Chief’s message:
Thomas Awarded Distinguished Professorship, Effective July 1
Congratulations to electrophysiologist Kevin Thomas, MD, the newly named Donald F. Fortin, M.D. Distinguished Professor of Cardiology.
Thomas is among 32 faculty members at Duke University selected to receive distinguished professorships this year. Approval was made by Duke’s Board of Trustees during their February meeting. Each awardee will be recognized during a ceremony at the Washington Duke Inn on May 23. Their new professorships will be effective on July 1.
“I am very pleased to honor these faculty members with distinguished professorships,” said President Vincent Price. “Their outstanding scholarship has advanced knowledge across a wide variety of fields and made a positive impact on society, and I am proud to have them as colleagues.”
Distinguished professorships honor faculty who are well-established members of the Duke academic community and have also achieved distinction as creative scholars in their field or in their ability to transcend disciplines.
“I congratulate my colleagues on receiving distinguished professorships recognizing their impressive scholarly achievements and leadership in our academic community and beyond,” said Provost Alec D. Gallimore. “Duke is tremendously fortunate to count these bold thinkers among its faculty.”
Well deserved, Kevin! Congratulations!
Gutierrez, Rymer Selected for SCAI ELM Cohort
Congratulations to interventional cardiologists Tony Gutierrez and Jennifer Rymer! We learned this week that both have been selected as fellows for the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) 2024-2026 Emerging Leader Mentorship (ELM) Program. Only 12 interventionalists are chosen each year.
The mission of the ELM Program is to take a small, highly select group of up-and-coming physicians and support their transition into the next
generation of great thinkers, presenters, teachers, and leaders. Interaction of the ELM Fellows with a highly accomplished panel of Mentors and other ELM Alumni will be fostered during the program, which will also provide Fellows with individualized tools and resources. SCAI conducts this program in partnership with the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF).
During the cohort period fellows will attend dedicated in-person training sessions three times per year during the SCAI, TCT, and ACC annual meetings. They will also be given opportunities for faculty speaking at SCAI and partnering organizations that are congruent with their interests and area of focus. In this way, the ELM Program will assist participants in reaching maximum potential and transitioning into national and societal leaders.
A core mission of the ELM Program is to encourage participation in service opportunities including positions on Councils and Committees that coincide with each Fellow’s clinical, research, or educational interests.
This is a wonderful opportunity for Drs. Gutierrez and Rymer and we are so excited for them.
Congratulations, Jenn and Tony!
Podgoreanu, Selvaraj & Voora Appointed to CPH Faculty Leadership Team
The Center for Precision Health (CPH) has announced the addition of 10 faculty members, including three Duke Heart team members who will serve on the CPH leadership team: Mihai Podgoreanu, MD, chief, division of cardiac anesthesiology; Senthil Selvaraj, MD, assistant professor of medicine in cardiology, and Deepak Voora, MD, associate professor of medicine in cardiology and executive director of the Veterans Affairs National Pharmacogenomics Program. The leadership team also includes surgical oncologist Shelley Huang, MD, vice chair of research in the Department of Surgery.
CPH is a collaborative effort between Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and the Precision Genomics Collaboratory (PGC) that works to harness the power of genomic, biomarker, and health data to transform patient care and population health.
The new faculty team will help CPH expand clinical genetics, conduct clinically relevant translational research, perform cutting-edge implementation science, engage with and build trust in the community, as well as contribute to educating the ‘workforce of tomorrow.’
“We are thrilled to have an amazing cohort of faculty joining the Center for Precision Health,” said cardiologist Svati H. Shah, MD, MHS, the Ursula Geller Distinguished Professor of Research in Cardiovascular Diseases, associate dean for translational research and director of the CPH. “Their talents and expertise will help us expand our basic, translational, and clinical research and allow us to harness the power of genomic, biomarker and health data to transform patient care and population health.”
To read more and see the full list of faculty for CPH, please visit https://duke.is/j/4vud.
Congratulations Mihai, Senthil, and Deepak!
Newest JACC Editors Named; Duke Well Represented
Incoming Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) Editor-in-Chief Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, SM, FACC, cardiologist with Yale University, this week announced the members of his new Editorial Board, each of whom will be responsible for helping to position the journal as the leading beacon for advancing global cardiovascular health, effective July 1.
Several Duke faculty members are on the team, as well as a number of Duke graduates and former trainees, including:
- Lesley H. Curtis, PhD, Duke professor of population health sciences and of medicine. Curtis will serve as a deputy editor.
- Melvin Echols, MD, cardiologist with Morehouse School of Medicine and a former Duke Cardiology fellow. Echols will serve as an associate editor.
- Kushal T. Kadakia, MSc, a Duke graduate and former member of Duke-Margolis Institute for Health Policy. Kadakia will serve as a deputy associate editor.
- Carolyn Lam, MBBS, PhD, cardiologist with Duke-National University of Singapore, will serve as a deputy editor.
- Neha Pagidipati, MD, MPH, cardiologist and director of the Duke Cardiometabolic Prevention Clinic will serve as an associate editor.
- Anne Marie Valente, MD, of Harvard Medical School, is a former Duke fellow in pediatric cardiology and in adult cardiovascular disease. Valente will serve as an associate editor.
Congratulations to all!
Burleson Named Nurse Manager, DUH 3100, Effective April 1
Duke Heart is pleased to announce that Matt Burleson, BSN, RN will become Nurse Manager, Operations for Duke University Hospital’s Cardiothoracic Stepdown Unit 3100 effective April 1.
Matt earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2015 and is currently pursuing his Master of Science in Nursing through East Carolina University. He began his nursing career on a progressive cardiac care unit in Atlanta, Georgia and transitioned to Duke’s Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit in September of 2016. His time spent on the Surgical Trauma ICU has been carried out through a variety of roles including Preceptor, Resource Nurse, and Charge Nurse. Over the past 2.5 years, he has served as Assistant Nurse Manger. As ANM, he has contributed to the continuation of the SICU CLABSI Reduction Initiative, lead Mass Casualty Incident Plan preparedness, and facilitated Armed and Dangerous drills.
He enjoys the opportunity to listen to, teach, and coach team members. Matt also has been an active member of Duke’s Patient Response Team where he has appreciated building relationships and caring for patients across a wider breadth of the hospital. Matt is looking forward to joining the Duke Heart Team and continuing his journey as a Duke Nurse Leader.
Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Matt to his new role.
Shout-out to Fox!
A shout-out to Duke Heart clinical nurse specialist, Allison Fox, who presented at the 2024 National Association for Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) Annual Conference. NACNS 2024 was held on March 10-13 in New Orleans. Fox shared her abstract presentation, “Introducing Subcutaneous Diuretic Therapy in the Ambulatory Setting,” which highlighted the CNS role in bridging the gap between innovation and clinical practice in the heart failure clinic.
Way to go, Allison!
Kudos to Heart Care Team & Zwischenberger!
We received a wonderful patient comment this week regarding heart surgeon Brittany Zwischenberger, MD, and the patient’s full care team. The note, captured by Press Ganey HCAHPS, went to David Gallagher, chief medical officer. He then shared it with our team:
“I must commend the following people for their good care – Miles, Colby, Ashley, Erica, Lindsey, Amber, Catherine, Mallory, Taylor, and Dr. Brittany Zwischenberger. Plus Joan in pre-op.” – a grateful patient
Thank you for the high quality and compassionate care you provide to patients! – Dr. David Gallagher
Kudos, Brittany and team – you’re amazing providers and we are fortunate to have you on our team!
Duke-DCRI Reception at ACC.24
For those of you attending the American College of Cardiology’s Annual Scientific Sessions (April 6-8), please join us at the annual Duke-DCRI Reception taking place on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. EDT, at the Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park in Grand C Ballroom, North Tower-M4.
USNWR Voting Closes Wednesday
USNWR voting for Best Hospitals by specialty is still open in Doximity. If you are board-certified in the U.S. and have claimed your Doximity profile already, please log into your account by Wednesday, March 27 to complete the brief survey: submit your nominations.
New to Doximity? Find and register your profile to vote. Just go to Doximity’s login page, scroll to the bottom and click on “find your profile” – find yours and claim it/register. You can participate in the survey as long as you register on Doximity prior to the survey closing on March 27.
The survey allows you to list up to five hospitals as Best Hospital in the specialty in which you are board-certified. Your ballot counts even if you vote only for one hospital.
As with primaries and national elections, every vote is important!
Just 11 Days Remain to Support Frazier-Mills!
If you have not already done so, please join us in supporting electrophysiologist Camille Frazier-Mills, MD, one of the Triangle American Heart Association’s Women of Impact in her campaign to raise funds to support Go Red for Women.
Frazier-Mills is representing Duke Health as a Woman of Impact in the 2024 campaign and we want to help her reach her campaign goal. By donating, each of us can support her campaign and help ensure more women have equitable access to cardiovascular care and better representation in critically needed medical research.
** Check out Camille Frazier-Mills’ campaign page and please donate by April 4. **
Every year across the country, a select group of individuals are nominated to be a part of Woman of Impact because of their passion and drive to make a difference. This 9-week blind competition is relentlessly focused on women’s heart health. The campaign launched on National Wear Red Day (Feb. 2) and closes on April 4. During this time, the nominees work to build campaign plans, recruit Impact teams, and inspire their networks to support the American Heart Association’s lifesaving mission.
At the end of the campaign, this special group of changemakers will be celebrated for the overall impact they have on the AHA’s mission and the Triangle community. The nominee who makes the greatest impact and raises the most funds locally will be named a local 2024 Woman of Impact Winner.
Additionally, the nominee who makes the greatest impact nationwide will be named the American Heart Association 2024 National Woman of Impact Winner.
Let’s help her reach and exceed her goal – let’s help her WIN! Go, Camille!
Improving Conversation Skills with Seriously Ill Patients
Did You Know? Patients from Duke cardiology, hepatology and oncology are the most likely to end up in the hospital during their last month of life. These are the patients most in need of goals of care conversations, according to researchers from Duke in their recently published findings in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
To make sure that clinicians feel comfortable and empowered to have these difficult conversations with patients and their families, members of the Duke Hospice and Palliative Care team offer VitalTalk communication trainings so that they can help clinicians do their best to take care of our patients.
VitalTalk skills training is open to those involved in conducting or supporting Goals of Care conversations for our patients with serious illness across Duke Health. The course consists of a 30-minute didactic lecture in the LMS system, followed by a 3-4 hour skills practice-session. CME/CEU credits are available once both activities (LMS and live practice) are completed.
A limited number of seats are available in each of the upcoming online VitalTalk skills practice courses – use https://duke.is/VitalTalk to sign up for one of the following:
- March 19, 1 – 5 pm
- April 10, 8 am to 12 pm
- April 10, 1 – 5 pm
- April 12, 8 am to 12 pm
- April 12, 1 – 5 pm
- May 1, 8 am to 12 pm
- May 1, 1 – 5 pm
- May 16, 8 am to 12 pm
- May 16, 1 – 5 pm
- June 18, 8 am to 12 pm
- June 18, 1 – 5 pm
- June 21, 8 am to 12 pm
- June 21, 1 – 5 pm
Once registered, you will receive an Outlook calendar invite, Zoom details, and instructions for completing the required pre-work module in LMS.
Please keep in mind these trainings are limited to a small number of participants because they are extremely interactive. If you are interested in training but these dates do not work for you, please contact Jennifer Bowen to be added to a distribution list for future signups.
Once registered, if your plans change or you are unable to dedicate your full attention during the course, please let the team know ASAP so that you can be rescheduled and your seat offered to others on the waitlist.
If you have any questions, please contact Jonathan Fischer, MD, medical director of palliative care for Duke’s Population Health Management Office.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
- March 30 is National Doctor’s Day
- Happy Spring, everyone!
Cardiology Grand Rounds
March 26: New Direction for CABG: Women and Robots with Brittany Zwischenberger, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 or via Zoom.
April 2: SCERRI Stories: Mechanistic Insights Into Sepsis Induced Cardiovascular Dysfunction with Willard Applefeld, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2003 or via Zoom.
April 9: Heart Failure: Does Sex Really Matter? with Carolyn Lam, of Duke-NUS MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 or via Zoom.
All Duke Cardiology Grand Rounds recordings are housed on Warpwire. To access recordings please visit:
NET ID and password required. Enjoy!
CD Fellows Core Curriculum Conference
March 27: DHP Case Presentation with Aubrie Carroll. Noon, DMP 2W96 (in-person only).
March 29: Endocarditis with Andrew Wang. Noon, Zoom only.
Upcoming CME Symposia
April 12: Duke Sports Cardiology & Sudden Death in Athletes
May 4: Duke Heart Failure Symposium
For any questions you might have about either event, please reach out to Christy Darnell.
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. Submissions by Noon, Wednesdays, to be considered for weekend inclusion.
Duke Heart in the News:
March 13 — Christopher Granger
Inside Precision Medicine
March 18 — John Guyton (emeritus/endocrinology)
Medscape
Niacin and CV Risk: Should Advice on Intake Change?
March 18 — Padma Gulur (anesthesiology)
Daily Mail
March 18 — Ralph Snyderman (Chancellor Emeritus)
Medium
Must-Read Books on the Advancement of Healthcare
March 19 — Joseph Turek
Scientific American
Partial Heart Transplants Grow with Their Young Recipients
March 20 — Duke University Hospital (lung tx)
Newson6.com (Oklahoma)
A Breath of Hope: The Remarkable Journey of Oklahoma Triple Lung Transplant Survivor
March 20 — Mary Klotman
WFMY (Greensboro, NC)
First Lady Dr. Jill Biden makes stop in Durham to talk research in women’s health
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