Professor David Playford is a WA graduate who did his initial training in general medicine followed by cardiology at Royal Perth Hospital. He has a PhD from University of Western Australia, in Vascular Function and diabetes, and a fellowship in echocardiography from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School. He is currently Professor of Cardiology at the Mount Hospital, Perth and Professor of Cardiology at the University of Notre Dame, Fremantle. A well respected educator, he is coordinator of the cardiovascular teaching at the School of Medicine. He founded the cardiovascular living anatomy program, which was awarded a vice chancellor's award for teaching. He has also been awarded the Notre Dame teacher of the year award for the School of Medicine. His main research interests are pulmonary hypertension and echocardiography.

He has been a founder and managing director of several companies including a private cardiology practice, a sleep disorders clinic, and a vascular practice. He is on several national boards, has acted as advisor for the WA Health Department.