Chief’s message: End of Year events and looking back to see the future
Hopefully you all are having a wonderful weekend. This month marks the end of the school year and full spring in North Carolina. We will have our end of year fellow events and see our graduates off into the world of cardiovascular medicine – charged with the skills, will, and drive to improve cardiovascular health in our communities and those they practice in around the world. We will highlight those events in the upcoming weeks. There were also high school and college graduations in the last weeks. For those of you with graduates – congratulations – the time, love and energy to get to these moments is amazing and worth celebrating.
Finally, we are also rely on our own past, culture, and work to see how we can move forward to continue to improve and change science and health. Perhaps no one has been as much a part of that culture in Duke Cardiology and Duke Heart as Rob Califf, for whom there was a celebration this weekend. We will share more photos as they become available – but Rob was remembered by colleagues near and far (including collaborators, trainees, and many of our own cardiovascular team members) that came to the Granger’s Farm to celebrate Rob. 
The evening was filled with funny stories, memories, and most of all a testament to the culture and commitment to science, truth, data, and patient care that Rob Califf has instilled over 40 years at Duke. Whatever the challenges we face to improve the lives of people with 
cardiovascular disease, we are blessed by the people, teams and culture of discovery and excellence in care over the years.
Congratulations to Rob and we look forward to his continued leadership and direction on our journey of continual improvement in CV health.
Highlights of the week:
Adult Cardiac STS Results Through December 2024
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has released analyzed results for Harvest 1 2025, which include the three-year period from January 2022 through December 2024. The data are from the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) and announced by STS as part of their public reporting initiative.
Duke received 3-star (Better than Expected) ratings for isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures, isolated aortic valve replacement (AVR) surgery, and isolated mitral valve replacement or repair (MVRR) surgery; and 2-star (As Expected) ratings for AVR+CABG and MVRR+CABG.
A new Multiprocedural Overall rating has been added to the latest analysis by STS, and we are pleased to announce Duke received a 3-star rating in that category. The Multiprocedural cases include CABG, AVR, AVR+CABG, MVRR, MVRR+CABG, AVR+MVRR, and AVR+MVRR+CABG.
The STS star rating system is one of the most sophisticated and highly regarded overall measures of quality in health care, rating the benchmarked outcomes of cardiothoracic surgery programs in the U.S. Star ratings are calculated using a combination of quality measures for specific procedures performed by an STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database (ACSD) participant.
Great job, everyone!
Mobile Cath Lab Opens at Duke Raleigh
The Duke Raleigh Hospital’s cardiac catheterization team has opened a temporary mobile cath lab space while their Cath Lab Room 1 is being upgraded. The mobile unit was placed in April and several weeks were spent securing and equipping the space for approval by the NC Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR).
The team shut down Cath Room 1 on May 22 and moved into the new mobile space. Their first cath patient was in the mobile unit the next day.
Construction to Room 1 is expected to last about six months. The newly upgraded space should be operational in November.
Julie Yamadi, director of Heart and Procedural Services for Duke Raleigh expressed, “special thanks to Kyarra Rogers from hospital operations; the Facility, Planning, Design and Construction team; Materials Management — especially Kevin Lawson, the supply chain team lead; to J.P., our cath lab nurse manager and to the entire cath team, and Dr. James Mills, who is supportive of everything we do.”
Great progress, Raleigh team!
McDermott Named VAD Team Lead, Effective July 1
We are excited to share that Jaime McDermott, DNP, will become the Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Team Leader starting July 1. Jaime has been with our VAD team since 2024 and previously was a valuable member of the Cardiology Advanced Practice Provider team at Duke University Hospital.
Jaime is well respected by her peers and colleagues. Her passion for supporting teams and the patient experience, coupled with her past involvement in VAD program development and quality and process improvement, make her a wonderful choice for this role.
Congratulations, Jaime!
Leadership Changes within Cardiology APP Team, Effective July 1
Allison Lindgren, PA-C, will be stepping down from her role as Co-Team Leader of the Cardiology APP team at the end of June. While her leadership in this capacity will be missed, we are pleased that she will continue to be with the APP team as a provider.
“I want to take a moment to sincerely thank Allison for her dedication, hard work, and the thoughtful leadership she brought to her role,” said Diane Sauro, director, Advanced Practice for Duke Heart. “Her contributions have made a lasting impact, and her commitment to excellence has helped shape the strong, collaborative team we are today. Please join me in expressing our heartfelt appreciation to Allison for all she has done, and in looking forward to the continued opportunity to work alongside her.”
Nicolena D’Sola, APRN, NP-C, will step into the role of Co-Team Leader for the Cardiology APP team on July 1. She will join the current Co-Team Leader Faith Williams. Nicolena has been a dedicated provider on the Cardiology APP team for the past four years.
“Throughout her time with us, she has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to our patients and a genuine passion for supporting her colleagues,” Sauro said. “Her calm composure, thoughtful approach, and ability to foster positive relationships have made her a trusted and respected member of our team. Nicolena is a passionate advocate for our team’s well-being and success, and we are confident that her leadership will bring continued strength and unity to our group.
Congratulations, Nicolena and thank you, Allison!
Shout-out to Champion!
We received a wonderful compliment this week about cardiology fellow Cosette Champion, MD.
“I just wanted to put in a shout-out to what an incredible doctor Cosette is. I have been on echo with her for several days over the past few weeks and she always goes above and beyond for patient care (including escorting a chest wall patient to the bathroom; going to check on a gen med patient with endocarditis to make sure they were well enough for the floor; always knowing patient histories thoroughly). A truly empathetic and caring doctor!” — Svati Shah, MD, MHS
Way to go, Cosette!
Boyd Named to Chron15 List
Congratulations to Thoracic Surgery resident Rebekah Boyd, MD! She was named this week to the 2024-2025 Chron15: Duke’s icons, leaders, pioneers list by the Duke Chronicle. At the end of each academic year, The Chronicle names five icons, five leaders and five pioneers. Boyd made the ‘Icons’ list along with Cooper Flagg, Manny Diaz, Ed Sheeran, and Luis Alonso Juárez.
Nominated by Chronicle readers and selected by a committee of Chronicle staff, this year’s Chron15 members are both individuals and groups who have built community and rallied around a cause. The article states, “They’re people who have dedicated themselves to making the Duke community a more welcoming place to be. They are people who have inspired us all, and they are people who make Duke, Duke.”
Read all about it here. Congratulations, Rebekah!
Tannu Presented CGR on May 27
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Tuesday evening last week for Cardiology Grand Rounds. If you missed this CGR, Manasi Tannu’s presentation, Post MI Inflammation and Trials of Emerging Therapies, can be found in Warpwire: https://warpwire.duke.edu/w/I-AIAA/
This Week: CGR Presenter will be Andrew Andreae, MD
Please join us on Tuesday, June 3 at 5 p.m. for Cardiology Grand Rounds with Andrew Andreae, MD. He will present Leadless Pacemakers: Are We Ready to Cut the Cord? The location will be DN 2002, or you can join via Zoom. See your calendar invitation for the link.
Save the Dates: Upcoming SOM Events
Two notable events for Duke School of Medicine are scheduled for this month. Please save the dates and consider attending.
June 10: School of Medicine Leadership Town Hall: Financial and Operational Strategy Updates. 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. via Zoom.
June 26: School of Medicine State of the School Address. 12 p.m. — 12:45 p.m.; Great Hall, Trent Semans Center for Health Education. More information
Submissions for Pulse, June 16-July 11
Please send any news content for Pulse directly to Manesh Patel from June 16 – July 11. Our communications director will be on leave during this time. Thank you!
DUHS Leadership & Campus Updates:
Thomas Appointed Chief FEOO
Robin Thomas has been appointed Chief Facilities, Engineering & Operations Officer, Medical Center & Duke Health, effective immediately. The news was announced on Thursday by Tom Owens, MD, executive vice president and chief operating officer of DUHS, and Scott Gibson, executive dean for administration of the Duke SOM.
Many of you have had the opportunity to work with Robin over the past several years in her role as Executive Director of Engineering & Operations for Duke Health. In that time, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership, integrity, and a deep commitment to our teams and facilities. Her ability to drive meaningful transformation while building strong, collaborative relationships has positioned her as a trusted and respected partner across our health system.
In her new role, Robin will provide strategic and operating leadership for the Engineering & Operations (E&O), Facility, Planning, Design & Construction (FPDC), and Occupational & Environmental Safety Office (OESO) teams who support our Duke Health facilities, including Duke University Health System hospitals and clinics, and the Duke University Schools of Medicine and Nursing.
Robin is a certified general contractor, has a PMP certificate, LEED AP BD+C, EIT Certification, and has completed Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training. She will work closely with leaders across DUHS, SOM, SON, and Duke University to support our long-term strategic priorities and ensure our physical environment continues to serve as a strong foundation for discovery, healing, and learning.
Congratulations, Robin!
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
June is Men’s Health Awareness Month
June 9-15: Men’s Health Week
Cardiology Grand Rounds
June 3: Leadless Pacemakers: Are We Ready to Cut the Cord with Andrew Andreae, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 and 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
June 4: HF/Tx with Aubrie Carroll. Noon, DMP 7E39.
June 6: EP Case Presentation with Hannah Schwennesen and Jemi Galani. Noon, Zoom.
June 11: DHP with Mugdha Joshi. Noon, DMP 7E39.
June 13: Program Review with Anna Lisa Chamis. Noon, Zoom.
June 18: Board Review with Paula Rambarat and Nishant Shah. Noon, Hybrid: DMP 7E39 and Zoom.
June 20: No conference
June 25: TBD.
June 27: Returning Fellows Orientation with Anna Lisa Chamis. Noon, Zoom.
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)
Duke School of Medicine Events
Leadership Town Hall: Financial and Operational Strategy Updates
Tuesday, June 10, 12 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. via Zoom.
State of the School Address
Thursday, June 26, 12 p.m. — 12:45 p.m.; Great Hall, Trent Semans Center for Health Education
Have news to share?
If you have news to share with the Pulse readership, please 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:
May 25 — Duke University Hospital
The Signal (Santa Clarita Valley, CA)
Ventura family in SCV awaits life-saving transplant for newborn
May 28 — Robert Califf
Spectrum News Central NC
Changes on COVID vaccine recommendations – how do agencies interact on health policy?
May 28 — Adjoa Boateng Evans (Anesthesiology)
Woman’s World
Broken Heart Syndrome Symptoms Can Mimic a Heart Attack—What You Need to Know to Stay Safe
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