Duke Heart Pulse — January 26, 2025
Chief’s message: Coach K to give CV Grand Rounds February 25th in Heart Month:
We are excited to announce that Mike Krzyzewski (Coach K) will give cardiovascular grand rounds on February 25th from 5-6pm at Duke Hospital. Coach will give a talk on Leadership, Teamwork, and Healthcare. This will be an opportunity for our heart and vascular teams to interact and hear from Coach K on the importance of our teams with an opportunity for questions near the end of the talk. I have included a slide I use from some talks that highlights the commitment of long-standing learning. We appreciate Coach K for his willingness to join us and look forward to the grand rounds.
Highlights of the week:
Duke EP Hits Record
We learned this week that our Duke Electrophysiology team surpassed 1000 atrial fibrillation ablations in the calendar year 2024 (the exact number was 1069)!
“This is a huge milestone for our program,” says Jonathan Piccini, MD, Duke’s Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology. “It’s an incredible accomplishment from an incredible team of staff, nurses, clinicians, and patients!”
We could not agree more — congratulations to the entire EP team. Way to go!
61st STS Annual Meeting Held in Los Angeles
The 2025 annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons has been taking place this weekend, Jan. 24-26, in Los Angeles. We have several faculty and care providers serving as moderators and presenters, including:
Edward P. Chen, MD, served as a moderator for a session on Inherited Aortic Disease.
Lynn McGugan and Melissa Burkett invited speakers who co-presented a session called APP Continuity of Care in Aortic Surgery.
Thomas D’Amico, MD, presented A Need for Ethics Education: A Chair’s Perspective and moderated a session on Surgery for Stage IV Lung Cancer: Getting Surgeons in the Game for Advanced Disease.
Brittany Zwischenberger, MD, presented Quality Improvement Initiatives to Improve Outcomes in Women: Translating Scientific Findings into Clinical Practice and RECHARGE Hybrid: Revascularization of Underrepresented Groups with minimally-invasive CABG plus PCI – for which she earned a Thoracic Surgery Foundation Award for her research. She also moderated a session on Top Adult Cardiac Surgery Abstracts.
Kamrouz Ghadimi, MD, debated during a session on Inhaled Nitric Oxide vs. Prostacyclin – (arguing Pro Prostacyclin).
Matt Hartwig, MD, moderated a session called Modernized Solutions for Lung Failure, From Bench to Bedside.
Well done, all!
Vizient Webinar Held; Patel a Featured Presenter
On Thursday, Jan. 23, Manesh Patel, MD was the featured presenter for a Vizient Cardiovascular Service Line webinar. He presented on Interesting Science from the AHA 2024. The event, held virtually and recorded, is part of the Vizient Network Cardiovascular Service Line Committee series.
Jill Engel is in her second year serving as the Chair of the Vizient Cardiovascular Service Line Committee and says she has already heard great feedback from the network members on the presentation.
Thanks, Manesh, for representing Duke Heart & Vascular!
Candidates Sought for Zhu Lab, CVRC
Two positions are currently available in the laboratory of Dr. Ching Zhu, a newly recruited cardiac electrophysiologist and physician-scientist in the Duke Cardiovascular Research Center. Zhu’s team is seeking a postdoctoral associate and a research technician.
The Zhu Lab pursues interdisciplinary research centered on unraveling the mechanisms by which the sympathetic nervous system controls susceptibility to lethal cardiac arrhythmias. Postgraduate trainees or premedical students interested in dedicating 1-2 years to full-time basic/translational research are encouraged to apply.
More details on the positions and Dr. Zhu’s research can be found here: https://duke.is/5/uyut.
Tier 2 Visitor Restrictions
Respiratory illnesses throughout our community remain high. We remain in Tier 2 Visitor Restrictions.
Remember:
- Masking is strongly recommended throughout patient care areas and continues to be required in some areas.
- Masks should be worn properly. Cover your nose and mouth at all times, and do not wear masks around your chin, neck, or on your forehead.
- Duke Health staff members throughout hospitals, the schools of medicine and nursing, and all health care units must wear their Duke ID prominently on outer clothing between shoulder and waist with the photo side facing out.
- Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- A maximum of two visitors at a time are allowed per patient.
- Visitors must check in at the hospital information desk to receive a visitor badge to enter inpatient areas.
- All visitors must be age 12+. (Visitors in some clinical areas must be age 18+.)
- Minors are required to be attended by an adult age 18+ at all times.
- Visitors must check out upon departure at a kiosk or with information desk staff.
- Visitors with fever, cough, or other flu-like symptoms should not visit.
Please note: Additional visitation and masking precautions may apply to certain patient populations, including without limitation, COVID-19/Special Airborne Contact, oncology, end-of-life, and overnight visitors. Please follow all unit guidelines. Exceptions to visitation restrictions may be granted based on special circumstances, including without limitation, to permit Compassionate Care Visitors.
Thanks for all you do to keep our patients and team members safe!
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Save The Date! National Wear Red Day is Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
Cardiology Grand Rounds
Jan. 28: Whole Genome Sequencing for Gene Elusive Cardiovascular Disease with Dr. Sara Coles. 5 p.m., via Zoom.
Feb. 24: Transforming HFpEF Management in the Age of Precision Medicine with Dr. Sanjiv Shah of the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Medicine. 5 p.m. DN 2002 and via Zoom.
Feb. 25: Teamwork, Leadership, and Healthcare with Mike Krzyzewski. 5 p.m., in-person only (TBD).
If you missed any of our CGR’s from the past year, all Duke Cardiology Grand Rounds recordings are housed on Warpwire. To access recordings please visit:
NET ID and password are required. Enjoy!
CD Fellows Core Curriculum Conference
January 29: EP presentation with Joshua Sink. Noon, DMP 7E39.
January 31: PAD-Aorta with Jennifer Rymer. Noon, Zoom.
DCRI Research Forum to Feature Cook – Jan. 28
We hope you’ll join us for the next event in the DCRI Research Forum series, featuring Nakela L. Cook, MD, MPH, the Executive Director for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), who will join us for a fireside chat from Noon-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Cook will share insights from her career journey, discuss her vision and priorities for PCORI, and how the organization is fostering innovation in clinical research.
What: DCRI Research Forum: A Fireside Chat with Nakela L. Cook, MD, MPH, Executive Director for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
When: Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025
Where: Zoom
Giving Opportunity for Western NC Extended Through January 31
Please consider a contribution as part of the Duke Department of Medicine’s effort to support the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in Asheville, NC, for its 2024 Holiday Fundraiser.
So far, the effort has received 53 gifts for a fundraising total of $13,960. The need remains great, so additional gifts in any amount are welcome. Thanks to all who have already donated!
The donation website will remain open for the rest of January 2025 for anyone who may still want to contribute. To donate online, visit https://duke.is/9/g2gr or send a check payable to “MAHEC” to:
MAHEC Department of Philanthropy
121 Hendersonville Road Asheville, NC 28803
Memo: Duke
MAHEC has been a lifeline for Western North Carolina, delivering health care and training the next generation of providers who serve its rural and underserved communities. Some learners were forced to relocate to continue their education while visiting medical students scheduled to train in the area had to be turned away.
For some perspective on the needs there and to read about the effort please see the full story here.
Upcoming Duke Heart CMEs
Tues., Feb. 18: Remote Patient Care: A New Era in Cardiovascular Disease Management; 5:00-7:30 p.m., EST. Zoom. Free. Registration, now open, is required. Please visit this link for details and to register.
The following CME activities, sponsored by Duke Heart, have been scheduled. Registration is not yet open, but stay tuned for additional information.
- April 26, 2025: Duke Structural Heart Symposium (live event at Trent Semans Center in Durham)
- June 7, 2025: Duke Heart Failure Symposium (live event at Durham Convention Center in Durham)
- October 31, 2025: 17th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium (live event at Durham Convention Center)
The following event is planned for Fall 2025; the date has not yet been set:
- October: Duke Cardiac Imaging Symposium (live event, location TBD)
Women’s Health Symposium – Feb. 21, 2025
A women’s health symposium will be held on Feb. 21, 2025, in the Trent Semans Center’s Great Hall.
Organized by the Duke/NCCU BIRCWH Career Development Program, the Women’s Health Symposium “Scientific Meeting on All Aspects of Women’s Health and the Influence of Sex as a Biological Variable on Health Conditions” will be held on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at the Trent Semans Center Great Hall. The featured speakers are Sharonne Hayes, MD, a cardiologist and professor of cardiovascular medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Cynthia Kuhn, PhD, a professor of pharmacology and cancer biology at the Duke University School of Medicine.
Featured events include an interactive session on navigating the “bumps” along your research path and a poster session. For more details about the event, or to register and submit your poster topic click here.
Have news to share?
If you have news to share with the Pulse readership contact Tracey Koepke, director of communications for Duke Heart & Vascular 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 team. Please call with any questions: 919-681-2868. Feedback on Pulse is welcome and encouraged. Submissions by Noon on Wednesdays will be considered for weekend inclusion.
Duke Heart in the News:
January 17 — Jonathan Piccini
Medical Product Outsourcing
Medtronic Announces Primary Results from the DEFINE AFib Clinical Study of the LINQ Family
January 17 — Jonathan Piccini
Cardiovascular Business
Medtronic heart rhythm technologies on full display at AF Symposium 2025
January 21 — John Alexander
Street Insider
January 22 — Manesh Patel
SF Gate
Why ‘cough CPR’ is not the lifesaver it’s made out to be
*this story also appeared in the Houston Chronicle
January 23 — Duke Health
Becker’s Hospital Review
Top-ranked hospitals for stent placement, by state
January 23 — Audrey Blewer (Family Medicine & Comm Health)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
You’re unlikely to survive cardiac arrest. How Tarrant County wants to change that
Duke Heart Pulse — January 19, 2025
Chief’s message:
Hopefully you all have had a good weekend staying warm.
This week marks the long weekend celebrating the incredible life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. We are reminded this weekend of his statement “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Below in the pulse we have a list of some of the events celebrating his life and work, and continuing a legacy of serving our community. Our mission continues through our teams at Duke Heart that work to improve the health of all in our community.
This week the pulse below highlights some of the continued work we are doing to support the busy clinical services, innovate with education and new CME offerings on remote HF monitoring, and continue to lead in getting some of the discoveries for heart and vascular health in front of our patients.
We also had the start of some celebrations for Mike Sketch – a long standing pillar and faculty in the Duke Cardiology group – with over 30 years of leadership and service in our cath lab, clinics, and wards to our faculty, fellows, and patients. The Duke Heart Physicians group (DHP) had a celebration with Mike and Beth Sketch (see some of the photos below). We are aware that the cath lab faculty will also be have a celebration in the spring and we will share more as we thank Mike for the many years of clinical care, teaching, and dedication to our community. Congratulations Mike – on a life of impact at Duke Cardiology.
Highlights of the week:
Long Weekend
It’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend — Duke University & Health System events are listed below under Upcoming Events & Opportunities. We hope you will find a way to honor the legacy of Dr. King this weekend either by participating in one of these opportunities or by finding your own way to do so. Enjoy the weekend!
Shout-out to Duke North Echo Lab!
A big shout-out to the Duke University Hospital’s Echo Lab team. We heard they wrapped up Friday, Jan. 17 with what may be a record of 21 procedures completed in a single day. Way to go!
“What an incredible day! A special shout-out to our fellow, Dr. Tess Allan, who is the true champion of the day. Thank you, Anna Lisa Chamis, for recruiting such a fantastic fellow. I absolutely loved working with her and will do my best to drag her over to imaging next time!
I also want to extend my gratitude to our nursing staff – you were absolutely amazing, as always.
The anesthesia team was phenomenal, Dr. Alina Nicoara (thank you!), and the sonographers were outstanding.
Honestly, everyone involved played a crucial role in making today such a success. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication!
Have a great weekend.” — Fawaz Alenezi, MD, MSc, FAHA, FACC, FASE, Associate Professor of Medicine in Cardiology
A hat tip to all!
New AUC Published on ICD, CRT, and Pacing
The latest appropriate use criteria (AUC) regarding implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy, and pacing have been published. The new report was published online in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on January 9.
Our very own Jonathan Piccini, MD, electrophysiologist and professor of medicine in cardiology Jon Piccini, MD, served as a member of the writing group.
Congrats to Jon and all members of the writing team!
Coaxum Joins Duke Heart as New GME CCE Program Coordinator
We welcomed a new program coordinator in cardiology last month. Please join us in welcoming Robbi Coaxum as the new program coordinator for the Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology fellowship. In her new role, Robbi will also provide support to Brianna Small for the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship.
Originally from Columbia, SC, Robbi has only been here in Durham for about six weeks. She holds two Master’s degrees—one in Public Health and one in Health Education—as well as a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, gardening, and playing the piano and violin.
Please give her a warm welcome when you meet her. She’s excited to meet everyone and to be part of the team!
Feb. 18 CME Registration Now Open!
Please join us on Tuesday, Feb. 18 for Remote Patient Care: A New Era in Cardiovascular Disease Management. The CME activity will be held via Zoom from 5-7:30 p.m., EST. Course directors are cardiologist Dr. Marat Fudim of Duke and Dr. Theodore Feldman, cardiologist with Florida International University’s Wertheim College of Medicine and Baptist Health. The event is free. To learn more and to register, please visit https://duke.is/6/ne6b.
Save the Date: Coach K to Deliver Grand Rounds Feb. 25
Tuesday, Feb. 25; 5-6 p.m. — in person only. Location TBD.
Former Duke MBB Coach Mike Krzyzewski will present grand rounds discussing teamwork, leadership, and healthcare – with a question and answer period near the end. Details to come. We look forward to this special event and hope you can join us!
Post-Holiday Pics!
The Duke University Hospital CDU celebrated a very successful year with a post-holiday celebration!
“Our team enjoys spending time with each other in a non-work setting at this party every year. Thank you, especially, to our leadership (Dr. Sreek Vemulapali) for a wonderful night.” – Emily Schanze, cardiac sonographer, CDU & 2K
Great pics!
Candidates Sought for Zhu Lab, CVRC
Two positions are currently available in the laboratory of Dr. Ching Zhu, a newly recruited cardiac electrophysiologist and physician-scientist in the Duke Cardiovascular Research Center. Zhu’s team is seeking a postdoctoral associate and a research technician.
The Zhu Lab pursues interdisciplinary research centered on unraveling the mechanisms by which the sympathetic nervous system controls susceptibility to lethal cardiac arrhythmias. Postgraduate trainees or premedical students interested in dedicating 1-2 years to full-time basic/translational research are encouraged to apply.
More details on the positions and Dr. Zhu’s research can be found here: https://duke.is/5/uyut.
Tier 2 Visitor Restrictions
Respiratory illnesses throughout our community remains high. We remain in Tier 2 Visitor Restrictions.
Remember:
- Masking is strongly recommended throughout patient care areas, and continues to be required in some areas.
- Masks should be worn properly. Cover your nose and mouth at all times, do not wear masks around your chin, neck, or on your forehead.
- Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- A maximum of two visitors at a time are allowed per patient at a time.
- Visitors must check in at the hospital information desk to receive a visitor badge to enter inpatient areas.
- All visitors must be age 12+. (Visitors in some clinical areas must be age 18+.)
- Minors are required to be attended by an adult age 18+ at all times.
- Visitors must check out upon departure at a kiosk or with information desk staff.
- Visitors with fever, cough, or other flu-like systems should not visit.
Please note: Additional visitation and masking precautions may apply to certain patient populations, including without limitation, COVID-19/Special Airborne Contact, oncology, end-of-life, and overnight visitors. Please follow all unit guidelines. Exceptions to visitation restrictions may be granted based on special circumstances, including without limitation, to permit Compassionate Care Visitors.
Thanks for all you do to keep our patients and team members safe!
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Save The Date!
National Wear Red Day is Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
Cardiology Grand Rounds
Jan. 21 – Feb. 18: No CCR.
Feb. 24: Transforming HFpEF Management in the Age of Precision Medicine with Dr. Sanjiv Shah of the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern Medicine. 5 p.m. DN 2002 and via Zoom.
Feb. 25: Teamwork, Leadership, and Healthcare with Mike Krzyzewski. 5 p.m., in-person only (TBD).
If you missed any of our CGR’s from the past year, all Duke Cardiology Grand Rounds recordings are housed on Warpwire. To access recordings please visit:
NET ID and password are required. Enjoy!
CD Fellows Core Curriculum Conference
January 22: HF/TX presentation with Hubert Haywood. Noon, DMP 7W70
January 24: Right heart cath interpretation with Imran Aslam. Noon, Zoom.
January 29: EP presentation with Joshua Sink. Noon, DMP 7E39.
January 31: PAD-Aorta with Jennifer Rymer. Noon, Zoom.
MLK Celebrations
Jan. 19: Duke University MLK Commemoration Keynote Address, 3 p.m.
The Hon. Jerry Blackwell, a member of the prosecution team that won a murder conviction for the killing of George Floyd, will deliver the keynote talk at Duke University’s annual MLK Commemoration at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 in Duke Chapel. The theme of this year’s event, which is free and open to the public, is “Hope Powered by Community: Protecting King’s Dream through Determination and Unity.”
Read more at Duke Today. A livestream will be available.
Jan. 22: Duke Health MLK Commemoration & Humanitarian Award Ceremony, Noon-2 p.m.
Join us Wednesday, January 22 from 12 – 2 p.m. in the Trent Semans Great Hall as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
LeVelle Moton, a President’s Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient and men’s head basketball coach at North Carolina Central University, will give our keynote address. The event will also celebrate the recipients of the Duke MLK Humanitarian Award.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The deadline to register is Tuesday, January 14. Register here.
DCRI Research Forum to Feature Cook
We hope you’ll join us for the next event in the DCRI Research Forum series, featuring Nakela L. Cook, MD, MPH, the Executive Director for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), who will join us for a fireside chat from Noon-1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 28. Cook will share insights from her career journey, discuss her vision and priorities for PCORI, and how the organization is fostering innovation in clinical research.
What: DCRI Research Forum: A Fireside Chat with Nakela L. Cook, MD, MPH, Executive Director for the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
When: Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025
Where: Zoom
Giving Opportunity for Western NC Extended Through January 31
Please consider a contribution as part of the Duke Department of Medicine’s effort to support the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in Asheville, NC, for its 2024 Holiday Fundraiser.
So far, the effort has received 53 gifts for a fundraising total of $13,960. The need remains great, so additional gifts in any amount are welcome. Thanks to all who have already donated!
The donation website will remain open for the rest of January 2025 for anyone who may still want to contribute. To donate online, visit https://duke.is/9/g2gr or send a check payable to “MAHEC” to:
MAHEC Department of Philanthropy
121 Hendersonville Road Asheville, NC 28803
Memo: Duke
MAHEC has been a lifeline for Western North Carolina, delivering health care and training the next generation of providers who serve its rural and underserved communities. Some learners were forced to relocate to continue their education while visiting medical students scheduled to train in the area had to be turned away.
For some perspective on the needs there and to read about the effort please see the full story here.
2025 Upcoming Duke Heart CMEs
Tues., Feb. 18: Remote Patient Care: A New Era in Cardiovascular Disease Management; 5:00-7:30 p.m., EST. Zoom. Free. Registration, now open, is required. Please visit this link for details and to register.
The following CME activities, sponsored by Duke Heart, have been scheduled. Registration is not yet open, but stay tuned for additional information.
- April 26, 2025: Duke Structural Heart Symposium (live event at Trent Semans Center in Durham)
- June 7, 2025: Duke Heart Failure Symposium (live event at Durham Convention Center in Durham)
- October 31, 2025: 17th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium (live event at Durham Convention Center)
The following event is being planned for Fall 2025; date has not yet been set:
- October: Duke Cardiac Imaging Symposium (live event, location TBD)
Women’s Health Symposium – Feb. 21, 2025
A women’s health symposium will be held on Feb. 21, 2025 in the Trent Semans Center’s Great Hall.
Organized by the Duke/NCCU BIRCWH Career Development Program, the Women’s Health Symposium “Scientific Meeting on All Aspects of Women’s Health and the Influence of Sex as a Biological Variable on Health Conditions” will be held on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025 at the Trent Semans Center Great Hall. The featured speakers are Sharonne Hayes, MD, a cardiologist and professor of cardiovascular medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Cynthia Kuhn, PhD, a professor of pharmacology and cancer biology at the Duke University School of Medicine.
Featured events include an interactive session on navigating the “bumps” along your research path and a poster session. For more details about the event, or to register and submit your poster topic click here.
2025 Duke Safety & Quality Conference
The Duke Safety & Quality Conference will be held on April 17, 2025. The abstract deadline was extended until today, Sunday, January 12, by 5 p.m.
Click here to learn more and to review the submission criteria.
Have news to share?
If you have news to share with the Pulse readership contact Tracey Koepke, director of communications for Duke Heart & Vascular 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 team. Please call with any questions: 919-681-2868. Feedback on Pulse is welcome and encouraged. Submissions by Noon on Wednesdays will be considered for weekend inclusion.
Duke Heart in the News:
January 8 — Jonathan Piccini
tctMD
J&J Halts Varipulse Pulsed-Field Ablation Cases in the US
January 13 — Harry Severance
MSN/MedPage Today
Economic ‘Shrinkflation’ Strikes Healthcare
January 17 — Jonathan Piccini
Cardiac Rhythm News
Duke Heart Pulse — January 12, 2025
Highlights of the week:
Duke Heart Receives ACHA Reaccreditation
Congrats to our adult congenital heart team! They have achieved 5-year reaccreditation as an Adult Congenital Heart Disease Comprehensive Care Center by the Adult Congenital Heart Association.
We have an incredibly dedicated and hardworking adult congenital team, and accreditation underscores this for our patients and their families.
Way to go!
Tier 2 Visitor Restrictions
Due to the increase in respiratory illness throughout our communities and after consultation with Duke’s Infectious Disease and Infection Prevention experts, updated visitation restrictions were set in place on January 6, 2025.
- Masking is strongly recommended throughout patient care areas and continues to be required in some areas.
- Reminder, masks should be worn properly. Cover your nose and mouth at all times, and do not wear masks around your chin, neck, or on your forehead.
- Visiting hours are from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
- A maximum of two visitors at a time are allowed per patient.
- Visitors must check in at the hospital information desk to receive a visitor badge to enter inpatient areas.
- All visitors must be age 12+. (Visitors in some clinical areas must be age 18+.)
- Minors are required to be attended by an adult age 18+ at all times.
- Visitors must check out upon departure at a kiosk or with information desk staff.
- Visitors with fever, cough, or other flu-like symptoms should not visit.
Please note: Additional visitation and masking precautions may apply to certain patient populations, including without limitation, COVID-19/Special Airborne Contact, oncology, end-of-life, and overnight visitors. Please follow all unit guidelines. Exceptions to visitation restrictions may be granted based on special circumstances, including without limitation, to permit Compassionate Care Visitors.
Thanks for all you do to keep our patients and team members safe!
Shout-out to Araba Ofosu!

Duke Primary Care at Maria Parham extended a shout-out to Dr. Araba Ofosu (Cardiology):
While visiting the practice this week, the entire group praised the care coordination they have with Dr. Ofosu who was recruited in partnership with Duke Cardiology. They indicated their patients “love her”.
The above shout-out appeared in the Jan. 10 issue of The Maria Parham Minute, the internal newsletter for Maria Parham Health, part of Duke LifePoint Healthcare. It was shared with us by Schuyler Jones.
Great job, Araba!
Duke Heart Welcomes New Family Members!
We are thrilled to share that we have added new family members! Please join us in welcoming and celebrating the arrival of:
Cardiology fellow Joshua Rushakoff and his wife Samantha welcomed their son, Louis, on Dec. 18. Samantha and baby Louis are doing well, and their daughter Noa is enjoying getting to know her new brother. Welcome, Louis!




Cardiology fellow Manasi Tannu and her husband welcomed daughter Arya on Jan. 1. Manasi says, “She is a bundle of joy and has brought so much light to our lives.”
Congratulations to all and we look forward to meeting your cuties!
Candidates Sought for Zhu Lab, CVRC
Two positions are currently available in the laboratory of Dr. Ching Zhu, a newly recruited cardiac electrophysiologist and physician-scientist in the Duke Cardiovascular Research Center. Zhu’s team is seeking a postdoctoral associate and a research technician.
The Zhu Lab pursues interdisciplinary research centered on unraveling the mechanisms by which the sympathetic nervous system controls susceptibility to lethal cardiac arrhythmias. Postgraduate trainees or premedical students interested in dedicating 1-2 years to full-time basic/translational research are encouraged to apply.
More details on the positions and Dr. Zhu’s research can be found here: https://duke.is/5/uyut.
Post-Holiday Pics!
Our Cardiology APP Stepdown team wanted to help spread Holiday cheer on Christmas Day. The team dressed up in “Ugly” Christmas Sweaters and shared a potluck meal.
Shown here are members of our Christmas Day crew: Mike Towery, Troy Piorkowski, Sydney Ness, Henry Delgado-Avila, Tara Wilson, Allison Lindgren, Nicolena D’Sola, and Sasmrita Belbase.
And we have a few photos from Mike Sketch’s last day of clinic celebration in December. Shown here are Drs. Cary Ward, Mike Sketch, Sarah Snow, and Melissa Daubert.
In this shot, (Front, L-R) are Fran Reda, Ann Lin, Heather Wyatt, and Kiki Osude. Back row, Mike Sketch, Sarah Snow, and Melissa Daubert.
Great pics, everyone!
Giving Opportunity for Western NC Extended Through January 31
Please consider a contribution as part of the Duke Department of Medicine’s effort to support the Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) in Asheville, NC, for its 2024 Holiday Fundraiser.
So far, the effort has received 53 gifts for a fundraising total of $13,960. The need remains great, so additional gifts in any amount are welcome. Thanks to all who have already donated!
The donation website will remain open for the rest of January 2025 for anyone who may still want to contribute. To donate online, visit https://duke.is/9/g2gr or send a check payable to “MAHEC” to:
MAHEC Department of Philanthropy
121 Hendersonville Road Asheville, NC 28803
Memo: Duke
MAHEC has been a lifeline for Western North Carolina, delivering health care and training the next generation of providers who serve its rural and underserved communities. Some learners were forced to relocate to continue their education while visiting medical students scheduled to train in the area had to be turned away.
For some perspective on the needs there and to read about the effort please see the full story here.
Duke Health Leadership Announcement, Oncology
Duke University Hospital President and DUHS Group President Greg Pauly announced last week that, following a national search, Mara Bloom, JD, MS, has been appointed Vice President of Oncology Services for Duke University Health System.
“Mara is a transformational healthcare leader with nearly 30 years of experience in healthcare clinical operations, business development, strategic planning, and financial management,” Pauly said. “She has a proven track record of driving organizational alignment, interdisciplinary team building, and quality patient care.”
She will report to Pauly and will join the health system on February 4, 2025.
Mara will join us from Massachusetts General Hospital, where she most recently served as a Senior Vice President of the Cancer Center, Radiation Oncology, and Dermatology. In that role, she oversaw the entire cancer clinical and research enterprise, as well as the regional cancer network and international affairs.
In her new position, Mara will oversee the administrative aspects of oncology operations throughout the health system. She will work closely with Dr. Peter Allen, Vice President of Clinical Services, and Dr. Ted Alyea, Chief Medical Officer of the Duke Cancer Institute (DCI). She will also collaborate with Dr. Michael Kastan, Executive Director of the DCI, to advance strategic and operational success in clinical care, research, and education across the health system.
Pauly extended his appreciation to Jennifer Kennedy-Stovall for her outstanding leadership during the interim period. He noted that her dedication, commitment, and vision have been critical in maintaining our focus on our patients and ensuring that we continue to serve our community in the exceptional way that only Duke can.
Please join us in welcoming Mara to Duke Health!
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Cardiology Grand Rounds
Jan. 14: AHA Recap with Kristin Newby and Sana Al-Khatib. 5 p.m., via Zoom.
If you missed any of our CGR’s from the past calendar year, all Duke Cardiology Grand Rounds recordings are housed on Warpwire. CGRs for 2025 will be posted starting this week. To access recordings please visit:
NET ID and password are required. Enjoy!
MLK Celebrations
Jan. 19: Duke University MLK Commemoration Keynote Address, 3 p.m.
The Hon. Jerry Blackwell, a member of the prosecution team that won a murder conviction for the killing of George Floyd, will deliver the keynote talk at Duke University’s annual MLK Commemoration at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 19 in Duke Chapel. The theme of this year’s event, which is free and open to the public, is “Hope Powered by Community: Protecting King’s Dream through Determination and Unity.”
Read more at Duke Today. A livestream will be available.
Jan. 22: Duke Health MLK Commemoration & Humanitarian Award Ceremony, Noon-2 p.m.
Join us Wednesday, January 22 from 12 – 2 p.m. in the Trent Semans Great Hall as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
LeVelle Moton, a President’s Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient and men’s head basketball coach at North Carolina Central University, will give our keynote address. The event will also celebrate the recipients of the Duke MLK Humanitarian Award.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. The deadline to register is Tuesday, January 14. Register here.
Save The Date!
National Wear Red Day: Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
2025 Upcoming Duke Heart CMEs
The following CME activities, sponsored by Duke Heart, have been scheduled. Registration is not yet open, but stay tuned for additional information.
- February 18, 2025: Remote Patient Care: A New Era in Cardiovascular Disease Management; 5:00-7:30 pm Eastern on Zoom; will be free
- April 26, 2025: Duke Structural Heart Symposium (live event at Trent Semans Center in Durham)
- June 7, 2025: Duke Heart Failure Symposium (live event at Durham Convention Center in Durham)
- October 31, 2025: 17th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium (live event at Durham Convention Center)
The following event is being planned for Fall 2025; date has not yet been set:
- October: Duke Cardiac Imaging Symposium (live event, location TBD)
Final Reflect and Connect Session
The holiday season can be busy, stressful, and isolating for many. Duke Personal Assistance Service (PAS) is hosting three “Reflection and Connection” sessions that will use storytelling as a means of reducing stress and creating a stronger sense of connection with yourself and others.
The sessions will be held remotely via Zoom. Participants will be guided through practices of a mini-mental makeover and expressive writing to reflect and nurture empathy and a sense of meaning in response to stress – whether personal, professional, or related to current events or the stress and pressures (and joys) of the holiday season.
Writing exercises are for the sole use and benefit of participants, who are not required to share anything they write. Registration is required. You can attend any/all of the sessions offered.
Remaining date:
- Tuesday, January 14, from 4–5 p.m.
Women’s Health Symposium – Feb. 21, 2025
A women’s health symposium will be held on Feb. 21, 2025, in the Trent Semans Center’s Great Hall.
Organized by the Duke/NCCU BIRCWH Career Development Program, the Women’s Health Symposium “Scientific Meeting on All Aspects of Women’s Health and the Influence of Sex as a Biological Variable on Health Conditions” will be held on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025, at the Trent Semans Center Great Hall. The featured speakers are Sharonne Hayes, MD, a cardiologist and professor of cardiovascular medicine at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and Cynthia Kuhn, PhD, a professor of pharmacology and cancer biology at the Duke University School of Medicine.
Featured events include an interactive session on navigating the “bumps” along your research path and a poster session. For more details about the event, or to register and submit your poster topic click here.
2025 Duke Safety & Quality Conference
The Duke Safety & Quality Conference will be held on April 17, 2025. The abstract deadline was extended until today, Sunday, January 12, by 5 p.m.
Click here to learn more and to review the submission criteria.
Have news to share?
If you have news to share with the Pulse readership contact Tracey Koepke, director of communications for Duke Heart & Vascular 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 interest our team. Please call with any questions: 919-681-2868. Feedback on Pulse is welcome and encouraged. Submissions by Noon on Wednesdays will be considered for weekend inclusion.
Duke Heart in the News:
December 18 — Leanna Ross
Peloton-The Output
This Is How Long It Takes to Lose Muscle Gains During a Fitness Break
December 25 — Duke University Hospital
The Daily Galaxy
From Sci-Fi to Reality: World’s First ‘Titanium Heart’ Transplant Saved a Man’s Life
December 26 — Manesh Patel and Jonathan Piccini
Medscape (Portugal)
Qual o futuro dos inibidores do fator XI na fibrilação atrial?
December 26 — Stephen Greene
HCP Live
HCPLive Year in Review: Top Podcasts & Shows for 2024
December 26 — Harry Severance
Becker’s Physician Leadership
An emerging fear among physicians
December 31 — Harry Severance
Becker’s ASC Review
2024: The year of the physician union
January 3 — Alexandra Thomas (oncology)
Everyday Health
Heart Disease Is Tied to an Increased Risk of Advanced Breast Cancer
January 6 — Schuyler Jones
Med Central
The Cardiac Care Crisis in Our Midst
January 6 — Nishant Shah
WRAL.com
Cardiologists warn: Cold weather in the Triangle increases heart attack risks
January 6 — Nishant Shah
WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)
Cardiac concerns after cold weather, respiratory illnesses
January 7 — Nishant Shah
WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)
Heart attack risk during cold weather exertion
January 7 — Nishant Shah
News Minimalist
Cardiologists in North Carolina warn cold weather raises heart attack risks
January 7 — Nishant Shah
WILM-TV (Wilmington, NC)
Paying attention to cardiac concerns during cold weather
January 8 — Harry Severance
Medpage Today
Opinion: Economic ‘Shrinkflation’ Strikes Healthcare
January 9 — Nishant Shah
Everyday Health
Drinking Coffee Only in the Morning May Offer the Most Heart-Health Benefits
January 9 — Duke Health (#11)
Medpage Today
These Are the Largest Academic Medical Centers in the U.S.
Duke Heart Pulse: January 5th 2025
Chief’s Message:
Hopefully you all had some time over the holidays to get some time to reflect, relax, and come back rejuvenated to help us with our mission of improving the cardiovascular health of our community and country in 2025. Thanks to all of you that helped care for our patients and deal with unexpected challenges that our system faced with the brief ED closure.
Over the first few weeks of 2025 – we will spend a little time just highlighting a number of the amazing accomplishments and people we have in Duke Heart. Today we will highlight some of the people and awards over the last year. This is not an exhaustive list but one we thought would represent the accomplishments of so many. In the upcoming weeks we will highlight key research work with publications/findings and ongoing studies. Thank you all for the support and we look forward to continuing our work in 2025!
2024 Comes to a Close and 2025 Begins
2024 Began with a kick-off celebration of the Centennial for Duke University. The event included Duke Health faculty members Dr. Joseph Turek and Dr. Louise Markert who appeared as part of a special segment featuring the story of Easton Sinnamon, the now 3-year-old boy who received the world’s first combination heart transplant-thymus procedure here at Duke in 2021.
In January, we learned that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has invested nearly $13 million toward a new collaboration with researchers at Duke, Columbia, and Stanford Universities to expand the understanding of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR), vital proteins that have been linked to more than 100 human diseases and disorders. The GPCR Collaborative is led by Scott Blanchard, PhD, and M. Madan Babu, PhD, of St. Jude’s. The two are partnering with Jonathan Javitch, MD, PhD, of Columbia University; Georgios Skiniotis, PhD, and Alice Ting, PhD, of Stanford University, and Robert J. Lefkowitz, MD, of Duke University School of Medicine and Duke Cardiovascular Research Center.
We had a number of faculty take on new roles and appointments in 2024, including:
Jacob N. Schroder, MD, was named Surgical Director for Advanced Heart Failure of Duke Health’s Heart and Vascular Service line and the Duke Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery.
Jeffrey Gaca, MD, was appointed section chief for Adult Cardiac Surgery
Camille Frazier-Mills, MD was named Vice Chief for Clinical Services for Cardiology. Camille Frazier-Mills did an amazing job representing Duke Health as our Triangle Women of Impact nominee for 2024
Schuyler Jones, MD, director of Cardiac Catheterization Laboratories at Duke was named the Endowed Kent and Siri Rawson Director for Advanced Coronary Artery Disease in Duke Heart Center. Separately, he was also named director of our Invasive labs across Duke University Health System.
Chad Hughes, MD, Professor of Surgery, was appointed the inaugural Chief for the Section of Aortic Surgery, a new section housed jointly within the Divisions of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Vascular and Endovascular Surgery. Hughes will also serve as co-director, with vascular surgeon Chandler Long, MD, of the Duke Center for Aortic Disease.
Svati Shah, MD, MS, MHS, was named Vice Chief for Research in the Division of Cardiology. She currently also serves as the Associate Dean for Translational Research and Director of the Precision Genomics Collaboratory and Center for Precision Health. She was also named associate dean for translational research for Duke School of Medicine/
Anita Kelsey, MD was named Vice Chief for Faculty Affairs and Operations in Cardiology.
Jeffrey Keenan, MD, assistant professor of surgery at Duke, was named Surgical Director, Mechanical Circulatory Support.
Deepak Voora, MD, was appointed Executive Director for the Veterans Affairs National Pharmacogenomics Program.
Awards & Recognition
Thomas Bashore, MD, professor of medicine in cardiology, received the Triangle Business Journal’s 2024 Health Care Leadership Lifetime Achievement Award.
Adam Williams, MD received the Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) Every Heartbeat Matters Award for medical outreach in Honduras via our Duke Heart for Honduras program.
Senthil Selvaraj, MD was been selected as a recipient of an American Society for Clinical Investigation (ASCI) 2024 Young Physician-Scientist Award (YPSA).
Kevin Cox was named to the 2024 Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina.
Duke cardiologist and rehabilitation specialist, William Kraus, MD, was selected as an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Citation Award winner for 2024. The prestigious Citation Award recognizes distinguished individuals who have made significant contributions to sports medicine and/or to the exercise sciences.
Perfusionist Scott Snider Received the 2024 AmSECT Award of Excellence
Kevin Thomas, MD, professor of medicine in cardiology and vice dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Duke School of Medicine, was selected by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) to receive it’s 2024 James H. Youngblood Excellence in Leadership Award.
Pamela Douglas, MD, was one of four Department of Medicine faculty members to receive the 2024 Department of Medicine Career Achievement Award recognizing their extraordinary impact on one of the department’s three core missions: education, research, and clinical medicine.
Zak Loring, MD was awarded an AHA VISN 6 Career Development Award
Dennis Narcisse, MD, was selected for 2024 ACC Career Development Award
Duke’s Heart team received the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s (SCCM) “Family-Centered Care Innovation Award” for Duke University Hospital.
The Duke Perfusion team recently earned its second Pillar Award for Perfusion Excellence from the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AmSECT).
Duke’s Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Specialist Team achieved – for the very first time — 100 percent ELSO Adult ECMO Practitioner Certification (E-AEC) for our experienced ECMO Specialists.
We earned a Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award for the fifth year in a row. Duke is one of only 22 mitral repair centers recognized by the Mitral Foundation as having the volume and outcomes needed to qualify for the honor.
The American Heart Association’s (AHA) Council on Quality of Care and Outcomes Research (QCOR) Council presented Adrian Hernandez, MD, with their Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award during the AHA Scientific Sessions in November.
National Professional Society Leadership:
Below is a list of the national organizations in which our faculty serve on the national board or executive role
- American Association of Heart Failure Nurses: Steph Barnes – Board Director
- Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) 2024-2025: Mike Felker as President
- Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention (SCAI) – Board Trustee: Raj Swaminathan
- Heart Rhythm Society (HRS): Board Trustee: Jon Piccini, Program Chair for Sessions: Sana Al Khatib
- American Heart Association (AHA): National Board: Svati Shah, Manesh Patel
- American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS): National board: Thomas A. D’Amico
School of Medicine Faculty awards:
The cardiovascular team was blessed to have several members recognized at the School of Medicine Faculty Awards for 2024.
- Adrian Hernandez, MD, professor of medicine in cardiology received an Excellence in Professionalism Award
- Christopher Holley, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine in cardiology received a Research Mentoring Award
- Anita Kelsey, MD, MBA, professor of medicine in cardiology received the Master Clinician/Teacher Award
- Neha Pagidipati, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine in cardiology received a Research Mentoring Award
- Madhav Swaminathan, MBBS, professor of anesthesiology, cardiothoracic anesthesiology/ critical care, received the Master Clinician/Teacher Award
- Annemarie Thompson, MD, professor of anesthesiology, pediatric cardiothoracic anesthesiology, received a Leonard Palumbo Jr., MD Faculty Achievement Award
Firsts & milestones
1st Barostim Device was implanted in January. Barostim is an implantable device now being used in heart failure patients with reduced ejection fraction.
In February we celebrated our record 161 heart transplants completed in 2023 and the 2000 Heart transplant milestone. Later that month, we implanted our 1500th Durable VAD.
In March, Duke became the first enroller for the Pulmonary Artery DenerVation Clinical Study Using the Gradient Denervation System in Heart Failure Patients with Pulmonary Hypertension Group 2 (PreVail-PH2 Study), an early feasibility, device study enrolling heart failure patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH).
Last summer, the Duke heart transplant team helped pioneer a new generation of Total Artificial Heart — A young Graham, NC, father became the second person in the world to receive a BiVACOR Total Artificial Heart (TAH) as a bridge to transplant, living with the device for 10 days before undergoing a heart transplant at Duke University Hospital.
Our first TriClip procedures were performed at DUH in September. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system in April. The TriClip TEER procedure, performed in the cath lab, offers a minimally invasive approach designed to repair severe tricuspid regurgitation, or a leaky tricuspid valve, in patients with severe symptoms.
Forsyth County, NC became the first county in the state to sign on for a partnership with Duke for feasibility testing of AED drone delivery to cardiac arrest bystanders.
Philanthropic Success!
1.5M legacy gift from an anonymous family to support Duke Heart Transplant patients, and a gift from HCLC member Bob Keegan, who kicked off fundraising for the Duke Heart Precision and Innovation Collaboratory with a gift of $1.5 million toward the $10 million fundraising goal.
Additionally, NC Walk for Victory and AHA Triangle Heart Walk were both big successess and we look forward to supporting both events again this year
The cardiology fellows named Paula Rambarat, MD as chief cardiology fellow for 2024-2025.
We welcomed new family members: Rocky Matthew Davis, Patrick Tulp, Beck Allen Kusner, and Aspen Andreae.
We also mourned the passing of Aslan Turer, MD; Richard Everely “Rip” Waters, II, MD; Kristine Arges, RN; and HCLC member Scott Braswell.
And we wished Drs. Tom Bashore, Mike Sketch, Harry Phillips, and long-time team member Corey Miller all the best as they embarked on retirement.
We matched an incredible team of cardiology fellows for our incoming class of 2025!
Here’s to additional success and celebrations in the coming year!
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