Highlights of the week:
Bryner Joins CT Surgery Faculty
Please join us in welcoming Benjamin S. Bryner, MD, MS, to the Duke Heart team! Bryner has been with Duke since 2016 when he arrived as a thoracic surgery resident. Having completed his CT surgery training in June, he has officially joined the faculty in the Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery as an assistant professor of surgery. He specializes in heart and lung transplantation.
Bryner earned his medical degree, with distinction in research, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. There, Bryner spent a significant amount of time researching ECMO under the mentorship of Dr. Robert Bartlett. Throughout his general surgery training, also at Michigan, he earned several research excellence and teaching awards, including the James W. Crudup Award, given for excellence in research.

He says he was drawn to Duke because he wanted the experience in organ transplantation he knew he would get from our program, as well as the fact that Duke has one of the largest and busiest ECMO programs in the U.S.

Bryner is originally from Utah and here with his wife who is a PhD student in public policy and political science at Duke. He is looking forward to meeting and connecting with even more of the Duke Heart team and looks forward to expanding his research collaborations and to participating in the expansion of new programs and services.
We are happy to have him on faculty with us. Please introduce yourself to Ben when you have the opportunity to do so!

Welcome, Jillian Ream!
Please join us in welcoming Jillian Ream as she begins her new role as Executive Director of Development in the Department of Medicine. She fills the leadership role last held by Blue Dean, who departed Duke Health after eight years to oversee the development efforts for University Libraries at UNC-Chapel Hill.

Jillian will collaborate with Kathleen Cooney and Magnus Ohman, Vice Chair for Development and Innovation, as well as the other division chiefs, to increase development efforts in the coming year.

Jillian joined Duke Health Development and Alumni Affairs in 2013 and has served as chief fundraiser and manager of philanthropic giving for the Duke Eye Center since 2015. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University and a master’s degree in social work administration, as well as a certificate in nonprofit management, philanthropic studies and volunteerism from The University of Texas at Austin. Jillian has spent the majority of her development career in academic medical settings, including at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Jillian will manage a team of Duke Health Development professionals dedicated to the Department of Medicine, including Sally Schatz and others to be selected soon. Jillian will work closely with Duke Heart Center on our fundraising activities. We look forward to working with her!

Walton Departing Duke, December 2019; Seabrooks Named CTOR Scheduler

As many of you know, Mary Walton, our cardiovascular and thoracic operating room (CTOR) scheduling manager has decided to retire in early December after more than 42 years of service at Duke University Hospital. Mary has been a tremendous asset to the Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery and Duke Heart Center. She has built excellent relationships through the years and participated in processes to enhance our CTOR scheduling processes.

With Mary’s pending retirement, Jessica Seabrooks, RN, CCRN, will transfer into the CTOR scheduler role. Many of you know Jessica from 7W. Jessica has more than 13 years of experience with Duke including time with MICU, 3100, the CT Step Down Unit, and most recently, her 6.5 years on 7W. There, she successfully championed the unit’s efforts to reduce patient falls. Jessica has presented her work at multiple local and national conferences. We believe Jessica’s experience in bed flow, as a charge nurse, and as a preceptor will provide great value in her transition to the CTOR scheduler position.

Many thanks to Mary for her incredible years of service to all of us! Please congratulate and welcome Jessica to the CTOR scheduling role when you see her.

Good Catch, Shannon Brennan, 3300!
Another “eagle eyed” Duke Heart team member makes a good catch! Shannon Brennan, one of our amazing nurses on 3300, caught an incorrect order of magnesium
at discharge for a patient with heart transplant and end stage renal disease. This helped prevent complications due to hypermagnesium. Way to go, Shannon — keep up the great work!

Rivera, Zhang Achieve Advanced Certification in Sonography
The Duke Heart Clinical Diagnostic Unit is proud to announce that two of our sonographers, Danny Rivera and Jian Zhang, successfully passed the Advanced Cardiac Sonographer (ACS) examination. ACS sonographers practice at an advanced level in the echocardiography laboratory improving lab quality and efficiency; performing advanced echocardiograms and mentoring fellows, students, residents and staff; developing and implementing educational plans; facilitating continuous quality improvement, and coordinating cardiac ultrasound research.

Danny and Jian join the ranks of Hillary Hrabak, Batina Kight, Mike Foster, Ashlee Davis, Josh Lander, and John Toptine as Duke Sonographers who have all achieved the Advanced Cardiac Sonographer certification.

The regular advancement in learning and achievement demonstrated by our sonography team is one of the reasons Duke is able to provide the highest levels of care to our patients. Good Work Danny and Jian!

Kudos to Chris Wrobel!
We learned this week of outstanding support offered by Chris Wrobel, a first-year cardiology fellow. According to Mike Nanna, also a fellow with the division of cardiology, Wrobel was having an extremely busy night as the CCU fellow on call when two patients simultaneously required somewhat challenging procedures. Chris managed to keep his cool in a stressful situation, took advantage of the resources he had available, prioritized effectively, and successfully provided the necessary care to his patients. His technical competence, effective team management, and leadership abilities were under full display. Chris’s clinical skill and ability to maintain his composure as an early first-year fellow were truly impressive.

Way to go, Chris! Thanks for being an exemplary part of our team. Many thanks to Mike Nanna and to Anna Lisa Crowley for sharing this with the Pulse!

Duke Heart team expands by two!
The Duke Heart team is twice-blessed thanks to the recent arrival of newborns. Hooray!

The Doberne & Chien family is pleased to introduce Adrian Isaac Chien, born Aug. 17. Julie Doberne, MD, PhD, is a trainee in our Integrated CT Surgery Training Program. Doberne reports that all are doing well; she and husband Christopher Chien, along with Adrian’s big sister, Samantha, thank everyone for their ongoing support.

We are happy to report that Tiffany & Cale Sito, as well as big sister, Hazel, welcomed a baby boy named Hunter on Aug. 22, weighing 7 lbs., 3 oz. Tiffany Sito is one of our cardiology nurse practitioners; she reports that everyone is doing well and that her family appreciates everyone’s well wishes. She adds, “See y’all in November!”

Congratulations to both families!

Fifth Annual Hitting with Heart Softball Tourney: Sept. 8
Calling all softball fans…and fans of food trucks and bounce houses! The 5th Annual Hitting with Heart softball tournament will take place on Sunday, Sept. 8 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Valley Springs Park, (3805 Valley Springs Road, Durham). Although teams are finalized, we are looking for volunteers to help at the event, which raises funds for the upcoming American Heart Association Heart Walk. If you have time and the willingness to help, please contact Heather Pena at heather.pena@duke.edu. We encourage everyone to join us for any part of the day – it is a fun gathering for a great cause. Many thanks to everyone who works hard to plan this event. (And yes – there will be food trucks and a bounce house!)

Commemorative 25th Anniversary Books Available
Own a piece of history! We have a limited number of extra copies of the Duke Heart Center 25th anniversary commemorative photo book available while supplies last. They are located on the 8th floor of the HAFS building and are available on a first come, first served basis at no cost. Please see Renee Storey in person, or send an email to Tracey Koepke if you would like a copy.

Reminder: CVRC Open House
The Duke Cardiovascular Research Center (CVRC) will hold an open house on Friday, Sept. 13 from 5-6:30 p.m. to celebrate their newly renovated space in the Carl Building. Everyone from Duke Heart is welcome to attend. There will be opening remarks from leadership, refreshments, and a tour of the space. We look forward to seeing you there and to celebrating with our CVRC team! Please let Cheryl Woodard know by Sept. 9 if you plan to attend. Her email is cheryl.woodard@duke.edu.

ICYMI: Triangle Now Fourth Largest Life Science Hub in U.S.
The rankings are based on life science employment concentration and growth, company concentration, venture capital funding, NIH funding and patents. See the news story here: https://www.wraltechwire.com/2019/08/29/triangle-now-4th-largest-life-science-hub-in-us-says-new-report/

ATTN: Duke Heart Alumni/DUCCS
Hey, Duke Heart alumni… are you planning a trip to Durham, NC? Duke’s new alumni center is now open! The Karsh Alumni and Visitors Center located at 2080 Duke University Road, is a 48,000 square foot complex with three main buildings — an events building with atrium/lobby, a market for snacks and beverages, a hall with state-of-the-art, interactive technology wall and a board room; the Forlines House with a lounge, library and meeting room; and an office building for Alumni Affairs staff members. There is also a grassy quad in the middle of the complex that can be tented for gatherings, receptions and dinners. Be sure to stop in and check it out the next time you are on campus.

Karsh Official Grand Opening/Founders’ Weekend
Saturday, Sept. 28
1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Duke Community Open House/Homecoming Weekend
Sunday, Oct. 13
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Upcoming Opportunities/Save the Date:
September 22: Triangle Heart Walk.
Check in starts at 12:30 p.m.; the walk is at 2 p.m. at PNC Arena. Have you registered? Help Duke beat UNC – we need more walkers!

It is not too late to register as a team captain or to join an already formed team (there are several to join as part of Duke Heart as well as all major DUHS entities) – please visit: https://www2.heart.org/site/TR?company_id=209022&fr_id=4327&pg=company

Consider joining our Heart Center team aimed at partnering to advance cardiovascular health through community engagement (PACE). Here is the link (or search for “PACE”): http://www2.heart.org/goto/PACEHeartWalkTeam

The Return of Cardiology Grand Rounds
We know you have missed it! Please join us as we resume Cardiology Grand Rounds with Michael Fradley of USF Health as our first guest. He will present Nuts and Bolts of Cardio-Oncology: From pathophysiology to program development. Monday, Sept. 9, 7:15 a.m., DN, 2001. Breakfast will be available, but please arrive early if you want dibs on your favorites!
Upcoming Grand Rounds:
• Sept. 17: Ron Witteles, of Stanford Medicine. Cardiac Amyloidosis. 7:15 a.m., DN, 2003.

Have news to share?
If you have news to share with the Pulse readership, please contact Tracey Koepke, director of communications for Duke Heart at tracey.koepke@duke.edu. We would love to hear about your latest accomplishments, professional news, cool happenings, and any events or opportunities that may be of interest to our Duke Heart family. Please call with any questions: 919-681-2868. Feedback on Pulse is welcome and encouraged.

Duke Heart in the News:
August 26 — Thomas Owens and Duke University Hospital
The New York Times
Inside North Carolina’s Big Effort to Transform Health Care

August 28 — Jennifer Rymer
tctMD/the heart beat
Aborted TAVR Procedures Are Waning in the US
https://www.tctmd.com/news/aborted-tavr-procedures-are-waning-us