Chief’s message: Improving CV Care in North Carolina
A proud week for Duke Heart. Duke University Hospital and our partners across the state earned the AHA’s 2026 Mission: Lifeline® Systems of Care Regional Award for STEMI care — recognition that means a lot given that our own Chris Granger and Jimmy Jollis and many others built the RACE program here in 2005, the model that became Mission: Lifeline nationally. Two decades later, that collaborative spirit between hospitals and EMS across North Carolina is still delivering results. Duke University Hospital also earned the AHA’s Commitment to Quality Award, one of only 222 hospitals nationwide to hit Silver-level or higher across at least three Get With The Guidelines® programs — a real marker of consistency, not a single good quarter. And we’re sending off Paige Rossman, PA-C, who retired this week after 32 years caring for Duke Heart patients since 1994. Three decades of steady, compassionate care and mentoring the next generation of APPs — that’s a legacy. Congratulations and thank you, Paige. As is the case every academic year – we have entered August and will be introducing our new fellows and residents to our community. Finally – that American Heart Association work will be highlighted in coming weeks as we get ready for the local Heart Walk – so get your teams registered and ready for this year.
Highlights of the week:
North Carolina STEMI System Earns Mission: Lifeline Regional Award
Congratulations to Duke University Hospital and its partners across North Carolina on earning the American Heart Association’s (AHA) 2026 Mission: Lifeline® Systems of Care Regional Award.
The recognition honors regional collaboration among hospitals, EMS agencies, and other healthcare partners to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care for patients experiencing ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), one of the most serious types of heart attacks. The award recognizes the region’s collective achievement in meeting AHA Get With The Guidelines®–Coronary Artery Disease quality standards.
The recognition is especially meaningful for Duke. The AHA’s national Mission: Lifeline initiative grew from the Regional Approach to Cardiovascular Emergencies (RACE) program, developed at Duke in 2005 by cardiologists Christopher Granger, MD, and James Jollis, MD. The pioneering North Carolina program became the model for Mission: Lifeline, transforming how hospitals, EMS agencies, and healthcare systems coordinate heart attack care across the country. Today’s recognition reflects the continued strength of that collaborative approach across North Carolina.
Congratulations to everyone across Duke and our regional partners whose continued commitment to collaboration and quality improvement made this recognition possible. Way to go!
Duke University Hospital Earns AHA Commitment to Quality Award
Congratulations to Duke University Hospital for earning the American Heart Association’s (AHA) Commitment to Quality Award, a national recognition introduced just last year to honor hospitals that demonstrate sustained excellence across multiple Get With The Guidelines® quality programs.
To receive the award, hospitals must achieve Silver level recognition or higher in at least three Get With The Guidelines programs. Only 222 hospitals nationwide earned the distinction this year, recognizing Duke’s ongoing commitment to delivering evidence-based, high-quality cardiovascular care.
Congratulations, everyone!
Rossman Retires After 32 Years of Caring for Duke Heart Patients
Congratulations to Paige Rossman, PA-C, who retired July 31 after an extraordinary 32-year career at Duke.
After graduating from Duke’s Physician Assistant Program in 1994, Paige began her career at Duke and made the institution her professional home for more than three decades. Throughout her career in cardiology, she provided compassionate care to patients while earning the respect of colleagues and helping educate the next generation of advanced practice providers.
“Her commitment, expertise, and steady presence have touched countless lives and helped shape the practice and culture of our team,” said Diane Sauro, MSN, ANP, NEA-BC, director of advanced practice for the Duke Heart Center. “We are deeply grateful for her many years of service and wish her all the best as she begins this well-deserved new chapter.”
Please join us in thanking Paige for her outstanding contributions to Duke and the Duke Heart Center and congratulating her on a remarkable career. We wish her every happiness in retirement!
DUHS Updates:
Duncan Named Sr. Administrative Leader for Musculoskeletal & Rehabilitation
Duke Health leaders announced yesterday that James Duncan, DPT, MBA, has been named senior administrative leader for Duke’s Musculoskeletal & Rehabilitation Service Line and executive administrative leader for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery.
Duncan joins Duke Health from Penn Medicine, where he served as chief operating officer for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery. In his new role, he will partner with physicians and executive leaders to advance the service line’s strategic priorities, strengthen operational excellence, and support Duke’s clinical, research, and educational missions across musculoskeletal care. He will work closely with Tyler S. Pidgeon, MD, who was recently named physician vice president for the Musculoskeletal & Rehabilitation Service Line, to help lead the service line’s continued growth and integration across Duke Health.
Congratulations, James!
Pidgeon Named Physician VP for Musculoskeletal & Rehabilitation
Duke Health leaders recently announced that Tyler S. Pidgeon, MD, has been appointed physician vice president for Duke’s Musculoskeletal & Rehabilitation Service Line, effective Aug. 1.
A hand, upper extremity, and microvascular surgeon, Pidgeon joined the Duke faculty in 2018 after completing fellowship training at Duke and has served as clinical associate vice chair for the Department of Orthopedic Surgery since 2024. In his new role, he will provide physician leadership for the Musculoskeletal & Rehabilitation Service Line, partnering with clinical, operational, and executive leaders to advance strategic priorities and strengthen patient care across the service line.
Congratulations, Tyler!
Upcoming CME Events & Opportunities
Cardiology Grand Rounds
CGRs have concluded for the summer. We will return in the fall! Meanwhile, please enjoy past recordings.
All Duke CGR Recordings (except for those containing PHI) can be found on Duke Warpwire by year: 2026, 2025, 2024. Questions about recordings? Contact Tracey Koepke.
2026 Symposia
The dates for the following 2026 Duke Heart symposia have been set. We will announce others as they are added.
- September 26: Duke Case-Based Multimodality Imaging Symposium – Registration is now open. Course directors are Sreekanth Vemulapalli and Anita Kelsey. Location: Trent Semans Center, Great Hall.
- October 30: 18th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Vascular Symposium – Course directors are Terry Fortin, Sudar Rajagopal, and Jimmy Ford. Location: Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC.
- January 9: Duke EP Symposium. Course director is Jon Piccini. Location: JB Duke Hotel.
Please save the dates!
Hitting with Heart Softball Tournament
The 10th Annual Hitting with Heart Softball tournament will be held on Saturday, August 22 at Valley Springs Park, 3805 Valley Springs Road, in Durham. The tournament raises funds that will, in part, support the American Heart Association’s 2026 Triangle Heart Walk.
Triangle Heart Walk
The American Heart Association’s 2026 Triangle Heart Walk will take place on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek, 3801 Rock Quarry Road, Raleigh.
The Walk is expected to start around 9:30 a.m., but that may change. Stay tuned for a more formal announcement from the AHA. Meanwhile, registration for team captains and walkers is open!
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.
