Chief’s Message:
Hope you are all having a good weekend. We are nearing the last few meetings for cardiovascular medicine this year with TCT and the AHA. We will be sure to give you updates in the coming weeks.
Highlights of the week:
Happy Diwali
Sending everyone warm wishes for Diwali – we hope this time is filled with love, joy, and prosperity. Happy Diwali!
Shah Receives Swann Lee Award Funding
Congratulations to Svati Shah! Her team is one of five research teams from Duke University School of Medicine selected to receive a Swann Lee Award from the Duke Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI). Through the Swann Lee Awards, CTSI is distributing a combined $2 million across the teams to support the development of strategies aimed at reducing chronic disease risk through nutrition-focused approaches.
Shah’s team project is entitled, Dietary Effects and Modifiability of Ectopic Fat Depots and Metabolism in Heart Failure, which will investigate how GLP-1 receptor agonists and dietary ketones impact systemic metabolism in patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF). By integrating AI-assisted imaging and addressing barriers to care access, the study aims to refine therapies for a condition with significant clinical impact and limited treatment options. The project leader is Jenifer Allen, PhD; Shah is the principal investigator.
The Swann Lee Awards for Prevention of Chronic Diseases Using Diet and Nutrition are supported by a generous gift to Duke University School of Medicine from the estate of Swann Lee, who specified that these funds be used “solely for nutritional and laboratory research focused solely on preventive care and health maintenance” — not for medical treatment or disease cures.
In addition to funding, the teams receive project management support from CTSI project leaders for the duration of the 24-month funding cycle. The projects funded exemplify translational innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration, and a strong commitment to healthy lifestyles.
“We are thrilled to support these researchers whose work represents the leading edge of nutrition science and chronic disease prevention,” said Susanna Naggie, MD, MHS, director of the Duke CTSI. “These projects are not only innovative but deeply rooted in the values of health promotion and community engagement.”
Congratulations, Svati!
NC Great 100 Celebrated
The 37th Annual NC Great 100 Gala was held on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at The Maxwell Center in Goldsboro, NC. Our very own Kelly Kester, DMP, senior nursing director with Duke Heart & Vascular, was one of the honorees!
Kester is one of five Duke nurses selected for the NC Great 100 Class of 2025. The others include Melinda Busi and Kathy Sandel with Duke Regional Hospital; Derrick Glymph with Duke School of Nursing; and Blaise Nieve with Duke University Hospital.
Congratulations, Kelly!
Kudos to Curtis
Kudos to Mary Curtis, a financial care counselor in the Duke Heart & Vascular cardiac catheterization lab! Jenn Rymer, MD, says, “Mary always helps the providers in the Cath lab with getting approvals for our patients and answering our questions. She is a wealth of information on financial situations and always an incredible advocate for our patients.”
Thank you for your hard work, kindness, and advocacy, Mary!
Shout-out to Vekstein
Lisa Clark Pickett, MD, sent a wonderful note regarding Andrew Vekstein, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon.
“Good morning, Andrew. I wanted to reach out and thank you for the compassionate and skilled care you delivered to a recent patient we shared. Despite the surgical complexity and her extreme illness, you beautifully managed her surgical care with a remarkable focus on her as a person. Her husband was grateful for your frequent and clear communication, and it made a difference to their family at this difficult time. Your clinical excellence and humanity are clear and appreciated.” — Very best wishes, Lisa Clark Pickett MD, assistant professor of surgery, Division of Trauma, Acute and Critical Care Surgery; assistant professor of medicine, Palliative Care
Great work, Andrew!
Kudos to Gardin
We received a terrific note this week from Mihai Podgoreanu, chief of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology and Critical Care, regarding Taylor Gardin, a critical care nurse with the Duke Heart CTICU.
“I wanted to take a moment and recognize Taylor Gardin for her exceptional leadership and dedication in the CTICU. Always proactive in coordinating complex care, supporting the team through high-acuity situations, maintaining a calm and compassionate presence, and being an asset under fire. Complemented by great communication, a desire to learn, and a focus on staff well-being – from mentoring to bringing snacks. We have some awesome charge nurses in the CTICU, and Taylor is an invaluable one.” — With great appreciation, Mihai Podgoreanu, MD, Chief, Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology and Critical Care
“Taylor, thank you for your leadership presence creating a calm atmosphere in a complex environment. We appreciate everything you do for our patients and team.” — Mary Lindsay, DNP, Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Duke Heart & Vascular
“Taylor, thank you for all you do each day to make Duke Heart such a great place for our patients, their families and our teams!” –Best, Jill R. Engel, DNP, Service Line Vice President – Heart & Vascular
APP Transplant Symposium Held at Duke
The Duke Transplant Advanced Practice Provider Symposium was held last weekend on Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Duke University School of Nursing. Jade Clausen and Courtney Young – two of our amazing Heart & Vascular APPs – were part of the presentation team.
Way to go, Jade and Courtney!
Did you know? Tidbits about Duke’s Impact on Durham
Duke University pays for all city water usage through two master meters and has implemented innovative sustainability measures, including the reuse of 70 million gallons of stormwater via Duke Pond for campus cooling.
Additionally, Duke independently owns and manages more than 34 miles of water and sewer infrastructure across its campus, saving the City of Durham an estimated $10 million annually in maintenance and operational costs!
Go Duke!
DUHS Updates:
COVID vaccine update:
Resources related to the anticipated go-live date for the next phase of COVID-19 vaccine administration across ambulatory practices have been posted to Sharepoint. The updated DUHS Ambulatory COVID-19 Vaccine Administration for Patients Standing Order has been finalized and approved and is now accessible on the Policy Center.
Masking Guidance:
Starting on Wednesday, October 15, masking will be strongly recommended throughout all clinical areas in addition to the areas with year-round mandatory masking. Find more details about masking at DUHS in addition to epidemiology updates, testing, treatment, and employee health guidance for team members in the 2025-2026 Respiratory Virus Season Toolkit.
Leadership changes:
John Yeatts, MD, MPH, will be stepping down from his Population Health Management Office (PHMO) leadership position and leaving Duke Health on November 2, 2025, after serving for more than 13 years. In the interim, Daniel Costello, PHMO’s Chief Operating Officer, will assume primary operating responsibilities and report directly to Matthew Barber, MD, MHS, Senior Vice President, Ambulatory Services and Physician Practices, DUHS.
Diane Reidy-Lagunes, MD has been appointed Physician Vice President, Cancer Services for Duke University Health System, effective November 1, 2025. She will also maintain her current role as Chief of the Division of Medical Oncology for the Duke Department of Medicine. In this expanded leadership role, Dr. Reidy-Lagunes will serve as the physician executive for the cancer service line, responsible for shaping the clinical vision and advancing strategic priorities across all cancer services. She will oversee program development, research integration, and patient-centered care across Durham, Wake, Charlotte, and new markets.
Finally, reminders:
Open Enrollment is underway through October 24. Please review your 2026 elections for medical, dental, vision, and reimbursement accounts. Duke’s annual flu vaccination campaign is also underway. The deadline for compliance is Nov. 18.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
October 6-24: Open Enrollment period for 2026 medical benefits
October 19-25: National Healthcare Quality Week
AHA.25 Duke Annual Reception
The annual Duke reception at the upcoming American Heart Association Annual Scientific Sessions will be held on Nov. 8. (Please see email from DCRI for your official invitation.)
The upcoming Sessions will be held Nov. 7-10, 2025, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. This year’s theme is The Future of Cardiovascular Science Starts Here.
We look forward to seeing you!
Reminder: Please let Tracey Koepke know if you are making a presentation at Sessions so that she can plan to include your findings in Pulse. Thank you!
Cardiology Grand Rounds
Oct. 21: Bridging the gap between physician and patient: a view from the other side with Christopher Kontos. 5 p.m. DN 2002 and via Zoom.
Nov. 4: Building a sustainable acute cardiovascular care program in western Kenya, the journey and lessons learned with Felix Ayub Barasa. 5 p.m., DN 2002 and 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.
Oct. 23 Topic TBD with Tess Allan
Oct. 30: Cardiovascular Imaging in Pregnancy with Nish Shivakumar
CME Activities:
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. Register here.
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.
Community Events:
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.
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:
October 10 — Duke Health/CHAI
Becker’s Health IT
Tensions rise over health AI oversight and regulation
October 12 — Robert Mentz
The Economic Times
October 15 — Neha Pagidipati
Green Me
October 16 — Duke Health (partial heart tx)
Bluewin/Swisscom
