Highlights of the week:
Albanese Leaving Duke Health
The University announced this week that Craig Albanese, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of Duke University Health System, will be departing Duke on Sept. 30. Albanese will serve as President of Kaiser Permanente, the largest integrated non-profit healthcare delivery system in the United States, headquartered in Oakland, California, effective October 1.
In an announcement to the Duke Health team, Albanese shared the following:
“This was an unexpected, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that came my way — one that I feel called to pursue at this point in my professional journey. Personally, it will bring my wife and me closer to our daughters and their growing families, a first time for our family to be united since they left for college.
It has been an incredible honor to serve alongside you. I will remember not just what we accomplished together, but how we did it—with respect, compassion, and a deep commitment to belonging. You’ve led with extraordinary courage through challenges, supported one another with kindness, and cared for those who come to us for hope, health, and healing with unwavering dedication. Every day, you’ve inspired me with your belief in Duke, in our patients and in each other. I hope you felt that I have, and always will, believe in you and in Duke’s extraordinary missions.
Please know that my admiration and gratitude for this organization and its people are endless. As President Price shared, he and the Board of Directors will guide the transition ahead. I have every confidence in the strength, resilience and talent of this team to continue advancing the important work we have started together. Leadership transitions can be both exciting and unsettling. There will always be unknowns. What I know with certainty, however, is that by focusing on Duke Health’s four critical missions – and living our values and cultural commitments of putting people first, adapting to improve, and being clear to empower – Duke will continue to provide hope, health and healing to one another, our patients and our communities.
While I am moving on to a new chapter, I will always carry Duke and all of you with me. The impact you’ve had on my life is immeasurable, and I will remain one of your biggest champions—forever proud to have been part of this extraordinary community.
Thank you for your trust, your support, and most of all, the privilege of serving alongside you.”
Albanese also shared a video announcement that can be viewed here: https://duke.is/c/aktw
Preparations will commence immediately for a national search for his successor, with details to be announced soon. An interim management structure for DUHS will be implemented until a new CEO is named. During this interim period, Tom Owens, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer (EVP/COO) of DUHS, will report to Vincent E. Price, Duke University President. Price will be in close contact and direct coordination with the DUHS senior vice presidents, who will report either to the DUHS EVP/COO or jointly to the DUHS EVP/COO and Mary Klotman, Executive Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine. Other senior leaders with dual reporting responsibilities will continue reporting to Mary Klotman, and an interim plan will be established to replace their DUHS CEO reporting line. All leaders affected by these changes will be notified and provided with details in the coming days.
Duke’s leadership is committed to ensuring a smooth leadership transition and a successful search for Craig’s replacement. Please join us in congratulating Craig and his family!
Daylight Saving Time May Not Trigger Heart Attacks After All, Study Finds
As most Americans prepare to turn their clocks back one hour on Sunday, Nov. 2, a new study is casting doubt on a long-standing belief: that daylight saving time (DST) disrupts sleep enough to trigger a spike in heart attacks.
In a sweeping analysis of nearly 170,000 patients over a decade, researchers at Duke University School of Medicine found no significant increase in heart attacks during the weeks surrounding DST transitions — in neither spring nor fall.
The findings published Sept. 9 in JAMA Network Open challenge earlier, smaller studies that suggested the spring time change, which robs people of an hour of sleep, could lead to a rise in cardiovascular events.
The only exception in the new study was a spike in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) cases following spring DST in 2020, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period of widespread stress, uncertainty, and disruptions to health care.
“This is the most comprehensive look we’ve had at the relationship between DST and heart health,” said lead study author Jennifer Rymer, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Duke Health and an associate professor of medicine in cardiology at Duke School of Medicine. “And the data simply don’t support the idea that changing the clocks causes a surge in heart attacks.”
The study, published using data from the American College of Cardiology Chest Pain MI Registry, examined cases from 2013 to 2022, with analysis conducted between March 2024 and May 2025.
Daylight saving time is the practice of changing clocks twice a year to take advantage of a longer day in warmer months. Lawmakers continue to debate whether to make DST permanent, or to end it altogether.
Duke, along with colleagues, compared heart attack rates during the week of DST — both spring and fall — with the weeks immediately before and after. In the spring, 28,678 patients (17.0%) were treated for AMI during the DST week, compared to 28,596 (16.9%) the week before and 28,169 (16.7%) the week after.
Fall numbers showed a similar pattern: 27,942 patients (16.5%) during DST week, 27,365 (16.2%) the week prior, and 28,120 (16.7%) the week following.
Patient demographics remained stable throughout the study, with a median age of 65 and women making up about one-third of cases.
Researchers found no meaningful differences in hospital deaths, strokes, or other outcomes tied to daylight saving time.
“Advances in post-heart attack treatment over the past decade may also explain why our study did not find statistically significant changes in outcomes, unlike earlier, smaller studies,” said Rymer, who performs procedures, such as angioplasty and stent placement, to quickly open blocked coronary arteries and stop heart attacks.
The study’s authors suggest that previous findings may have been skewed by smaller sample sizes and limited geographic scope.
The broader scope and inclusion of states like Arizona and Hawaii — where DST is not observed — in the new study helped provide a natural control group and perhaps a more accurate picture.
“There are many reasons why heart attacks might become more common during certain times of the year — like when there’s a spike in flu cases or other respiratory illnesses,” Rymer said. “So, while this study looked at heart attack rates around daylight saving time, it’s important to remember that other seasonal factors could also be playing a role.”
Sleep Still Matters
Still, the researchers caution that sleep remains a critical factor in heart health. Poor sleep and extremes in sleep duration — less than six or more than nine hours — have been consistently linked to increased cardiovascular risk.
One hour of additional sleep, studies show, can reduce the risk of heart attack by as much as 20% in short sleepers.
As work schedules have become more flexible and remote jobs more common since the COVID-19 pandemic, the one-hour shift caused by daylight saving time may no longer disrupt daily routines as much as it once did.
With fewer rigid work-hour boundaries and more digital connectivity, the time change may have less impact on sleep patterns and overall health.
While the new findings may ease fears about heart attacks, other studies have linked the time change to increased risk of stroke, car accidents, and workplace injuries.
Additional Authors include Shung Li, Karen Chiswell, PhD, Aman Kansal, MD, Michael G. Nanna, MD, Jorge Antonio Gutierrez, MD, Dmitriy N Feldman, MD, Sunil V. Rao, MD, and senior author Rajesh V. Swaminathan, MD.
Funding was provided by the American College of Cardiology. This article was written by Shantell Kirkendoll for Duke SOM’s Magnify publication.
Duke Heart Team Awarded NHLBI R01
Congratulations to Gerald Bloomfield, Svati Shah (Duke Multi-PIs) and Winstone Nyandiko (Moi University PI)! They have been awarded an R01 from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) for their project entitled: Cardiac function and proteomic biomarkers in individuals with perinatal HIV infection or exposure.
The team will follow a cohort of adolescents and young adults with perinatally-acquired HIV in Kenya to screen for subclinical cardiac dysfunction by echocardiogram, as well as proteomic biomarkers indicative of inflammation and other pathways. By comparing three groups (with HIV, never exposed to HIV, exposed to HIV in utero but without HIV), the team aims to identify the specific contributions of HIV exposure and infection to early cardiac dysfunction in a young cohort. Findings will inform early preventive interventions.
The grant is an R01 mechanism award totaling $4.8M over 5 years.
Way to go, team!
Note of Gratitude
We received a lovely note that was originally sent to James Mills regarding care provided by Deepa Upadhyaya and wanted to share it with our Pulse readers:
“Hi Jim, I am writing to share with you my gratitude and appreciation for the care Deepa extended as a care provider for my family member at DRAH. She was thoughtful and knowledgeable and went out of her way to provide amazing professional care. She went well above what was asked of her as a consultant, an old school physician combining the art and science of medicine. Having colleagues such as Deepa is so meaningful.” — All the best, Lynne Koweek, MD
We are lucky to have you on our team, Deepa!
Duke Heart Adds New Family Member
A belated congratulations to Fran Reda, nurse practitioner at Arringdon, and her husband on the birth of their daughter, Anne Douglas Reda, back on May 22! Anne weighed 8lbs 12oz and was 21 inches at birth. All are doing well!
DCRI’s Beyond the Endpoint Season Two
The Duke Clinical Research Institute (DCRI) launched season 2 of the podcast, Beyond the Endpoint, this week with an episode on autism featuring the interim director of the Duke Center for Autism and Brain Development, Dr. Lauren Franz. The podcast is co-hosted by Manesh Patel and Emily O’Brien (PopHealth).
Beyond the Endpoint launches every other Wednesday on major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Topics planned for the remainder of 2025 include three ‘Beyond the Headlines’ episodes (science-grounded discussions on current headlines); a three-part series on obesity; the use of AI in medicine; colorectal cancer, and behavioral interventions in research. The season will continue through spring of 2026. Guests have been a mix of Duke experts and colleagues from beyond the university.
DUHS & SOM Updates:
Use of Patient Transport Elevators (DUH)
Please remind your teams to refrain from using patient transport elevators. Beginning Tuesday, September 16, new signage will be installed to indicate which elevators in DN and the DCT are designated for patient transport only and should not be used by staff for non-patient transport activities. Your support is appreciated as we work to efficiently care for each patient.
Duke Financial Fitness Week
Each year Duke Human Resources offers a series of free, virtual webinars designed to help you understand your benefits, make smart money moves, and to plan for the future during Duke Financial Fitness Week, Sept. 22-25, 2025. To see the full schedule and RSVP for individual Zoom sessions, please visit: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/finance/financial-fitness/
These sessions are open to all Duke employees — staff, faculty, and anyone interested in learning more about their benefits. No matter your age or contribution status, there’s something here for you. Questions? Contact the Duke Human Resource Information Center at 919-684-5600 or email hr@duke.edu.
Open Enrollment for 2026
The Open Enrollment period for 2026 medical benefits this fall will be extended to three weeks to provide employees with more time to consider the options that best meet their needs. Open enrollment will be Oct. 6-24, 2025. Changes are coming for 2026, including the move from Aetna to Cigna Healthcare for the administration of all medical plans. To learn more, visit: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/enrollment/oe/.
Non-Clinician Headshot Day
Huth Photo is planning a Headshot Day for non-clinicians on Sept. 23. Register Here. Appointments are still available! You can email office@huthphoto.com to be added to their distribution list so you don’t miss future headshot day announcements. Clinical provider headshots are taken by DUHS Marketing & Communications. Contact Tracey Koepke for that schedule.
SOM Town Hall
Dean Klotman will host a School of Medicine Town Hall on September 30 at 12 pm. All faculty, staff, students, and residents are invited to attend. A Zoom link will be available closer to the date of the event.
Bass Connections
Bass Connections is now accepting proposals for 2026-2027 projects that engage faculty, undergraduates and graduate/professional students in the interdisciplinary exploration of complex societal challenges. Please see the project proposal guidelines.
Climate and Health Course
Free Duke Coursera course for the Duke community: Climate and Health for Healthcare Professions.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
September: National Atrial Fibrillation Awareness month
October 9: Flu vaccination season launch
Cardiology Grand Rounds Begins
Cardiologist Bernard Gersh, MB, ChB, DPhil, adjunct professor in the Duke Department of Medicine, will kick off the Cardiology Grand Rounds on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m.
Sept. 16 — Changing Approaches to Risk Stratification in Chronic Coronary Syndromes and Implications for Prevention with Dr. Bernard Gersh. 5 p.m., Duke North 2002 or via Zoom.
MMCVI Grand Rounds
Multi-Modality Cardiovascular Imaging Grand Rounds: A multi-imaging approach to cardiovascular disease cases. Thursdays, Noon to 1 p.m., via Zoom.
Stead Tread 5K Run/Walk – September 20
Department of Medicine Internal Medicine Residency Program annual 5K. 9 a.m., at Solite Park in Durham.
The division with the most participants gets a trophy! Register or donate HERE. Sign up by September 1 to guarantee you will get an event T-shirt! Reach out to event planner Victor Ayeni (victor.ayeni@duke.edu) with any questions.
Get that trophy, Duke Cardiology!
Duke Cardiac Imaging Symposium — October 4
This year’s symposium is designed to address emerging clinical questions in echocardiography, updated guideline recommendations, and new imaging modalities through case-based learning and practical applications. The 2025 agenda features expert-led sessions on updated ASE guidelines, coronary artery disease evaluation, strain imaging in cardiomyopathies, tricuspid valve disease, cardiac POCUS, and technical skills development through hands-on breakout sessions. Trent Semans Center, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
To register, please visit https://duke.is/b/vd87.
2025 Triangle Heart Walk – October 11
Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek
3801 Rock Quarry Rd, Raleigh, NC 27610.
Festivities begin at 7:30 a.m.; “Welcome” program will begin at 8:45 a.m. with the Walk immediately following. The event venue will be open through 11 a.m.
New Faculty Orientation – October 13
The School of Medicine’s annual Academic New Faculty Orientation will be held Monday, October 13, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Trent Semans Center.
To learn more and register, please visit https://duke.is/SOM-NFO.
Dr. Thomas Bashore Collection Opening – October 29
The collection opening celebration is scheduled for October 29 at 4:30 p.m. in the Holsti Anderson Family Assembly Room, Room 153, Rubenstein Library, Duke University, West Campus.
17th Annual NC RTP Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium — October 31
This symposium will explore optimal diagnostic strategies for treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, treatment selection, and timely referrals to specialized PH centers. Clinically challenging presentations, including CTD-PAH, CPPC PH, CTEPH, PH associated with ILD, COPD, portopulmonary hypertension, and PH in end-stage renal disease, will be addressed — with a focus on frontline providers — through interactive lectures and robust case-based discussions. Durham Convention Center. To register, please visit: https://medicine.duke.edu/17th-annual-north-carolina-research-triangle-pulmonary-hypertension-symposium.
Duke Cardiovascular MR Practicum & Board Review – December 8-12
The Fall 2025 course will be held December 8-12 in the Penn Pavilion at Duke University. For more information, contact Michele Parker. The full course brochure and registration link are available here.
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 me 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:
September 6 — Joseph Turek
Oman Observer via NYT syndicate
Doctors find early success with partial heart transplants
August 29 — Duke Health
Medthority
September 7 — Susan Spratt (Endocrinology)
Khaleej Times via NYT syndicate
Four surprising ways healthy heart habits benefit your whole body
September 7 — Renato Lopes
Eurasia Review
Positive Results Revealed From First Prospective Trial In Heart Failure Due To Chagas Disease
September 7 — Fawaz Alenezi
Conexiant/Cardiology
AI Accurately Flags HCM on Echo
September 8 — Sreekanth Vemulapalli
Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology
September 9 — Jennifer Rymer
Medpage Today
Don’t Pin Heart Attacks on Daylight Savings Time, Study Says
September 10 — Robert Lefkowitz
Medical Economics
Could a doctor draft improve physician leadership, research, and U.S. health care?
September 11 — Duke University (Heart study)
Cal Coast Times
New Study Reveals Daylight Saving Time Doesn’t Raise Heart Attack Risk
