 Chairman Physician Consultative Group Australian Defence Force
• 2005 - present SA Councillor – Australian Association of Consultant Physicians
• 2005 - 2008, 2020 - 2022 Chairman of Directors SA Heart Centres
• 2007 - 2009 Vice President Australian Association of Consultant Physicians (AACP)
• 2009 - 2013 President - Australian Association of Consultant Physicians (AACP)
• 2010 - 2023 past Member of Prosthesis List Advisory Committee (PLAC), and current member Cardiovascular Expert Advisory Group, Federal Department of Health and Ageing

Professor Heddle conducts regular clinics at our Ashford, Morphett Vale and Flinders locations as well as Berri, Mount Gambier, and Victor Harbor. He also visits Mount Barker to provide cardiac device checks for his patients living in the Adelaide Hills region.

Professor Heddle is the immediate past Chairman of SA Heart.