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 17th
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: 18th 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.
