Monthly Archives: March 2026

Highlights of the week:

DUHS Leadership Update: Dave Zaas Appointed CEO, DUHS, Effective May 1

David Zaas, MD, MBA, a seasoned academic health care executive and physician scientist with a long history in Durham, will be the next chief executive officer of Duke University Health System (DUHS).

Zaas comes to DUHS from Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist (AHWFB), where he is president and CEO as well as executive vice president of Health Affairs for Wake Forest University. Zaas spent almost 20 years with Duke Health between 2001 and 2020. He will return to Duke to start his new role on May 1.

“I am delighted to welcome Dr. David Zaas back to Duke to serve as CEO of Duke University Health System,” said President Vincent E. Price. “As a physician and executive, David has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing and delivering world-class patient care along with an exceptional ability to lead complex, people-centered organizations. This appointment follows a nationwide search conducted by a committee of Duke University trustees and members of the DUHS board of directors, and Duke faculty members, clinicians and administrators. I’m grateful to Trustee and DUHS Board of Directors Vice Chair Tom Lister for chairing the search committee, and to Dr. Manesh Patel, Richard Sean Stack, M.D. Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Division of Cardiology and Division of Clinical Pharmacology, for serving as vice chair.  I want to also extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Thomas Owens and the DUHS leadership team for their service during this transition period that has positioned DUHS for even greater success.”

As CEO of DUHS, Zaas will be responsible for strategic and operational oversight of DUHS and its senior leadership team. He will report jointly to the DUHS Board of Directors and to Price. He will work in close partnership with Mary Klotman, MD, the executive vice president for health affairs and chief academic officer of Duke Health, who also reports to Price in that capacity. Klotman also serves as dean of the School of Medicine.

“David is an outstanding leader with a proven record of advancing excellence in health care at all levels,” said Nancy Schlichting, chair of the DUHS Board of Directors. “During this challenging time for health care organizations, David is the right person to lead DUHS and I look forward to working with him to build on our longstanding tradition of excellence. I’m also grateful to Tom Lister for leading the rigorous search process that resulted in this outstanding appointment, which positions Duke to continue its global leadership in health care.”

Zaas has broad leadership experience in academic medicine over the last two decades. Prior to joining AHWFB, he held senior leadership roles at the Medical University of South Carolina Health including CEO for the Charleston Division and system chief clinical officer. During his previous tenure with Duke Health, Zaas was a physician scientist with progressive leadership roles. He led the world’s largest lung transplant program and was vice chair for the Department of Medicine at Duke. He also served as chief medical officer for the Duke Private Diagnostic Clinic before serving as president of Duke Raleigh Hospital from 2014 to 2020.

“I am honored to return to Duke and energized to lead Duke University Health System during this next phase of growth,” Zaas said. It is a privilege to work alongside such outstanding team members as we expand our impact, strengthen our academic mission, and continue to set the standard for academic health systems nationally.”

Congratulations, Dr. Zaas — we are excited to have you back at Duke!

 

Three Heart Faculty Earn Named Professorships

Congratulations to Drs. Jacob Schroder, Jonathan Piccini, and Joseph Turek. Each has recently earned a named professorship.

We learned this week that cardiothoracic surgeon Jacob Schroder, MD, has been named the inaugural Merlin Assistant Professor of Surgery effective March 1, 2026. This professorship was created to support a scholar of distinction, noted Mary Klotman, MD, dean of the School of Medicine, in her notification letter. Congratulations, Jacob!

 

 

 

 

 

Duke University announced this week that 22 faculty members in the School of Medicine have been awarded distinguished professorships, including Jonathan Piccini, MD and Joseph Turek, MD, PhD. Their professorships were approved in February by Duke’s Board of Trustees. They will be honored at the university’s annual distinguished professorship event on May 18.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Piccini, a cardiac electrophysiologist and director of the electrophysiology section in the Division of Cardiology, has been named the Ursula Geller Distinguished Professor of Research in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Turek, a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, has been named the Joseph W. and Dorothy W. Beard Distinguished Professor of Surgery.

Congratulations – these are well deserved!

 

ACC 26: CICU Team Members Present Pre-Conference Session

We received a terrific shout-out from Willard Applefeld regarding an ACC pre-conference session presentation by Erika Patric and Jeff Washam:

“I want to give a huge shoutout to two critical members of our CICU team – Erika Patrick (née Schwengel) and Jeff Washam. They both gave fantastic presentations during one of the Inaugural preconference sessions at ACC.26, “Essentials in Critical Care Cardiology”. This inaugural pre-conference session was designed to be targeted to individuals who might not work in a level 1 CICU like ours but interface with critically ill patients with cardiovascular disease. Fundamentally, the program was designed for the busy cardiologist in the community who needs a refresher on the CICU topics they haven’t encountered before. This is a new ACC program and the draw was high: 209 registrants. 

Jeff gave a terrific talk on Addressing Complications of Outpatient Cardiovascular/ Cardiometabolic Medications in the Critical Care Setting. Erika gave a talk on the hemodynamic impact of anesthetics, sedatives, and analgesics in the ICU.

I want to bring them to your attention not just because of the excellent job they did with the topic- after all, that’s the expectation of ALL Duke Faculty who present at national meetings. I do want to highlight how exceptional they were. One participant came up to the mic after Erika’s talk and said “I’ve been traveling to critical care meetings and listening to talks on this for 20 years. That’s the best talk on this subject I’ve ever heard.” However, I also want to highlight their exceptionally hard work and leadership. Erika and Jeff helped plan this pre-con and helped design it from the ground up, meeting multiple times a month to hammer out logistics, faculty, teaching points, simulation etc. for an all-day meeting. It is a testament to their work it was a success. 

We have an exceptional team here at Duke and I’m so happy to be part of it and work with people who are so phenomenal.” – Willard Applefeld, MD

Way to go, Erika and Jeff – excellent work – and impressive registration numbers!

We expect to have more ACC coverage in our next issue of Pulse.

 

Kudos to Narcisse and 7E Team

We received a note of gratitude and appreciation this week from a patient regarding care provided by the 7E team and Dennis Narcisse, MD:

“I am currently a patient in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit and want to thank and commend you for the outstanding team of cardiology faculty/attendings and fellows that you have assembled for patients at Duke University Hospital. The recruitment, development, and nurturing of your people is, in my mind, the most important role you have, and you have obviously done it exceedingly well.

Everyone has treated me with great skill and great caring and compassion. There is however one cardiologist with whom I particularly bonded, that is Dr. Narcisse. It is my understanding that he is one of the newer additions to your faculty, and he is absolutely outstanding. His clinical skills are obvious; he explains things clearly and answers all my questions. He does all this with a superb bedside manner that delivers warmth and humor to the patient. He is the type of physician who will make sure that any patient would want to return to see him and the other members of your fine staff.

Thank you for giving me this opportunity to communicate with you. My best wishes for your continued success.” – name withheld for privacy.

Dennis and 7E team members – you make us so proud!

 

Kudos to Vekstein and 6E Team

In a letter shared with us by Peter Allen, MD, chair of the Department of Surgery, a grateful family member shared their thoughts on care provided at Duke University Hospital’s 6West team and by Andrew Vekstein, MD:

“Although I write this letter with a heavy heart after the recent death of my wife, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation for the excellent and compassionate care which she received at Duke Hospital.

[After complications following an elective procedure at another hospital, patient was transferred to Duke under the care of Dr. Vekstein. Details from letter have been omitted here.]

“After almost eight weeks and more than a dozen subsequent supportive procedures, she ultimately passed away quietly under hospice care. Shortly before her death, we were able to renew our marital vows of almost 50 years in the presence of many family members and medical staff. I will forever cherish those moments and over 50 years of wonderful memories. I am also extremely thankful for the excellent and compassionate care my wife received from the Duke surgical staff, led by Dr. Vekstein, and the devoted 6E nursing staff who clearly loved her. Dr. Vekstein visited twice every day during their hospitalization and provided me with outstanding communication. Although I miss her dearly, I am truly grateful that Dr. Vekstein was her surgeon. The Department of Surgery is most fortunate to count Dr. Vekstein among its faculty members Please let Dr. Vekstein know how thankful and appreciative I remain for the outstanding care he provided to my wife and our family.” – name withheld for privacy.

Outstanding care, Andrew and team. The compassion you provide does not go unnoticed.

 

National Doctors’ Day is Monday, March 30

Happy Doctors’ Day to all of DUHS physicians, fellows, and residents! There will be celebration stations/events across all three Duke hospitals on Monday, March 30.

At Duke University Hospital, three breakfast/snack stations will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.:

• Duke North, 2^nd floor, near the lecture halls (2001-2003)
• Duke Central Tower, 1^st floor conference room (1B26, near DCT hallway to Starbucks)
• Duke Medicine Pavilion, 2^nd floor, Room 2W91.

Duke Regional Hospital will host a breakfast station from 6:45 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on the 2^nd floor in Medical Staff Services near Outpatient Services.

Duke Raleigh Hospital will host a luncheon in the Provider Lounge from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Physicians, thank you for all you do!

 

Newest Duke Heart CME Announced

Duke will hold its Case-Based Multimodality Imaging Symposium on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 in the Great Hall of the Trent Semans Center. Our course directors are Drs. Sreek Vemulapalli and Anita Kelsey.

The Duke Case-Based Multimodality Imaging Symposium is dedicated to exploring the latest advancements and techniques in echocardiography. This symposium is designed for cardiac sonographers, imaging cardiologists, and healthcare professionals involved in cardiovascular imaging. Through engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities, the symposium aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate complex clinical scenarios and deliver optimal patient care in the evolving field of cardiac imaging and echocardiography.

Topics to be covered will include cardiomyopathies, valvular heart disease, multimodality imaging case presentations, point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) guidelines, and imaging stewardship.

Please consider joining us!

 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Cardiology Grand Rounds

April 7: On the Way to Advanced Heart Failure with Paula Rambarat, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 and via Zoom.

 

CD Fellows Core Curriculum Conference

April 1: Heart and Diabetes with Nishant Shah. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

April 3: No conference – Holiday

April 8: EP Case Conference with Cosette Champion and Alex Gunn. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

April 10: ECG Review with Tom Bashore. Noon, Zoom only.

April 15: DHP Case Conference with Hubert Haywood. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

April 17: ECG Review with Neil Freeman. Noon, Zoom only.

April 22: HF/TX Case Conference with Yoo Jin Kim. Noon, Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

April 24: TBD. Noon, Zoom only.

April 29: EP Case Conference with Krunal Amin and Verda Arshad. Noon, DMP 7E39 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.

April 2: Assessment and Interventional Planning for Tricuspid Disease with Jon Kusner

April 9: Heart Transplant Rejection Surveillance with Merna Hussein/Joe Lerman

April 16: CANCELLED

April 23: Cardiac Masses with Fawaz Alenezi

April 30: HOCM with Fawaz Alenezi

May 7: Imaging Approach to Congenital Heart Disease with Bharathi Upadhya

May 14: Pericardial Diseases with Fawaz Alenezi

May 21: Imaging TOF Patient with Bharathi Upadhya

May 28: HFpEF Imaging Modalities with Rebecca/Harriet

June 4: Endocarditis with Fawaz Alenezi

June 11: CT Fractional Flow Review and Akshay Pendyal

June 18: D-Trans vs L-Trans Congenital Heart Disease with Fawaz Alenezi

June 25: Systemic and Pulmonary Hypertensive Heart Disease with Fawaz Alenezi

 

Upcoming CME Activities:

2026 Duke Heart CMEs

The dates for the following 2026 Duke Heart symposia have been set. We will announce others as they are added.

• June 6: Duke Heart Failure Symposium — Course directors are Marat Fudim, Rob Mentz, Richa Agarwal, and Stephanie Barnes. Location: Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC.
• October 30: 18^th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium – Course directors are Terry Fortin, Sudar Rajagopal, and Jimmy Ford. Location: Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC.
• September 26: Duke Case-Based Multimodality Imaging Symposium – Course directors are Sreek Vemulapalli and Anita Kelsey. Location: Trent Semans Center, Great Hall.

Please save the dates!

 

NC Walk for Victory — Support our Aortic team!

Duke Heart & Vascular is proud to again serve as the presenting sponsor of the NC Walk for Victory being held in Raleigh on Saturday, April 25. Dr. Chad Hughes is again serving as medical director for the walk and he does a fantastic job!

This event unites our regional Marfan/LDS/VEDS community in support of patients and families affected by genetic aortic and vascular conditions. It’s a wonderful event that has grown larger each year. We love seeing our patients and their families join in all the fun — and we’d love to see you there as well!

Please join us from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at Laurel Hills Community Center in Laurel Hills Park located at 3808 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612. This is an easy to find location with ample and free parking.

Please join our team and donate to this cause if you are able, and forward this message to anyone who may be interested in joining! Together, we walk for awareness. Together, we Walk for Victory.

Thank you!

 

Support Ramos & Visionaries of the Year Campaign

Please consider supporting our amazing team member, Dayana Ramos, DNP, a critical care nurse practitioner in cardiology (and cancer survivor) during this year’s Visionaries of the Year campaign with Blood Cancer United.

“I’m currently raising funds for this year’s Visionaries of the Year campaign with Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) as part of Team Don’t Give Up!” said Ramos. “This cause is incredibly personal to me, as a leukemia survivor who recently celebrated five years cancer-free, I know firsthand how critical research funding and patient support truly are.”

The 10-week fundraising competition kicks off on March 9, and her goal is to raise $25,000 to help advance lifesaving treatments and support families facing blood cancer.

Please support Dayana in any way you can, even if only with words of encouragement! Her fundraising page for Blood Cancer United can be found 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.

Events of the week:

In Memoriam: Virginia “VA” Coe, CT Surgery SDU APP

It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of our colleague, Virginia Coe, on Sunday, March 8, 2026. Coe was a wonderful colleague and friend who was a vital member of the Duke Heart team for 20 years – serving our patients as a nurse since 2006, and from 2019 as a nurse practitioner on our cardiothoracic surgery step-down units.

Many thanks to Ashley Barba and Stephanie Buck for taking time to share their memories with us and for shining a spotlight on VA. May her memory be a blessing.

Virginia Coe, known to all of us as “VA”, was a beloved member of the Duke University Hospital family whose warmth, compassion, and joyful spirit touched countless lives. VA began her career at Duke University Hospital in 2006 as a nurse on 3300. From the very beginning, she brought not only exceptional clinical skill, but also unmatched kindness and humanity that made patients and colleagues feel cared for and valued. In 2019, after earning her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina, she continued her career as a cardiothoracic nurse practitioner on the step-down unit, where she remained a steady, compassionate presence for patients and teammates.

VA had a gift for bringing light into every room she entered. She was always smiling, quick with a joke, and known for her infectious laugh that always had a way of lifting the spirits of everyone around her. Even on the most difficult days, VA managed to bring humor, encouragement, and comfort to those who needed it most. Her selflessness, generosity, and genuine love for people made her not just a respected colleague, but a treasured friend.

One of VA’s favorite sayings was, “Bloom where you’re planted.” She taught us just how true this statement was, living life with optimism, resilience, and grace, always making the very best of wherever she found herself. Whether caring for patients, supporting coworkers, or spending time with loved ones, she poured her whole heart into everything she did.

Outside of the hospital, VA’s world revolved around the people she loved. She was devoted to her family and friends. Additionally, she adored her dog, a three-legged pug rescue, Penny, who loved Virginia and was fiercely protective of her.

VA passed away at the age of 44 after a long, relentless battle with ovarian cancer. Her loss is felt profoundly by all who had the privilege of knowing her. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit lives on in the kindness she showed, the laughter she shared, and the example she set for all of us.

Those who had the privilege of knowing VA will carry her light forward—remembering her laughter, her compassion, and her reminder to always bloom where we are planted.

A full obituary for VA can be found here on the Hall Wynne website.

 

Kelsey Featured in AHA March Madness Healthier Habits

For college basketball fans, few things are as exciting as March Madness. And few college basketball rivalries stir as much excitement as the one between Duke University and the University of North Carolina.

But some things transcend even such a storied sports rivalry. Want proof? The American Heart Association asked a pair of experts from both schools: Do they actually agree it’s good to think about your health amid the hundreds of hours of basketball in the men’s and women’s tournaments?

What did our Michelle Kelsey, MD and her UNC counterpart Dr. Kelly Evenson say? Read here!

 

NC Walk for Victory — Support our Aortic team!

Duke Heart & Vascular is proud to again serve as the presenting sponsor of the NC Walk for Victory being held in Raleigh on Saturday, April 25. Dr. Chad Hughes is again serving as medical director for the walk, and he does a fantastic job!

This event unites our regional Marfan/LDS/VEDS community in support of patients and families affected by genetic aortic and vascular conditions. It’s a wonderful event that has grown larger each year. We love seeing our patients and their families join in all the fun — and we’d love to see you there as well!

Please join us from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at Laurel Hills Community Center in Laurel Hills Park located at 3808 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612. This is an easy to find location with ample and free parking.

Please join our team and donate to this cause if you are able, and forward this message to anyone who may be interested in joining! Together, we walk for awareness. Together, we Walk for Victory.

Thank you!

 

This week! ACC Scientific Sessions Annual Reception

Please join us on Saturday, March 28 at the Duke Annual Reception at the 2026 ACC Scientific Sessions. We’ll be having an NCAA Elite Eight Watch Party as well… join us from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., CT, in Gravier A & B of the New Orleans Marriott, Warehouse Arts District. For questions about the event, please reach out to Elizabeth.evans@duke.edu or natalie.sayewich@duke.edu.

 

DUHS & Campus Updates

New Policy for Core Training Effective April 1

Duke Health is moving to one deadline for all team members to complete the five Annual Global Core Training modules. This new policy, effective April 1, 2026, requires completion of these modules between April 1 – May 31, 2026.

This change is a result of feedback received from team members and is part of the DUHS commitment to Adapt to Improve. The ability to now complete these trainings within a defined period of time will improve consistency across the organization, offer a more defined standard of work for this process, and reduce administrative burden for the organization through simplified tracking.

The five Annual Global Core training modules required for all team members include:

• Compliance Annual Update
• Annual HIPAA Privacy Training
• Annual IT Security Awareness
• HICS Emergency Preparedness
• Fire Safety

Completing all five core training modules takes approximately one hour, a duration that has been reduced each year as DUHS continues to refine the overall process based on employee and leadership feedback.

Please note:

• Team members whose required training is due for 2026 will receive an email from the Duke Learning Management System (LMS) around April 1 notifying them that their modules are now available. They will need to complete the modules by May 31, 2026.
• Team members who have completed their required training modules between January 1 – March 31, 2026 will be considered compliant and will not need to complete the training again until April 2027.
• Team members whose training deadline is January 1 – March 31, 2026 will be allowed to wait until May 31, 2026 to complete their modules.
• Only the five required Annual Global Core training modules listed above will be due on May 31, 2026. Compliance deadlines for all other mandatory modules will remain the same.

Thank you!

 

Duke Commits $203 Million to Expand Economic Opportunity in the Triangle

Duke University and Duke University Health System this week launched HomeGrown, an initiative to invest $203 million over three years to expand local hiring, spend more with Durham and Triangle businesses, and invest in affordable housing.

HomeGrown will leverage Duke’s position as one of the region’s largest private employers and a major economic driver to help people in our community get ahead — through better jobs, more opportunities for local businesses, and investments that make it easier for families to stay in the community they call home. The program builds on our longstanding existing partnerships while establishing new commitments and greater transparency around Duke’s impact in the region.

HomeGrown is an initiative we can all be proud of. It is a direct reflection of our culture commitment to Put People First — and a great example of the investments we make in the communities we serve. Learn more about HomeGrown on Duke Health Now and on the Duke Community Affairs website.

A news release can be found here.

 

Ongoing Campus Construction

Please find the latest summary of anticipated impacts for ongoing campus construction and renewal projects. This information is meant to keep you informed regarding campus navigation. 

 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Cardiology Grand Rounds

March 24: The Rise of DCD Heart Transplant: Is the DCD Era Meeting Expectations? with Joshua Rushakoff, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 or via Zoom.

April 7: On the Way to Advanced Heart Failure with Paula Rambarat, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 and via Zoom.

 

CD Fellows Core Curriculum Conference

March 25: ECG Review with Neil Freedman. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

March 27: NO CONFERENCE/ACC Annual Sessions   

 

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.

March 26: Chest Pain Imaging with Fawaz Alenezi

April 2: Assessment and Interventional Planning for Tricuspid Disease with Jon Kusner

April 9: Heart Transplant Rejection Surveillance with Merna Hussein/Joe Lerman

April 16: CANCELLED

April 23: Cardiac Masses with Fawaz Alenezi

April 30: HOCM with Fawaz Alenezi

May 7: Imaging Approach to Congenital Heart Disease with Bharathi Upadhya

May 14: Pericardial Diseases with Fawaz Alenezi

May 21: Imaging TOF Patient with Bharathi Upadhya

May 28: HFpEF Imaging Modalities with Rebecca/Harriet

June 4: Endocarditis with Fawaz Alenezi

June 11: CT Fractional Flow Review and Akshay Pendyal

June 18: D-Trans vs L-Trans Congenital Heart Disease with Fawaz Alenezi

June 25: Systemic and Pulmonary Hypertensive Heart Disease with Fawaz Alenezi

 

Upcoming CME Activities:

2026 Duke Heart CMEs

The dates for the following 2026 Duke Heart symposia have been set. We will announce others as they are added.

• June 6: Duke Heart Failure Symposium — Course directors are Marat Fudim, Rob Mentz, Richa Agarwal, and Stephanie Barnes. Location: Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC.
• October 30: 18^th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium – Course directors are Terry Fortin, Sudar Rajagopal, and Jimmy Ford. Location: Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC.

Please save the dates!

 

Support Ramos & Visionaries of the Year Campaign

Please consider supporting our amazing team member, Dayana Ramos, DNP, a critical care nurse practitioner in cardiology (and cancer survivor) during this year’s Visionaries of the Year campaign with Blood Cancer United.

“I’m currently raising funds for this year’s Visionaries of the Year campaign with Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) as part of Team Don’t Give Up!” said Ramos. “This cause is incredibly personal to me, as a leukemia survivor who recently celebrated five years cancer-free, I know firsthand how critical research funding and patient support truly are.”

The 10-week fundraising competition kicks off on March 9, and her goal is to raise $25,000 to help advance lifesaving treatments and support families facing blood cancer.

Please support Dayana in any way you can, even if only with words of encouragement! Her fundraising page for Blood Cancer United can be found 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.

 

Chief’s message: Week of Remembrance

Many of us have memories of people that have affected our lives and impacted our thinking.  At Duke – there are so many people through the years that have been leaders in heart and vascular medicine and surgery – that it is part of our culture to pay it forward and train the next generation.  This week we learned unfortunately of the passing of Dr. Jess Peter at age 90.  We have the full memorial below, but for many of our cardiology faculty, graduates, fellows, and staff – it will just be the start of capturing who Jess was.  Along with Drs. Behar and Kong, Jess was one of the original three physicians that brought interventional cardiology to Duke.  Over a 40 year career at Duke, he brought limitless enthusiasm, skill, humor, curiosity, and drive to innovate and improved patient centered care.  His lessons for those that got to work with him will be forever ingrained.  For many of our fellows at graduation in the spring, I often highlight that in their career they will be faced with challenges and times during clinical care when they will need to rely on their training and character. Often at these times of stress we note that they will hear the voices and phrases of those who trained them.  For many generations of cardiologists – Jess is one of those voices we still hear when faced with particularly challenging times. A memorial service will be held in the spring and we will share details when available.

News of the week:

In Memoriam: Robert Hatton “Jess” Peter, MD

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Professor of Medicine Robert Hatton “Jess” Peter, MD, who died on March 7, 2026, at the age of 90. Dr. Peter was a pioneering figure in interventional cardiology and a beloved part of our community.

Dr. Peter was a foundational member of our Duke team and an internationally recognized leader in cardiology whose contributions shaped the field as we know it today. These include his work toward developing new methods of opening blocked coronary arteries as an alternative to open-heart surgery. He began his distinguished academic and medical career at Duke University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1957, before completing his medical training at the Duke University School of Medicine in 1961.

His early career included rigorous training at Duke University Medical Center and Yale—New Haven Medical Center, experiences that set the stage for an extraordinary trajectory in cardiovascular medicine. He served in the United States Navy at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia, where he directed the Cardiopulmonary Laboratory and attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander. While at Duke, he served as Associate Director of the Cardiology Laboratory at Duke University Medical Center and Professor of Medicine from 1980 until his retirement in 2005.

He possessed remarkable technical skills and clinical judgment in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, where he spent much of his professional life. Fellows loved doing cases with him, not only because of his expertise, but because he made every case a learning experience. He had a gift for teaching – he was calm, thoughtful, and always encouraging. His mentorship shaped generations of cardiologists, many of whom now lead programs across the country.

“Having trained under Jess in interventional cardiology within the Cath lab, I can personally attest to the profound impact he had on me in my career as well as generations of cardiologists, fellows, faculty, and patients alike,” said Manesh Patel, MD, chief of the division of cardiology and vice president of Duke Heart and Vascular Services. “His legacy as a giant in our cardiology group continues to inspire us, and his teachings remain a cornerstone for our fellows in training. ”

Dr. Peter was known not only for his technical expertise and pioneering spirit, but also for his humility, warmth, and unwavering dedication to patient care. He received numerous teaching awards during his career, including the Eugene Stead Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Thomas M. Bashore, MD Teaching Award, presented annually by the Duke Cardiology Fellows. The Warren S. Newman Fellowship in Cardiology Endowment Fund was established in his honor. His influence continues to resonate through the countless patients he treated, the trainees he inspired, and the innovations in interventional cardiology to which he contributed.

He was also known for his wonderful sense of humor and warm spirit.

“He brought enthusiasm, compassion, and a light-hearted sense of humor to even the most challenging situations,” said Michael H. Sketch, Jr., MD, professor emeritus of medicine in cardiology. “The Cath lab was full of his classic sayings and quick wit, which put everyone at ease. When a skeptical interventional fellow questioned a subtle lesion on the angiogram, he would calmly reply, ‘There is a lesion there. I know you may not see it, but trust me, it is there.’ And if a fellow became a little too enthusiastic with the panning during an angiogram, he would deadpan, ‘Hang on a minute… I just threw up.’ Those moments captured his humor perfectly—sharp, playful, and unforgettable.”

Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Peter cherished his family. He is survived by his wife Mary Ann Peter, RN, PhD, their children Jon, William, and Jennifer, and five grandchildren.

Jess and Mary Ann created many traditions over the years that reflected their warmth and generosity. For many years, they hosted the cardiology fellows for an end-of-year dinner at their farm – an unforgettable lobster feast that everyone looked forward to. Those evenings captured the essence of who they were: welcoming, joyful, and deeply committed to the community around them. He was, of course, an enthusiastic and loyal Duke fan.

His legacy is profound and enduring and he will be deeply missed. His impact on Duke and the field of cardiology will continue to guide and inspire us for years to come. In his memory, flags across Duke University and Duke Health were lowered on Friday, March 13.

A memorial service will be held this spring, and details will be shared once finalized. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Orange County Emergency Services, Attn: EMS Community Giving Fund, P.O. Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278. His online obituary can be found here.

Our heartfelt thoughts go out to Dr. Peter’s family, friends, and colleagues.

 

16-Year Study Finds Major Health Burden in Single‑Ventricle Heart 

Children born with single‑ventricle heart disease, a rare and serious heart defect, often undergo multiple surgeries in their first years of life. A new study shows the challenges for these children can last well into adolescence and sometimes throughout their lives.

Researchers from Duke Health and the Pediatric Heart Network followed 549 children with single ventricle heart disease for 16 years and found that 87% either died or developed a major health problem over time. Only 12% reached adolescence without a significant complication. 

These findings, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology March 11, give families a clearer picture of what to expect and offer the medical community a new direction for improving care.

“Now that we understand these trajectories and the risk factors for suboptimal outcomes, we can counsel families more clearly and tailor therapies to each child,” said Kevin D. Hill, MD, corresponding author, chief of the division of pediatric cardiology and professor in the Department of Pediatrics at Duke University School of Medicine.

The study introduces a new way of evaluating long-term health called a global rank score. It’s a measure developed with input from families that captures what matters most to them, including daily functioning, quality of life, and heart performance. 

One of the most important findings for families is that most children will continue to need specialized care long after surgery. The study found high rates of adaptive behavior delays, quality of life challenges, and reduced heart function in many patients, often emerging gradually as they grow.

Researchers also found that premature babies faced the steepest uphill climb. More than 60% of premature infants in the study died, and only 3% reached adolescence without major problems. The data suggest that supporting healthy pregnancies and preventing preterm birth could make a meaningful difference.

For clinicians, the study provides new clues that may help tailor early surgical decisions. Although the two main shunt types used in infancy showed similar long-term outcomes overall, babies who had moderate or severe tricuspid valve leakage before surgery did worse with the right ventricle shunt, a finding that could guide future decision making.

Just as importantly, the study revealed substantial differences among hospitals. Some centers had lower early mortality, while others excelled in long-term follow-up and rehabilitation. This variation highlights opportunities to share best practices and improve care, no matter where a child is treated.

“These children need lifelong comprehensive care, including medical, developmental, and school support,” Hill said. “It’s not like they get surgery and are ‘fixed.’ Ongoing, coordinated services are essential to help them thrive.”

The study emphasizes that children with single-ventricle heart disease often face challenges in multiple areas of life. The research team hopes these findings will help families feel better prepared, while giving healthcare teams a roadmap for improving outcomes through physical therapy, mental health support, school accommodations, exercise programs, and strong long-term monitoring.

In addition to Hill, study authors include Lillian Kang, Qiao Wang, Jane W Newburger, J. William Gaynor, Kristin M. Burns, Richard Williams, Felicia Trachtenberg, Brian W. McCrindle, Eric M. Graham, Christian Pizarro, Awais Ashfaq, Andrew Souza, James A. Kuo, Dawn Ilardi, Kurt R. Schumacher, Hwanhee Hong, and Caren S. Goldberg.

This work was funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (HL135680, HL135685, HL135683, HL135689, HL135646, HL135665, HL135678, HL135682, HL135666, and HL135691) with additional support from the Miracle Miley Research Fund. 

 

ACC Scientific Sessions Annual Reception

Please join us on Saturday, March 28 at the Duke Annual Reception at the 2026 ACC Scientific Sessions. We’ll be having an NCAA Elite Eight Watch Party as well… join us from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., CT, in Gravier A & B of the New Orleans Marriott, Warehouse Arts District. For questions about the event, please reach out to Elizabeth.evans@duke.edu or natalie.sayewich@duke.edu.

 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Cardiology Grand Rounds

March 17: M&M ECPR with Dennis Narcisse, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 or via Zoom.

March 24: The Rise of DCD Heart Transplant: Is the DCD Era Meeting Expectations? with Joshua Rushakoff, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 or via Zoom.

April 7: On the Way to Advanced Heart Failure with Paula Rambarat, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 and via Zoom.

 

CD Fellows Core Curriculum Conference

March 18: HF/TX Case Review with Rebecca Steinberg. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

March 20: AFib 101 with Jonathan Piccini. Noon, Zoom only.

March 25: ECG Review with Neil Freedman. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

March 27: NO CONFERENCE/ACC Annual Sessions   

 

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.

March 19: Assessment and Decision-making in Multivalvular Heart Disease with Alina Nicoara

March 26: Chest Pain Imaging with Fawaz Alenezi

April 2: Assessment and Interventional Planning for Tricuspid Disease with Jon Kusner

April 9: Heart Transplant Rejection Surveillance with Merna Hussein/Joe Lerman

April 16: CANCELLED

April 23: Cardiac Masses with Fawaz Alenezi

April 30: HOCM with Fawaz Alenezi

May 7: Imaging Approach to Congenital Heart Disease with Bharathi Upadhya

May 14: Pericardial Diseases with Fawaz Alenezi

May 21: Imaging TOF Patient with Bharathi Upadhya

May 28: HFpEF Imaging Modalities with Rebecca/Harriet

June 4: Endocarditis with Fawaz Alenezi

June 11: CT Fractional Flow Review and Akshay Pendyal

June 18: D-Trans vs L-Trans Congenital Heart Disease with Fawaz Alenezi

June 25: Systemic and Pulmonary Hypertensive Heart Disease with Fawaz Alenezi

 

Ultrasound Vendor Fair, March 17

The Department of Emergency Medicine is hosting their second annual Ultrasound Vendor Fair on March 17 and all are invited to attend, specifically all those who use point of care ultrasound.

This fair will highlight the latest cart-based and handheld technology from a variety of POCUS vendors. It will be an ideal opportunity for hands-on demos of the latest software and hardware offerings from these companies. There will be a small raffle giveaway as well. 

When: Tuesday, March 17^th 

Where: Trent Semans 3025 (Classroom 3) 

When: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Questions? Please reach out to Shawn Sethi, MD at shawn.sethi@duke.edu.

Please stop by at any point! 

 

Support Ramos & Visionaries of the Year Campaign

Please consider supporting our amazing team member, Dayana Ramos, DNP, a critical care nurse practitioner in cardiology (and cancer survivor) during this year’s Visionaries of the Year campaign with Blood Cancer United.

“I’m currently raising funds for this year’s Visionaries of the Year campaign with Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) as part of Team Don’t Give Up!” said Ramos. “This cause is incredibly personal to me, as a leukemia survivor who recently celebrated five years cancer-free, I know firsthand how critical research funding and patient support truly are.”

The 10-week fundraising competition kicks off on March 9, and her goal is to raise $25,000 to help advance lifesaving treatments and support families facing blood cancer.

Please support Dayana in any way you can, even if only with words of encouragement! Her fundraising page for Blood Cancer United can be found here.

 

Upcoming CME Activities:

2026 Duke Heart CMEs

The dates for the following 2026 Duke Heart symposia have been set. We will announce others as they are added.

• June 6: Duke Heart Failure Symposium — Course directors are Marat Fudim, Rob Mentz, Richa Agarwal, and Stephanie Barnes. Location: Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC.
• October 30: 18^th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium – 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.

Chief’s message:  Spring Breaks and Building on Community Heart and Vascular Care

This last week saw the start of the March month for many of our community this is an important month and few weeks for clinical care, spring breaks, and of course basketball.  The women’s basketball team rallied past Louisville in overtime to repeat as ACC Champions.  Coach Kara Lawson’s women’s blue devils team is on a hot streak heading into the tournament.  The men’s team beat UNC with a strong defensive presence and now prepare for the ACC and NCAA tournament with lots of eyes on the health of point guard Caleb Foster and big-man Patrick Ngongba.  We will keep our fingers crossed.  Many in the the faculty, fellows, and staff will also have school spring breaks this week and the last week of March into April.  For those who are on Spring Break – we hope you get sometime to share with family and some rest and rejuvination for the upcoming months as we close out the calendar year.  Finally, our teams continue to work together to improve cardiovascular care and we have several stories below of people working together to deliver regional emergency cardiovascular care, specific kudos from patient’s getting care in our system, and the amazing work of our group to continue to get funding to support our research missions.  Just as with basketball, we imagine a spring to the end of the month with many grants, projects, and programs getting launched that could have impact across our groups for years to come.  Thanks to all that are working to help us meet our missions for our patients, trainees, and each other.

Highlights of the week:

International Women’s Day

Today, March 8, is International Women’s Day – a day of global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. First celebrated in 1911, the annual celebration falls during Women’s History Month.

Duke Health is pleased to recognize March as Women’s History Month and to celebrate the many contributions of women throughout our nation’s history and at Duke. Their commitment to excellence and mentorship has significantly impacted our past and continues to shape and inspire our future.

We extend a heartfelt thank you to the talented and dedicated women of Duke Health for the passion and professionalism you bring to work every day. You make Duke one of the best places to receive care, work, and grow.

Throughout this month, we encourage you to celebrate and recognize women’s achievements across the system. These moments of reflection, learning, and gratitude remind us of the ongoing importance of equity, representation, and inclusion in every corner of our institution.

Here are some ways you can join our support of Women’s History Month:

• Send Kudos Kards to the women who brighten your day and inspire you at work.
• Download virtual meeting backgrounds to support this important recognition.
• Read the stories of extraordinary women across the system who continue a legacy of integrity, vision, and purpose.

 

Regional Cardiovascular Summit – Strengthening Collaboration for Improved Patient Care

On February 27 in Durham, healthcare professionals from across the region gathered for the Regional Cardiovascular Summit, a collaborative event focused on improving the care of patients experiencing acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Hosted by Duke Heart & Vascular Services, the half-day summit brought together referring hospitals, EMS agencies, and PCI centers to strengthen regional partnerships and improve coordination of emergency cardiovascular care. Through open discussion and shared learning, participants explored opportunities to enhance communication, streamline patient transfers, and ensure timely access to life-saving cardiac interventions.

Summit Highlights & Impact

• Facilitated meaningful collaboration among EMS leaders, emergency medicine teams, cardiologists, and regional hospital systems.
• Reviewed the current state of emergency cardiovascular care and regional STEMI response processes.
• Presented STEMI case studies from multiple sites to highlight successes and opportunities for improvement.
• Identified key strategies to improve response times, interfacility transfers, and coordination between EMS and hospital teams.

The summit created a valuable forum for healthcare providers to exchange insights and strengthen the systems that support rapid, coordinated cardiac care across the region.

Participating Organizations

Representatives from the following organizations attended the summit:

• Maria Parham Health
• Durham VA Health Care System
• Sovah Health
• UNC Health
• Duke Regional Hospital
• Duke Heart Network
• Caswell County EMS
• Person County EMS
• VA EMS
• Orange County EMS
• Martinsville EMS
• American Heart Association
• Alamance County EMS
• Durham County EMS

Looking Ahead

The collaboration and dialogue from this year’s summit reinforce the importance of strong regional partnerships in delivering timely, high-quality cardiovascular care.

Planning is already underway for the 2027 Regional Cardiovascular Summit, where partners across EMS agencies, hospitals, and health systems will continue working together to advance cardiac emergency care throughout the region.

Outstanding work!

 

New Ranking Highlights NIH’s Impact on Science at Duke SOM

The Duke University School of Medicine received more than $514 million in research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2025, ranking 9th nationally among medical schools, according to new data from the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. In the latest rankings, 11 Duke clinical and basic science departments placed among the top 10 in their fields, with nation-leading programs in surgery and orthopedics. The investment accelerates Duke’s work to advance medical science, improve patient care, and train future biomedical researchers. Learn more here.

 

Support Ramos & Visionaries of the Year Campaign

Please consider supporting our amazing team member, Dayana Ramos, DNP, a critical care nurse practitioner in cardiology (and cancer survivor) during this year’s Visionaries of the Year campaign with Blood Cancer United.

“I’m currently raising funds for this year’s Visionaries of the Year campaign with Blood Cancer United (formerly the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society) as part of Team Don’t Give Up!” said Ramos. “This cause is incredibly personal to me, as a leukemia survivor who recently celebrated five years cancer-free, I know firsthand how critical research funding and patient support truly are.”

The 10-week fundraising competition kicks off on March 9, and her goal is to raise $25,000 to help advance lifesaving treatments and support families facing blood cancer.

Please support Dayana in any way you can, even if only with words of encouragement! Her fundraising page for Blood Cancer United can be found here.

 

 

Ultrasound Vendor Fair, March 17

The Department of Emergency Medicine is hosting their second annual Ultrasound Vendor Fair on March 17 and all are invited to attend, specifically all those who use point of care ultrasound.

This fair will highlight the latest cart-based and handheld technology from a variety of POCUS vendors. It will be an ideal opportunity for hands-on demos of the latest software and hardware offerings from these companies. There will be a small raffle giveaway as well. 

When: Tuesday, March 17^th 

Where: Trent Semans 3025 (Classroom 3) 

When: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Questions? Please reach out to Shawn Sethi, MD at shawn.sethi@duke.edu.

Please stop by at any point! 

 

Kudos to Pagidipati and Jones!

We received a wonderful patient letter this week, shared with us by top leadership at Duke and Duke Health, regarding care received from our Duke Heart & Vascular team:

“Dear President Price and Dr. Owens,

I am writing to express my sincere gratitude for the outstanding care I received at Duke University Hospital from your Cardiology team. From multiple tests to consulting on the best course of action, and the procedure in the Cath lab, my experience reflected an exceptional level of professionalism, coordination, and compassion that speaks volumes about the culture and leadership of your organization.

I would especially like to recognize two physicians whose care made a profound difference for me: Dr. Neha Pagidipati and Dr. William Schuyler Jones. Their clinical expertise, clear communication, and genuine concern for my well-being were extraordinary. At every step, they took the time to explain options, answer questions thoughtfully, and ensure I felt confident and supported. I was impressed by how closely they collaborated and made sure I was aware of all the latest data and technological developments. It is clear that their commitment goes well beyond technical excellence. They exemplify the very best of patient-centered care, collaboration, culture and teamwork. They are a tremendous credit to your institution.

Their support has continued post-procedure and now three weeks out my recovery has been extraordinary. It was everything I was hoped for and more when selecting Duke (over other well-respected institutions) at this critical juncture in my healthcare journey. I look forward to their continued care.

Please share this note and extend my appreciation to them and to the broader care team who supported my treatment and recovery. It is clear you have developed an exceptional patient-centered culture and it is hard to imagine receiving better care anywhere else.

Thank you again for leading an organization that delivers care at such a high standard. In a world where there is controversy around healthcare and politics every day in the news, Duke University stands out as a national treasure where healthcare is delivered in the best interest of patients.” — name withheld for patient privacy.

Just… wow! Way to go, Neha, Schuyler, and all team members!

 

Kudos to Bailey!

We also received a terrific note from Yoo Jin Kim, MD, one of our cardiology fellows, regarding Mallory Bailey:

“I have been on the LVAD service (Heart Failure team) this week and wanted to share a HUGE kudos for Mallory Bailey, PA on the Cardiothoracic Surgery team.

I worked with her closely on our post-LVAD patients and her attention to detail, open communication with our team, and efforts to improve and mobilize patients’ care was incredible. I had an amazing time working with her, and she truly exemplified how important teamwork is to progress patient care. I wanted to share a huge kudos as I truly loved working with her and look forward to working with her again!” – Yoo Jin Kim, MD

Excellent work, Mallory!

 

Brian Gore, HTM Professional of the Month, TechNation

Our very own Brian Gore, an engineering specialist with our invasive labs in Duke Heart & Vascular, was recently nominated for the second year in a row by TechNation magazine for its Humanitarian of the Year award.

He was nominated for his outstanding volunteer work in Honduras and Uganda. Gore is affiliated with the Duke Global Health Institute and has traveled to Kampala, Uganda for neurosurgical missions and Tegucigalpa, Honduras for cardiothoracic surgical missions that provides needed care to patients who would normally have no access to the care provided by these specialized teams. He is also involved with the REMEDY program that collaborates with Duke Health System administrators and staff to promote environmental sustainability at Duke and support Duke’s global health and community service missions by reducing waste and promoting resource sustainability through the recovery and recycling of usable surplus medical supplies. Gore also volunteers with assistance and aid in local communities throughout the Triangle.

In 2024, TechNation Magazine ran a feature about Gore, Shifting Gears: Serving the Underserved. He is featured again this month, in the March 1 issue, as their professional of the month: Professional of the Month: Brian Gore.

Although Brian was not this year’s award winner, he is certainly worthy in our estimation and we are so pleased he is a part of our team. Congratulations, Brian!

 

ACC Scientific Sessions Annual Reception

Please join us on Saturday, March 28 at the Duke Annual Reception at the 2026 ACC Scientific Sessions. We’ll be having an NCAA Elite Eight Watch Party as well… join us from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., CT, in Gravier A & B of the New Orleans Marriott, Warehouse Arts District. For questions about the event, please reach out to Elizabeth.evans@duke.edu or natalie.sayewich@duke.edu.

 

DUHS Updates:

New Paid Parental Leave Policy Now in Effect

Our updated Paid Parental Leave Policy went live on March 1. This enhanced benefit provides eligible team members with dedicated paid time following the birth or adoption of a child. The policy is designed to support families during an important transition and ensure team members have the space they need without added financial stress.

Team members who are planning an upcoming leave or want to understand how the policy applies to them can review the full details on the Human Resources intranet site.

Duke Raises Minimum Wage

This week, Duke announced that it will increase its minimum wage from $18 to $20 per hour, effective July 1, 2026. With this change, our minimum wage will have increased by more than 50 percent over the past decade — making DUHS one of the highest-paying health systems in North Carolina.

DUH Celebrates Milestone Year for Organ Donation

In 2025, Duke University Hospital (DUH) marked a milestone in its commitment to supporting lifesaving organ donation and the families of those who gave the gift of life. The hospital facilitated organ donation for 42 organ donors, the highest number of donors in a year at DUH. From those donors, 98 organs were successfully transplanted, changing the lives of recipients across the country. An additional 73 patients donated tissues. Read more.

Price Reappointed to Third Term as President

The Duke University Board of Trustees has reappointed President Vincent E. Price to a third term beginning July 1, 2027, following a comprehensive administrative review that gathered input from nearly 100 members of the Duke community. 

 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Cardiology Grand Rounds

March 10: Humbling Experiences on the Journey from Academia to Industry with Dean Li, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 or via Zoom.

March 17: M&M ECPR with Dennis Narcisse, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 or via Zoom.

March 24: The Rise of DCD Heart Transplant: Is the DCD Era Meeting Expectations? with Joshua Rushakoff, MD. 5 p.m., DN 2002 or via Zoom.

 

CD Fellows Core Curriculum Conference

March 11: DHP Case Review with Dorothy Avoke. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

March 13: Cath Lab Math with Tom Bashore. Noon, Zoom only.

March 18: HF/TX Case Review with Rebecca Steinberg. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

March 20: AFib 101 with Jonathan Piccini. Noon, Zoom only.

March 25: ECG Review with Neil Freedman. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

March 27: NO CONFERENCE/ACC Annual Sessions   

 

Upcoming CME Activities:

2026 Duke Heart CMEs

The dates for the following 2026 Duke Heart symposia have been set. We will announce others as they are added.

• June 6: Duke Heart Failure Symposium — Course directors are Marat Fudim, Rob Mentz, Richa Agarwal, and Stephanie Barnes. Location: Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC.
• October 30: 18^th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium – 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.

 

Chief’s message:  Beginning of March

Hope everyone had a good weekend for the start of March – a month at Duke synonymous with tournaments and the beginning of Spring.  Below you will see the continued work from our many groups to increase our impact on our community and our scientific mission.  This last week we had an attempt to break the world record for CPR training – with the RACE CARS trial getting 19,000 people trained.  A great turn out with the world record something we will still shoot for.  We also have updates with great work by our departments and school with regards to our NIH funding, and in upcoming weeks our presentations at the upcoming American College of Cardiology meetings at the end of the month.  For those attending the ACC meeting – please note the time and location of DCRI/Duke Heart Reception on Saturday with our research colleagues and partners. Thanks to all the teams working to help make sure we continue to serve our community, our residents/fellows, and each other.

Highlights of the week:

More Than 19K People Trained in Hands-Only CPR

A team led by the Duke Clinical Research Institute’s RACE-CARS Trial this week attempted to set a world record for the number of people trained in hands-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in one day. The goal was to train 30,000 people. Although the event did not set a new world record, participating teams trained more than 19,000 people in how to recognize the signs of cardiac arrest and how to perform hands-only CPR.

EMS agencies from 30 counties across NC participated in the event, which was held on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. Participating counties included Buncombe, Cabarrus, Chatham, Cleveland, Cumberland, Currituck, Davidson, Forsyth, Franklin, Hoke, Lincoln, Madison, McDowell, Mecklenburg, Mitchell, Montgomery, Moore, Nash, Onslow, Orange, Perquimans, Person, Richmond, Robeson, Rowan, Scotland, Stanly, Warren, Washington-Tyrrell, and Wayne.

The RACE-CARS Trial is led by principal investigator Dr. Christopher Granger and co-investigators, Drs. Monique Starks, James Jollis, Sana Al-Khatib. The world-record attempt was spearheaded by Tyler Cope, community coordinator for the trial.

Way to go, team!

 

Duke Surgery Leads AMC Surgery Departments in NIH Funding for Fifth Consecutive Year

The Duke Department of Surgery ranked first in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) among U.S. medical school surgery departments for the fifth straight year in 2025, according to a report compiled by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.

Underscoring Duke Surgery’s standing as a national leader in surgical science, the department received $47.2 million in NIH funding.

“This funding enables us to advance innovative research that seeks to answer some of the world’s most complex biomedical problems, helping to save lives and improve quality of life for countless people,” said Duke Surgery Chair Peter J. Allen, MD. He added, “We’re grateful for our team of phenomenal investigators, surgeon-scientists, research administrators, and staff for their contributions to this accomplishment. I would also like to recognize the leadership of our former Chair, Allan Kirk, MD, PhD, and Vice Chair for Research Shelley Hwang, MD, MPH, whose tireless commitment to the academic mission helped enable our success.”

The Duke University School of Medicine ranked ninth in total NIH funding across all disciplines, with $514.5 million received in 2025.

Congratulations to all!

 

McVeigh Delivers Duke APP Grand Rounds

Todd McVeigh, one of our cardiology APPs, delivered Duke APP Grand Rounds on Thursday, Feb. 19.

The title of his talk was “Outpatient Heart Failure Management at Duke.”

Excellent job, Todd!

 

ACC Scientific Sessions Annual Reception

Please join us on Saturday, March 28 at the Duke Annual Reception at the 2026 ACC Scientific Sessions. We’ll be having an NCAA Elite Eight Watch Party as well… join us from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., CT, in Gravier A & B of the New Orleans Marriott, Warehouse Arts District. For questions about the event, please reach out to Elizabeth.evans@duke.edu or natalie.sayewich@duke.edu.

 

REMINDER: A Duke Guide to Advocacy from Duke Government Relations

The School of Medicine Office of Strategic Communications and Duke Health Government Relations would like to remind you of Duke’s Policies for Political Activity, Engagement with Government Officials, Lobbying, and Voting.

Duke recognizes and supports faculty and staff’s engagement as private citizens in public policy and the political process and does not restrict such interactions. Certain forms of government interaction involving Duke, however, are subject to federal and state regulation, e.g., attempting to influence legislative or executive action; therefore, faculty and staff must be transparent when participating in political activity in a personal capacity.

Employees (faculty and staff) should only use personal e-mail, social media, or other online accounts (and not duke.edu accounts or other Duke electronic resources) to communicate with state and federal policymakers about legislation and legislative proposals or to circulate or distribute petitions and similar material.

When participating individually in political advocacy, faculty and staff must: 

Clearly distinguish individual, personal political activities from your Duke role, including not using Duke resources, e.g., Duke email or Duke electronic resources.

Faculty and staff should use personal e-mail, social media, or other online accounts: 

• to communicate with state and federal policymakers regarding Executive Orders, federal or state legislation/regulations, and regulatory/legislative proposals 
• to author op ed articles 
• to circulate participation in rallies, or similar events 
• to circulate or distribute petitions and similar material 

Faculty and staff should use off-hours or PTO to participate in political activities 

Faculty or staff who are identified (by themselves or with others) using their Duke titles or affiliations must indicate that their comments are purely personal and not made on Duke’s behalf.

• A disclaimer should be added, noting that “titles and affiliations are provided for identification purposes only and that any views expressed by the individual are theirs alone and do not reflect the views of Duke University or any of its constituent institutions. 

 Please reference these resources for additional information: 

• Policies for Political Activity, Engagement with Government Officials, Lobbying, and Voting – Government Relations
• Duke Health Social Media Policy

If you have any questions, please contact govrelations@duke.edu.

 

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

 

CD Fellows Core Curriculum Conference

March 4: ECG Review with Neil Freedman. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

March 6: HF Conference with Jonathan Taylor-Fishwick. Noon, Zoom only.

March 11: DHP Case Review with Dorothy Avoke. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

March 13: Cath Lab Math with Tom Bashore. Noon, Zoom only.

March 18: HF/TX Case Review with Rebecca Steinberg. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

March 20: AFib 101 with Jonathan Piccini. Noon, Zoom only.

March 25: ECG Review with Neil Freedman. Noon, DMP 7E39 and via Zoom.

March 27: NO CONFERENCE/ACC Annual Sessions   

 

Upcoming CME Activities:

2026 Duke Heart CMEs

The dates for the following 2026 Duke Heart symposia have been set. We will announce others as they are added.

• June 6: Duke Heart Failure Symposium — Course directors are Marat Fudim, Rob Mentz, Richa Agarwal, and Stephanie Barnes. Location: Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC.
• October 30: 18^th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium – 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: 

February 13 — Brittany Zwischenberger

Memesita

Women & Heart Surgery: Higher Death Risk Than Men – Study

February 23 — Robert Califf

The Star

AI is making doctors answer a question: What are they really good for?