Chief’s message:
As spring is fully upon us, hopefully many of you got to spend sometime outside with family and friends. We are getting ready for the official launch of Duke Health Campaign to help raise funds for our missions next week/weekend. We will have our Heart Center Leadership Council meeting friday and Health Campaign events for all the boards this Friday and Saturday. We are lucky to have Coach K join us Saturday morning for a conversation around Heart Care.
This weekend we had the joy of celebrating Mike Sketch’s 20 years as our interventional program director from 1999-2019. We had over 50 past faculty/fellows join us to share in stories and impact that Mike had on their lives. Congratulations Mike. We hope to continue the legacy and training program that has had such an impact on the field. Some pictures included here.
Highlights of the week:
Duke Heart Sponsors NC Walk for Victory, Held April 26
Duke Heart and the Duke Center for Aortic Disease were again the annual sponsors of the 2025 North Carolina Walk for Victory held yesterday, April 26 at Laurel Hills Park in Raleigh. The event has grown steadily over the years and continues to be a fun way to gather patients with Marfan Syndrome and related connective tissue disorders along with their friends and family members for camaraderie and celebration.
The event is also a way to raise valuable funds to support research into these disorders. More than 300 participants attended the NC event, which is planned by The Marfan Foundation and was led by Chad Hughes, MD, section chief for Aortic Surgery at Duke, who served as the medical director for the event. Melissa Burkett, APP Team Lead for the Aortic Center, was vital in helping champion the event again this year and helping keep the team on track with fundraising.
Overall, $97,000 was raised by volunteer teams and family members, exceeding their $90K goal and nearly doubling fundraising efforts from 2024 — Wow!!!
Great job!
Cardiac Ultrasound Students Named ASE Award Winners
We are pleased to announce that three of our current Cardiac Ultrasound Certificate Program students have been named award winners by the American Society of Echocardiography Foundation.
Avery Ongman and Madison Dowdy have each been named a 2025 Alan D. Waggoner Sonographer Student Scholarship Award winner. They will receive $1000 toward program tuition expenses, complimentary student registration and $1000 travel grant to attend the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) 2025 Scientific Sessions in Nashville, TN, which is scheduled for Sept. 5-7, 2025.
The Alan D. Waggoner Student Scholarship Award is given to sonography students enrolled in CAAHEP accredited educational programs who exhibit a passion for the discipline of echocardiography and demonstrate leadership abilities.
Keishawn Roye, an international student from the Bahamas, is one of two award winners of ASE’s distinguished Aaron S. White Grant; the award will enable him to attend the 2025 ASE Conference by covering registration, accommodation and transportation costs. Currently pursuing advanced studies in cardiac sonography, Roye demonstrates exceptional dedication to improving cardiovascular healthcare in the Bahamas. His commitment to excellence and his passion for advancing cardiac care aligns perfectly with the values championed by the Aaron S. White grant program, according to the award announcement.
This travel opportunity will allow Roye to engage with leading cardiology experts, access cutting-edge research, and develop valuable professional connections that will enhance his ability to serve patients in the future. His selection for this grant reflects both his academic merit and his vision for contributing to cardiovascular healthcare in his home country.
Please join us in congratulating Avery, Madison, and Keishawn on their achievements!
Camuglia Featured on DCRI Podcast
The Duke Heart Center Clinical Research Unit’s own Krista Camuglia was recently featured on the latest episode of DCRI’s “Beyond the Endpoint” podcast. In a conversation with co-host Dr. Manesh Patel, Krista’s shares valuable insights on why patients may choose to participate in clinical trials. Together, they address common misconceptions about the research process and highlight the extensive safety protocols that protect our participants. This episode builds on a previous conversation with a stage 4 ocular melanoma patient who shares her personal experience participating in research.
About the Podcast: “Beyond the Endpoint” is DCRI’s biweekly podcast that demystifies clinical research and healthcare through conversations with renowned clinicians and scientists. New episodes are released every other Wednesday and are available on major streaming platforms. View all episodes here.
Culture Pulse Survey, April 28-May 12
Please help us by taking a quick survey to help us understand the current culture here at Duke Health. The Culture Pulse Survey starts tomorrow and runs through May 12. Please participate – it’s quick, confidential, and will go a long way in helping leadership pave the way for an even stronger Health System. Watch for it in your inbox!
Perfusion Week is May 1-7
Perfusion Week starts Thursday – it’s a time to recognize the incredible efforts of perfusionists across the U.S., and especially the ones right here at Duke!
Our Perfusion team are two-time recipients of the Pillar Award for Perfusion Excellence given by the American Society of Extracorporeal Technology (AmSECT). Their first was awarded in 2021; the second in 2024. The AmSECT Pillar Award is a designation for individual perfusion departments that demonstrate excellence as displayed in several key areas including organized orientation and training, QA/QI process, continuing education and performance evaluation, development of institutional protocols and adherence to AmSECT Standards and Guidelines, employee education and commitment to the field of perfusion.
Did you know? Duke has one of the largest and most highly-skilled perfusion teams in the U.S.! Each member of the team is certified by the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion, licensed by the North Carolina Medical Board, and most team members hold advanced degrees and credentials.
In addition to proficiency in cardiopulmonary bypass (operating the heart-lung machine during cardiothoracic surgery), Duke perfusionists become further specialized to support a variety of needs across the hospital. We have a dedicated team of pediatric perfusionists, a specialty team for Duke Regional Hospital, an Extra-Corporeal Life Support (ECLS) team that assists with cannulating and retrieving patients from referring hospitals, a team that provides apheresis in the OR, and a team trained in use of the Transmedics Organ Care System.
Be sure to thank our perfusionists when you see them!
SOM Leadership Town Hall Recording Available
Thank you to everyone who attended Thursday’s School of Medicine Leadership Town Hall. For those who were unable to join the live event, the recording of the webinar is now available for viewing.
DUHS Leadership Update:
Barazsu Named President, COO for Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital
Greg Pauly, Group President, Duke University Health System, announced on Monday, April 21 that Kristie Barazsu has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer for Duke Health Lake Norman Hospital (DHLN), effective immediately.
Barazsu will be responsible for the overall management and operational performance of DHLN and will work collaboratively with DUHS leaders to develop and implement strategies that enhance patient care, improve operational efficiency, and support team members. She will also continue in her health system role in leading patient flow, supporting the integration of a shared system throughout our acute care locations.
Relf Named Dean, DUSON
Michael V. Relf has been appointed dean of the Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) effective May 1, Provost Alec D. Gallimore announced April 15.
Relf, the Mary T. Champagne Distinguished Professor of Nursing and a research professor in the Duke Global Health Institute, has served as interim dean since 2023. He will continue in his role as associate chief nurse executive for academic innovation and partnership for the Duke University Health System. He is a globally recognized expert on the psychosocial aspects of HIV, particularly focusing on intimate partner violence, HIV-related stigma and interventions to promote engagement in HIV-oriented primary medical care.
Relf succeeds Vincent Guilamo-Ramos, who stepped down in October 2023 to become executive director of the Institute for Policy Solutions at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.
Congratulations to both!
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
May 1-7: Perfusion Week
May 6: Nurses Day
May 6-12: National Nurses Week
May 12: International Nurses Day
Cardiology Grand Rounds
April 29: Application for Cardiac Computed Tomography: What a Cardiologist Needs to Know with Lonnie Sullivan. 5 p.m. Zoom only.
May 6: The Nuts and Bolts of Evidence-based Preventive Cardiometabolic Care with Darren McGuire. 5 p.m. DN 2002 or via Zoom.
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
April 30: EP with Jawan Abdulrahim and Aarti Thakkar. Noon, DMP 7E39.
May 2: EKG Review with Michelle Kelsey. Noon. Zoom only.
May 7: Intro to MRI with Han Kim. Noon. In-person. DMP 7E39
May 9: VAD Education and Emergency Response Update for Cardiology Fellows with Stephanie Barnes. Noon. Hybrid — Zoom and DMP 2W91
May 14: DHP with Tess Allan. Noon. In-person. DMP 7E39.
May 16: Pericardial Disease with Nishant Shah. Noon. Zoom only.
May 21: HF/Tx with Cosette Champion. Noon. In-person. DN 2001
May 23: EKG with Neil Freedman. Noon. Zoom only.
May 28: EP with Hannah Schwennesen and Jemi Galani. Noon, in person. DMP 7E39.
May 30: TBD
Upcoming Duke Heart CMEs
The following CME activities, sponsored by Duke Heart, have been scheduled. Registration coming soon; now open for June 7th symposia.
- June 7, 2025: Duke Heart Failure Symposium (live event at Durham Convention Center in Durham). Registration is required.
- October 4, 2025: Duke Cardiac Sonography Symposium (live event at Trent Semans Center)
- October 31, 2025: 17th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium (live event at Durham Convention Center)
CTSI Research Symposium to Focus on Strengthening Rural Health
May 8: Strengthening Rural Health: Research, Access to Care, and Community Collaboration. 12:30 to 2 p.m., Chesterfield Building, 701 W. Main St., Durham, NC.
Panelists will offer in-depth discussion about the importance of including rural communities in research, as well as strategies to overcome barriers to participation. Topics will include social drivers of mental health and the role of faith communities in addressing maternal mental health in rural communities.
To learn more and to register, please visit https://ctsi.duke.edu/news/ctsi-research-symposium-focus-strengthening-rural-health.
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:
April 18 — Sean Pokorney
Medical Dialogues
Nasal Etripamil Nearly Twice as Effective as Placebo in Halting PSVT Episodes, Trial Finds
April 23 — Robert Califf
CNN
Former FDA commissioner reacts to RFK Jr.’s plans to phase out artificial food dyes
April 24 — Craig Albanese
Modern Healthcare
Hospital competition heats up as capacity wanes
April 24 — Harry Severance
Becker’s Physician Leadership
Recent Comments