Highlights of the week:
Dzau Awarded Order of the Rising Sun by Emperor of Japan
The government of Japan announced in April that Victor J. Dzau, MD, Chancellor Emeritus and James B. Duke Distinguished Professor of Medicine at Duke, and president of the National Academy of Medicine, has been awarded one of its highest honors — the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon — bestowed by the Emperor of Japan for his contributions to the promotion of academic exchange, global health and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.
The Order of the Rising Sun was founded in 1875 by Emperor Meiji and is bestowed on foreigners for significant contributions to Japan.
Dzau, a cardiologist and principal-investigator with the Duke Cardiovascular Research Center, has made a significant impact on medicine through his seminal research in cardiovascular medicine and genetics and his leadership in healthcare innovation. His work on the renin angiotensin system (RAS) paved the way for the contemporary understanding of RAS in cardiovascular disease and the development of RAS inhibitors as widely used lifesaving drugs. He also pioneered gene therapy for vascular disease, and his work on stem cell paracrine mechanisms and the use of microRNA in direct reprogramming has provided insight into stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Dzau has actively contributed to the G20 Health Task Force during his presidency at NAM, and has co-led the Japan-U.S. Global Health Dialogue, which brings together government officials, academics, and industry leaders from the fields of international health in Japan and the U.S. He is also a member of the prestigious Japan Academy, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science’s Program Committee of the Japan World Premier International Research Center Initiative. The initiative brings together global university presidents, Nobel laureates, industry experts, and other prominent leaders to steer Japan’s efforts to become a world-class research center.
“I am proud to contribute to efforts to advance excellence in Japan’s scientific and medical enterprise and help it build lasting connections with the global health community,” said Dzau. “I am honored to receive this recognition from the Japanese government and look forward to continuing this important work of mutual benefit to both Japan and the U.S.”
Other spring 2025 recipients of the award include the former Prime Minister of Singapore Lee Hsieh Loong, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, and U.S. Senator Bill Hagerty, former U.S. ambassador to Japan.
Congratulations, Dr. Dzau!
DCRI Fellowship Program Graduates Eight Researchers, Recognizes Excellence
On May 8, the Duke Clinical Research Institute hosted a celebration at the University Club in Durham to honor eight graduates of the DCRI Fellowship Program.
The event gathered fellows, mentors, leaders, and family members to recognize the accomplishments of the 2025 graduates of the fellowship program.
Sana Al-Khatib, the program director, along with associate directors Neha Pagidipati and Adam Goode, presented awards and shared personal congratulations with the fellows.
“To our remarkable fellows, you have consistently impressed us with your commitment to this program and your passion for advancing patient care,” Al-Khatib said. “We are immensely proud of all you have accomplished during your time with us and excited to see the impact you will continue to make in your careers.”
Rachel Greenberg received the Robert M. Califf Award for Outstanding Mentorship. This award recognizes a DCRI faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in mentorship activities for DCRI research fellows. Current DCRI fellows select the award through nominations, discussion, and voting.
Veraprapas “Mark” Kittipibul, 2024-2025 co-chief fellow, was presented with this year’s Robert A. Harrington Excellence in Fellowship Award, which recognizes a graduating DCRI research fellow who has contributed the most to the program during his or her tenure. It recognizes excellence in academic accomplishment, participation in clinical research operations, and peer-to-peer mentoring.
The Karen S. Pieper Teaching and Fellowship Support Award was awarded to Jenny Jackman in recognition of a non-faculty colleague at the DCRI who a consistent contributor to the education of fellows and a strong supporter of the fellowship program has been.
This year, two Eric D. Peterson Manuscript Awards were presented, one to Andrew Andreae and the other to Jeeyon “Grace” Rim. This honor is awarded to a graduating DCRI research fellow whose writing excellence is demonstrated in an impactful and novel article, as well as for their superior writing skills and potential impact on the field.
This year’s DCRI Fellowship Citizenship Award recipient is 2024-2025 co-chief fellow Annette Roberts. Awardees are graduating DCRI fellows chosen for their strong character and leadership, devoted service to the institution, acceptance of responsibilities and duties, and positive attitude towards peers, the DCRI, and the medical community. The recipients of this award are also recognized for demonstrating an eagerness to learn, showing care for others, and helping when needed.
Congratulations to this year’s awards recipients and the following 2025 graduating fellows:
Andrew Andreae, MD, specialty: cardiology, mentor: Jonathan Piccini
Benjamin Catanese, MD, specialty: nephrology, mentor: Daniel Edmonston
Pishoy Gouda, MB, BCH, BAO, MSC, specialty: cardiology, mentor: Schuyler Jones
Veraprapas “Mark” Kittipibul, MD, Co-Chief Fellow, specialty: cardiology, mentors: Robert Mentz, Marat Fudim
Nkiru “KiKi” Osude, MD, MS, specialty: cardiology, mentor: Neha Pagidipati
Jeeyon “Grace” Rim, MD, specialty: pulmonary/critical care, mentors: Jamie Todd, Scott Palmer
Annette Roberts, MD, MPH, Co-Chief Fellow, specialty: pediatrics/gastroenterology, mentors: Rachel Greenberg, Brian Smith
Manasi Tannu, MD, MPH, specialty: cardiology, mentor: Schuyler Jones
Heart Failure Symposium Held
Duke Heart held its annual Duke Heart Failure Symposium yesterday, June 7, 2025, at the Durham Convention Center. It was a resounding success – our largest so far with more than 255 registrants and 25+ industry sponsors. This year’s theme was Leading Edge in Medical Management.
We had broad representation from across NC and SC, making this a truly regional conference. We also had external speakers, including former Duke fellow Josephine Harrington, MD who joined us from Colorado, and Carlos Santos Gallegos who joined us from NYC.
A special shout out to Christy Darnell, who did a tremendous job both in planning and execution of the symposium, as well as Anthony Doll who ensured excellence with audio and visual presentations.
Congratulations to the entire Duke Heart Failure team – keep up the amazing work!
Cardiac MRI Reaccredited by IAC
Duke Heart’s Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging team has received renewed three-year Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) accreditation for demonstrating excellence and documenting quality care in the field of Cardiovascular MRI.
IAC accreditation is a means by which MRI facilities can evaluate and demonstrate the level of patient care they provide.
Congratulations to the entire cMRI team and thank you for your skill and dedication to ensuring this distinction of quality for all Duke Health patients!
Moore Reaches Career Milestone!
Congratulations to Annette Moore, Health Center Administrator for cardiology at Duke Health Center Arringdon who is celebrating 40 YEARS with Duke! This is an amazing achievement and a tremendously important career milestone. We are grateful for her support, commitment, and unwavering leadership throughout her time at Duke Health. She is a leader that people trust and follow, and she has truly left her mark on Duke Heart.
Annette, congrats on 40 years of making a difference to our patients and to your teammates, and for directly impacting so many people!
Teves Appointed NM, Operations 7100, Effective June 9
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Teves, BSN, RN, CCRN, as Nurse Manager of Operations for the Cardiology Stepdown Unit 7100 at Duke University Hospital, effective June 9th. We also acknowledge the significant contributions Ashley Frazier made to Duke Heart patients and staff during her service as the 7100 Nurse Manager. We wish her well with her future endeavors!
Melissa earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hawaii Pacific University in 2001. She began her nursing career in Hawaii as a GenMed/MICU nurse before joining Duke Health in March 2003. Her first role at Duke was in the Trauma/Surgical Stepdown Unit (formerly 2300, now 6DCT), and she soon transitioned to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (6W), where she served as an Assistant Nurse Manager.
While in the SICU, Melissa played a pivotal role in advancing safety, quality, and educational initiatives. Notably, she co-created and presented the SICU Core Classes and participated in a range of leadership activities both within her unit and across the broader nursing community. During this time, she also became a Clinical Ladder Advisor.
In January 2023, Melissa transitioned into hospital administration as an Operations Administrator. In this role, she continued to demonstrate her leadership through active participation in the Schedule, Standard Work, and Orientation Committee. She has also been a contributor to the Workplace Violence Committee and the Behavior Concern Flag Oversight Committee.
Melissa’s leadership extends beyond Duke. She is actively engaged in the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), serving in local and national roles. Most recently, she served as co-president of the Triangle Chapter and as a national Beacon Reviewer. She also completed a three-year term as Chapter Advisor (CAT) for Region 5, covering North and South Carolina. Through her work with AACN, Melissa has become an enthusiastic advocate for Healthy Work Environments and a commitment to wellness and excellence.
Please join us in congratulating Melissa on her new role!
Quote of the Week
“The Pacers have a really fast-paced game, but I think Jalen Brunson’s the real deal. My prediction is the Knicks in six.” — Sunil Rao, director of interventional cardiology, NYU Langone. (Quoted in The New Yorker article “Knicks in Six? Ask Fran Lebowitz, Alison Roman, and Spike Lee”)
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
DUHS Leadership & Campus Updates:
June is Pride Month
As we enter the month of June, we take the opportunity to recognize Pride Month and celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community – both within our organization and beyond.
At Duke Health, we are deeply committed to fostering an environment where every individual is safe, respected, and valued. We believe that delivering exceptional care, groundbreaking research, and top-notch education requires us to stand for values and actions that promote health for all communities.
Pride Month is not only a time of celebration, but also a time for reflection and continued commitment to lead with compassion, cultural humility, and a steadfast dedication to treating all people with dignity and respect.
We take pride in each other – this month and every month. Thank you for being part of a community that champions dignity, humanity, and respect for all.
Register Now for the 2025 Duke Health Juneteenth Celebration
Everyone is invited to attend the 2025 Duke Health Juneteenth Celebration on Tuesday, June 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. The hybrid event will take place in the Great Hall of the Trent Semans Center (registration is full) and virtually.
The guest speaker will be Christopher Wolfe, a West Point graduate and Bronze Star recipient. He served in the U.S. Army before earning an MBA from Duke. He later pursued an MFA at Columbia University, where he was selected as the inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the Eric H. Holder Jr. Initiative for Civil and Political Rights, teaching creative writing at Columbia and at Rikers Island through the university’s Justice-in-Education Initiative.
The Duke Children’s Health Center Turns 25!
The Duke Children’s Health Center (CHC) is celebrating 25 years since its doors first opened. To celebrate, CHC team members gathered for remarks from Clinical Operations Director, Kristen Ammon who spoke on the history of CHC and recognized team members who have been with the CHC from the beginning. Frozen treats followed and to ensure everyone could celebrate, Kristen Ammon, Heather Harrison, and Kristin Parker delivered treats and commemorative pens to each floor of the CHC.
Congratulations on this milestone, Duke CHC!
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
June is Men’s Health Awareness Month and Pride Month
June 9-15: Men’s Health Week
Cardiology Grand Rounds
June 10: Revascularization for Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Disproving the 45-year-old Concept of Hibernating Myocardium with Aman Kansal, MD. 5 p.m., Zoom only.
June 17: Updates from HRS 2025: What Does the Cardiology Community Need to Know? with Jonathan Piccini, 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 11: DHP with Mugdha Joshi. Noon, DMP 7E39.
June 13: Annual Duke Cardiovascular Disease fellowship 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 is coming soon.
- 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)
2025 Duke Health Juneteenth Celebration
Everyone is invited to attend the 2025 Duke Health Juneteenth Celebration on Tuesday, June 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. This in-person event will take place in the Great Hall of the Trent Semans Center. Team members can also attend virtually.
The guest speaker will be Christopher Wolfe, a West Point graduate and Bronze Star recipient. He served in the U.S. Army before earning an MBA from Duke. He later pursued an MFA at Columbia University, where he was selected as the inaugural Artist-in-Residence at the Eric H. Holder Jr. Initiative for Civil and Political Rights, teaching creative writing at Columbia and at Rikers Island through the university’s Justice-in-Education Initiative.
2025 Duke Caregiver Community Event – Register Now!
The annual Duke Caregiver Community Event provides education, support, and valuable resources for those who are navigating the complex journey of caring for others. Attend informative presentations from experts in caregiving and wellness and visit our exhibit hall to connect with representatives from more than 100 organizations to discover tools that can assist in every aspect of caregiving.
The event will be held on September 3 and 4 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham. You can attend one or both days. Learn more and register here.
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 31 — Dawn Coleman
Vascular Specialist
Taking the lead: The vascular surgeon in the pediatric vascular surgical space
June 2 — Duke University Hospital
Cardiovascular Business
The top 25 heart hospitals in the United States (#15)
June 2 — Susan Faye Dent (formerly DCI)
Pharmacy Times
June 3 — Mitch Krucoff
tctMD
Words of Wisdom for Early-Career Interventional Cardiologists
June 3 — Stephen Greene
HCP Live
Cardiology Month in Review: 2025
June 4 — Bradi Granger and Anna Tharakan (formerly with Bass Connections)
American Hospital Association Advancing Health Podcast
How Duke University Is Fighting Hypertension Through Community Collaboration
June 4 — Adrian Hernandez
Newsweek
Can Trump Tackle US ‘Chronic Disease Crisis’? Experts Weigh In
June 5 — Stephen Greene and Robert Califf
Healio/Endocrinology
What not to miss at the upcoming Heart in Diabetes meeting
June 6 — Joseph Turek
The Charlotte Observer
After mystery staph infection, heart surgery, Charlotte girl is back on her feet
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