Highlights of the week:
Fall HCLC Meeting Held
Our Heart Center Leadership Council held its Fall meeting on Friday, November 14 at the JB Duke Hotel and Conference Center. After a welcome from HCLC Chair Bob Keegan, the Council members heard updates from Drs. Manesh Patel and Carmelo Milano. Presenters included Dr. Chad Hughes of Duke Aortic Center and Dr. Joseph Turek from our pediatric heart team, who each spoke about innovations in cardiovascular surgery; Dr. Svati Shah, who presented on our research vision for cardiovascular care, and then from Drs. Manesh Patel and Sreekanth Vemulapalli, and Keegan, for a discussion about the importance of philanthropy and collaboration for driving innovation in the cardiovascular space.
CT Cardiac Scoring Available at Multiple Duke Locations
Do you have patients in need of CT Cardiac Scoring (CT Calcium Scoring) to evaluate plaque in the heart vessels? Duke Health offers this at three convenient locations, including Duke Medical Pavilion via Hospital Imaging Services, at Duke Imaging Arringdon, and Duke Imaging Heritage for a patient self-pay rate of $150.00, which includes the exam, professional reading, and technical services.
To download a flyer, click here: MC-4081 CT Cardiac Scoring FlyerNoCrop
If you have any questions, please reach out to Barbara Willis, BSN, RN, Imaging Physician Liaison.
NC/SC VAD Event Held
Ventricular Assist Device coordinators from throughout North and South Carolina came together last week in Raleigh for an event focused on best-practice sharing and community building. Although the groups have held numerous such events over the years, gathering slowed during COVID. This is the second regional event the group has hosted since the pandemic. Event planners were Duke’s Laura Blue along with Jen Hajj of the Medical University of South Carolina.
Team members from every VAD Center throughout the region were invited to attend, says Blue. “It’s a great outreach event that brings nurses and nurse practitioners, and coordinators together to collaborate, discuss the latest research, and to provide mutual support to one another over challenges that all VAD centers and providers face.”
She added that such collaborative efforts are a great way to network with teams at regional VAD Centers and to share best practices, and that it can help facilitate patient referrals.
The event was held at the Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Research Triangle Park on Friday, Nov. 7. Sponsors included Abbott and Acelis.
Respiratory Care Team Member Spotlight: Andrew Almond
Duke University Hospital Respiratory Care Clinical Team Lead Andrew Almond is featured this week in a team member spotlight on the Duke Health Careers website!
In his youth, Andrew had a personal diagnosis that sparked his passion for health care. It’s this calling to care – and a family history in the field – that eventually led him to Duke Health, where he’s found a rewarding career in respiratory care. Watch his story.
Respiratory Care Team Retirements
Our Respiratory Care Team is celebrating two retirements after many years of service at Duke:
Paul Robbins, Respiratory Care Services, Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner, 41 years of service
Congratulations to Paul Robbins on his retirement! For four decades, Paul was not only a compassionate caregiver, but a cornerstone of the Respiratory Care Services medical team. Throughout his career, including during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Paul didn’t just care for patients—he helped shape the future of Duke University Hospital.
His commitment extended far beyond his role in patient care. Paul served as an invaluable mentor, teaching countless respiratory therapists, medical doctors, advanced practice providers, and registered nurses the complexities of pulmonary medicine.
But perhaps most importantly, Paul exemplified the power of resilience. In the face of overwhelming circumstances—during COVID, flu seasons, and the uncharted territory of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape—Paul continued to model strength, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. By passing on his newfound knowledge, Paul ensured that our practices would continue to evolve, benefiting not only those who worked alongside him but also newer staff members who will carry his legacy forward.
Paul’s sharp wit and incredible depth of knowledge are unmatched — whether the topic is history, movies, books, cars, music, whiskey, or just about anything else. He has always been able to hold a great conversation with anyone, from all walks of life. His presence, his humor, and the conversations we’ve shared will be deeply missed. Thank you, Paul, for your impact on all of those you served and worked with at Duke.
Lloyd Freeman, Respiratory Care Services, Advanced Respiratory Care Practitioner, 33 years of service
Congratulations, Lloyd, on your retirement! Lloyd has made a lasting impact over his 33 years of service at Duke. He is deeply respected and appreciated by respiratory therapists, nurses, physicians, and staff across the hospital.
Lloyd has played a key role in teaching and mentoring new generations of clinicians, sharing not only his clinical expertise but also his calm, steady approach to patient care. His dedication to supporting others, fostering teamwork, and upholding high standards has shaped the culture of our department.
Colleagues will remember Lloyd for his kindness, his quiet confidence, and the way he made everyone around him feel supported. The impact he made isn’t just in the skills he taught—it’s in the way he made people feel valued and capable. Lloyd’s legacy will continue in the many clinicians he helped train and in the compassionate, patient-centered care he modeled every day. Thank you, Lloyd, for your dedication to your patients and colleagues at Duke!
Congratulations, Paul and Lloyd!
SURE Program Scholars at AHA
Several Duke Cardiovascular Research Center Supporting Undergraduate Research Experiences (SURE) Program Scholars attended and presented posters at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in New Orleans last weekend.
The CVRC ran multiple undergraduate summer programs this year, including two AHA programs. Sudar Rajagopal led the AHA CVRC SURE program while Svati Shah oversaw the AHA Sarnoff SURE program. The following scholars are shown here:
Daliya Rizvi worked with the Lefkowitz Lab (CVRC SURE)
Bailey Herfindahl, who was mentored by Andrew Landstrom (CVRC SURE). In a LinkedIn post last weekend, Herfindahl, a heart disease survivor, wrote, “This weekend, I had the privilege of presenting my research poster at the American Heart Association’s annual international Scientific Sessions. This work was a result of my summer spent as an AHA SURE Scholar in the Landstrom Lab at Duke University, investigating a gene-specific treatment for a rare pediatric arrhythmia condition. In addition to being a SURE Scholar, I was recognized as a patient representative and had the opportunity to share my own cardiac story throughout the weekend. To be a part of this organization and contribute to the incredible life-saving research that has saved my own life was profoundly inspiring. A huge thank you to the American Heart Association‘s SURE Program, Dr. Andrew Landstrom, and Gio Monaco, as well as the rest of the Landstrom lab, for your support and mentorship.”
Inioluwa Olabode who was mentored by Andrew Landstrom (Sarnoff SURE)
Fabian Madera who was mentored by Joseph Turek (Sarnoff SURE)
Not shown is the last undergrad in our AHA-supported program, Casey James Powell, mentored by Satyanarayana Achanta (CVRC SURE).
Way to go, Scholars!
CVRC Food Drive – Contribute by Nov. 21
Reminder! The Karra Lab in the Cardiovascular Research Center is holding a food drive to support the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC.
Any donation of non-perishable food items would be appreciated. The most in-demand food items are peanut butter and jam (in large plastic containers); chicken, tuna, or salmon (in either pouches or pop-top cans); canned fruit and vegetables; soup, ravioli, and other ready-to-eat meals (pop-top cans preferred). Many people in crisis may not have access to manual or electric can openers!
A donation box has been set up on the first floor of the CARL building, as well as in CARL 247. Please plan to bring in donations by Friday, November 21.
If you have any questions, please contact Lauren Parker (lep52@duke.edu), Duke School of Medicine MD/PhD candidate, Karra Lab.
Holiday Decorating Safety Reminders: Keep it Festive and Fire-Safe
As we begin to decorate our spaces this holiday season, let’s keep safety at the heart of our celebrations. Here are a few friendly reminders to help us all stay merry and mindful:
Do’s:
- Use UL-approved artificial trees—fiber optic and pre-wired are great options!
- Choose battery-operated candles and LED lights to avoid fire risks.
- Keep decorations flame-retardant and non-combustible.
- Appoint a team member to turn off lights daily to prevent overheating.
- Avoid door decorations as these are now allowed by Fire Code and Joint Commission.
- Use flame-retardant cotton substitutes like Magic-Glass.
Don’ts:
- No live greenery, metallic trees with electric lights, or aerosol sprays (sorry, no fake snow!).
- Avoid extension cords and never plug power strips into each other.
- Don’t place cords under rugs or across doorways.
- Keep corridors clean, no hanging or draped decorations, and don’t cover more than 25% of wall space.
- Never block fire exits, doors, or safety equipment with decorations.
- Don’t use space heaters. If you are uncomfortable in your workspace, contact Engineering.
Let’s make this season bright—and safe—for everyone. Download and print this flyer to hang in your department. If you have questions, reach out to your department’s safety rep or local OESO office. Read more here.
Campus Construction & Renewal Updates
If you’ve been on campus lately, you know there is a lot of construction taking place all over Duke. For a list of updates and target completion dates, you can read all about what Duke Facilities Management is doing right here.
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
Reminder – Nov. 18 is the deadline for flu vaccination compliance.
Cardiology Grand Rounds
Nov. 18: Wearables for Disease Detection and Monitoring with Jessilyn Dunn. 5 p.m. DN 2002 and via Zoom.
CD Fellows Core Curriculum Conference
Nov. 19: EP Case Presention with Alex Gunn and Yoo Jin Kim. Noon. DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.
Nov. 21: Adult Congenital, part 2 with Rich Krasuski. Noon. Zoom only.
Nov. 26: No conference/holiday
Nov. 28: No conference/holiday
Dec. 3: Match Day Review with Anna Lisa Chamis. Noon. DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.
Dec. 5: SVT with Jon Piccini. Noon. Zoom only.
Dec. 10: EP Case Presentation with Mugdha Joshi and Chad Kloefkorn. Noon. DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.
Dec. 12: Board review with Nishant Shah and Anthony Lin. Noon, via Zoom.
Dec. 17: DHP Case Presentation with Verda Arshad. Noon. DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.
Dec. 19: DHP Case Presentation with Harriet Akunor. Noon, Zoom only.
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.
Nov. 20: Multi-Modality Imaging for LVH with Mugdha Joshi
Nov. 27: NO CONFERENCE (Thanksgiving)
Dec. 4: Echo Imaging to Optimize Cardiac Resynchronization Pacing with Josh Sink
Dec. 11: RV Failure or Pericardial Disease TBD with Cosette Champion
Dec. 18: TBD with Vincent Delgado
Dec. 25: NO CONFERENCE (Christmas)
Upcoming CME Activities:
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.
2026 Duke Heart CMEs Announced
The dates for the following 2026 Duke Heart symposia have been set. We will announce others as they are added.
- Duke Heart Failure Symposium – Saturday, June 6, 2026. Course directors are Marat Fudim, Rob Mentz, Richa Agarwal, and Stephanie Barnes. Location: Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC.
- 18th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium – Friday, October 30, 2026. Course directors are Terry Fortin, Sudar Rajagopal, and Jimmy Ford. Location: Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC.
Please save the dates!
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:
November 7 — Svati Shah
Pharmacy Times
November 8 — Nishant Shah
NBC News*
Harmful cholesterol levels cut in half with one-time gene editing drug in early trial
*carried by affiliates nationally
November 8 — Kristin Newby
CNN*
*carried by affiliates nationally
November 8 — Manesh Patel
Healio/Cardiology Today
Left atrial appendage closure may not confer benefit vs. drug therapy in high-risk AF
November 8 — Manesh Patel
Healio/Cardiology Today
Ongoing anticoagulation may not be necessary after successful atrial fibrillation ablation
November 8 — Sana Al-Khatib and Manesh Patel
tctMD
One Month of Dual Antithrombotic Therapy May Be Enough After PCI in AF Patients
November 9 — Kristin Newby
CNN Espanol
November 10 — Robert Califf
Contagion Live
2024-25 COVID-19 Vaccines Effective Against JN1 Subvariants
November 10 — Robert Califf
The Medical Independent
Cardiovascular disease in ‘tumultuous times’
November 10 — Nishant Shah
PHLatames.com
Un solo tratamiento genético reduce a la mitad el colesterol “malo” en humanos
November 11 — Christopher Granger
tctMD
CELEBRATE: Zalunfiban, a Novel Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Inhibitor, Helps in STEMI
