Duke Heart Pulse — August 25, 2024 – The Pulse

Chief’s message: Pipelines and the Next Generation of CV Leaders

Increasingly in medicine, especially academic medicine, there is an urgent need to keep and attract the best and brightest minds. This is likely in all professional fields, but in a field where people spend so much of their time training to become some of the most qualified, experienced professionals, the ability to have these individuals meaningful impact our future will be critical for our continued success. In fact, as health systems and universities, like all organizations, work through the ups and downs of changing economies and healthcare finances, finding ways to support and engage people in the clinical and academic mission as lifelong careers will be our highest priority. We are blessed in Duke Heart in that we have many such leaders in our faculty and leadership the help exemplify our goals for patient care, discovery, and training. We will be working to highlight our cross cutting programs, see the Sonography School Graduation and CVRC summer research programs for future scientists in this weeks edition, along with the fellows and faculty that continue to strive and accomplish our mission. We appreciate all of you who support our faculty and trainees.

In the upcoming weeks we will have some busy times and important updates. This next weekend will have the European Society of Cardiology meeting with several cardiovascular presentations by our faculty, and the following week we will have the AHA Triangle Heart Walk. We will spend the upcoming weeks providing updates on these events and time highlighting all the new faculty joining our team.

Highlights of the week:

Regan Secures NHLBI K38 Award to Study CHIP

Congratulations to Duke cardiology fellow Jessica Regan! We learned this week that she has been awarded a K38 award from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to study clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) in cardiovascular disease.

CHIP is the age-related presence of expanded somatic clones in hematopoietic stem cells and represents a hyperinflammatory state associated with cardiovascular disease. Regan plans to test CHIP and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) associations in samples from the STRRIDE and HF-ACTION cohorts.

“We hope to determine if CHIP is associated with impaired CRF, a marker of poor CV outcomes and if CHIP can predict heterogeneity in response to exercise training,” Regan says. “Additionally, we will test associations of CHIP and targeted metabolomics data to determine if dysregulated metabolism mediates the relationship between CHIP and impaired CRF.”

Regan hopes this work will identify CHIP as a novel risk marker for impaired CRF and that they will uncover dysregulated metabolic pathways that may give insight into future therapeutic targets for patients with CHIP.

More broadly, she says, “I hope to treat patients with CHIP and cardiometabolic disease and discover ways to improve cardiovascular outcomes.”

Regan became interested in the role of genetics in cardiovascular disease (CVD) as a sophomore undergraduate student at the University of Arizona while studying sarcomeric mutations in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). As a medical student, she learned more about the role of inflammation in CVD. As an internal medicine resident in 2018, learning about the intersection of CHIP, inflammation and CVD piqued her interest in this space and, she says, felt like a perfect intersection with her prior work.

The two-year award for Regan’s project, Age-Related Clonal Hematopoiesis of Indeterminate Potential (CHIP) in Exercise Responsiveness will begin Sept. 1.

Congratulations, Jessica!

Cardiac Sonography Graduation Held this weekend

Four years ago in the midst of COVID-19, we had Anita Kelsey and Richie Palma start the cardiac sonographer school after lots of work and support from the SOM and Health system to get this program going. This Saturday we held the annual graduation that helps train and provide world-class cardiac sonographers for our health system and many others around the country. Joe Kisslo provided some words on lifelong learning, and we had awards for the best instructors along with national awards and recognitions for our graduates. In the upcoming week we will highlight some of these individuals – but wanted to ensure we shared some of the photos from this weekends event.

Shah to Kick Off ‘Before They Were Stars’ Forum

Svati Shah, MD, MHS, Ursula Geller Distinguished Professor of Research in Cardiovascular Diseases, will be the featured speaker on Sept. 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. as the Department of Medicine kicks off their ‘Before they were Stars’ series for 2024-2025.

Shah will share her story as a world-renowned researcher, educator, and clinician. The series is open to all DOM faculty and trainees. Light food and refreshments will be served. RSVP to Pamela Williams, senior program coordinator, by August 30.

Noon Conference Hits a High Note with Dr. Kate Lee’s Music Therapy Performance

When Senior Resident Kate E. Lee, MD, MS, picked up a flute for the first time in third grade, she never imagined that one day as a physician she would use it as a therapeutic tool to soothe critically ill ICU patients waiting for heart transplants.

In her recent Senior Associate Resident (SAR) Noon Conference presentation, “Music for Healing,” Dr. Lee’s out-of-the-box topic resonated with all those in attendance—along with each bright note she coaxed from her flute.

“I play music but I don’t think music therapy research is something that comes up often in our rounds in the hospital,” said Dr. Lee, her nimble fingers dancing over the keys in a blur as she warmed up to perform. “The hospital can be a very difficult place, stark and sterile, but when you are able to bring a little piece of your outside life and share that with patients and staff, it makes for a very unique, whimsical bonding experience. I’ve had some of my best patient-doctor interactions from that.”

This story was published last week on the Dept. of Medicine website. To read this story in its entirety, click here.

Empowering Future Scientists: CVRC Summer Programs Foster Research and Confidence

The following undergraduate perspective article was written by Duke Heart/CVRC summer intern, Charity Smith, who was participating in the Science Communicators of North Carolina (SCONC) Summer Internship Program.

On May 20^th, 2024, twelve students entered the doors of Duke’s Cardiovascular Research Center (CVRC) open to exploring cardiovascular research through the lens of a physician-scientist. Students got the unique opportunity to see how research that can ultimately affect patients starts in the laboratories of Duke’s physician-scientists. It puts everything within perspective being able to see how research begins its journey toward the patients you hope to treat.

“Duke is an incredible place… there’s not another group where you can walk around and there’s two dozen labs all in the same building that share equipment, and most of them are run by physician-scientists who see patients. That is special, and it means better science for us — science that can reach the bedside,” says Andrew Landstrom, MD, PhD, a pediatric cardiologist and a principle investigator with the CVRC who worked with undergraduates this summer.

This motivation and experience are seen throughout their astounding projects that were cultivated from mentorship and diligence. After they each presented their research to the CVRC faculty and staff, undergraduates left feeling supported, career-driven, and proud of their independent research work.

Duke Cardiovascular Research Center offers two summer internship programs for undergraduate students over the course of ten weeks: the Cardiovascular Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) and the Supporting Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE).

CURE Program

The Cardiovascular Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) is an Edna and Fred L. Mandel Jr. Foundation-funded program for Duke undergraduate students who want to further enrich their knowledge and skill set at the CVRC. The program is only for Duke undergraduate students who want to focus on their independent research with their CVRC primary faculty member. The goal is to foster an environment where students can hone in on their unique research projects, network, and be with peers along the same pathway. At the end of the program, students present their work to the CVRC faculty and staff.

SURE Program

The Supporting Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) is an American Heart Association (AHA) funded program for undergraduate students from underrepresented communities pursuing cardiovascular research. Each intern will be assigned a CVRC primary faculty member based on their research interests. Throughout the program, there are multiple enrichment and networking events that allow the students to gain access to the CVRC mentorship, and expertise from various physician-scientists, and connect with peers. At the end of the program, students present their work to the CVRC faculty and staff and at a virtual AHA symposium for SURE students at multiple institutions across the nation.

Why do Summer Research at the CVRC?

The CVRC is unique due to the center’s leading physician-scientists who are more than willing to provide mentorship to the next generation. Sudarshan Rajagopal, MD, PhD, associate professor of medicine in cardiology and co-director of the Duke Pulmonary Vascular Disease Center remarked on his time as a mentor and director of the SURE program:

“It’s important to provide guidance to folks into different career options. There’s almost too much information now. It’s saturated with the internet and social media. At the end of the day, what really needs to guide people is their experience and their personal experience in a particular area. That’s what our goal is here — to provide undergraduate students with that experience to see what it looks like to work in a lab.”

“It’s great when someone has this experience and they realize they want to have a career in medicine or research, Rajagopal adds. “It’s also good when someone goes through this experience and says, ‘This isn’t for me,’ because regardless, it will help them on their path.”

Jor’Dan Whitt, undergraduate researcher with CVRC summer program

Students, in turn, benefitted from the expertise of the CVRC faculty mentors. This year’s participants say they found the internship to be enriching, helping them bridge the gap between the classroom and research through developing their own research projects, along with recognizing and coping with their imposter syndrome. In an interview, Jor’Dan Whitt, a rising junior at North Carolina Agriculture & Technical State University (NC A&T) a part of the SURE program, mentioned her feelings of overcoming imposter syndrome for the first time:

“To be honest, I didn’t know what imposter syndrome was until recently…. NC A&T had these speakers that came in that talked about imposter syndrome… I’ve never been in certain spaces before to feel that way, and when I came into the internship, I definitely felt that way. I felt like I didn’t deserve to be here, and I’m in a space where people were so much more educated than me. I have had moments like yesterday where people were like, ‘Wow you’ve really taught me something new.’ It’s like, oh I belong here.”

These summer programs not only help students develop research skills but allow them to be more confident in who they are in spaces where their brilliant minds can be explored.

Additional cardiology faculty members involved with the CVRC summer undergraduate programs are Chris Holley, MD, PhD, and Svati Shah, MD, MHS.

For more information about the SURE or CURE program, visit the Duke Cardiovascular Research Center Website under Cardiovascular Undergraduate Research Experience. For any additional questions or comments, please contact CVRC executive director Maria Rapoza, PhD or Cheryl Woodard, program coordinator for the CVRC.

Updated: Heart Walk 2024 – Less Than a Month Away!

The Triangle chapter of the American Heart Association is currently accepting registrations for volunteers who would like to help out at the Walk – if you or anyone you know is interested please check out the online form located here. Duke volunteers who register using their Duke email address can be stationed at the Kids Zone, which Duke Heart is proudly sponsoring this year.

Additionally, Walker recruitment and fundraising are still underway. We are just a few weeks out from the event! The 2024 Triangle Heart Walk is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 8 at PNC Arena. Please consider joining us – it is not too late!

Earlier start time! Please note the Walk will take place earlier this year – we’re kicking things off at 9 a.m. when all festivities will open to teams and other supporters. The walk itself will take place at 10:30 a.m.

Join Manesh Patel’s team: Duke Heart and Sole or start your own team under “Duke Heart & Vascular”. We want to have a huge team representing Duke Heart this year to celebrate not only the AHA’s Centennial but Duke University’s 100^th birthday. Please join us!

Register Here!

To sign up as a Coach, click the button above and on the AHA site, choose the red “Create a Team” button. Walkers can also sign up and join teams on the same site by clicking the red “Join a Team” button.

Let’s come together to make this our best year yet and demonstrate our unwavering dedication to cardiovascular health. Together, we can make a significant impact and pave the way for a healthier future.

The 2024 Heart Walk will be a terrific event and a wonderful way to support our cardiovascular patients. Thanks to all who are participating!

New to NC? Register to Vote!

Are you new to North Carolina, or have you moved to the Triangle area from elsewhere in the state? Don’t forget to register to vote!

Find all the information you need about registering to vote and voting in upcoming elections at these websites:

Thank you!

DUHS Leadership Announcement

Kelly Sullivan, DNP, RN, NE-BC has been named Vice President of Nursing and Patient Care Services, Ambulatory for Duke University Health System. Kelly brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of leadership in nursing and healthcare management. In this role, Kelly will report to Terry McDonnell, DNP, RN, ACNP-BC, Chief Nursing Executive and Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services for DUHS.

Kelly has been an integral part of Duke Primary Care since 2014, where she has held various leadership roles, including Associate Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Nursing and Patient Care Services. Her dedication to improving healthcare delivery and processes, coupled with her dynamic leadership skills, has significantly contributed to DPC operations.

In her new role, Kelly will be working to continue improving our ability to serve the growing communities across the ambulatory platform, including DHIP, DPC, and Hospital-Based Clinics. She will work in partnership with medical leadership, operations, and human resources to develop the patient care services staff of the future and system standards that meet the unique needs of Ambulatory Care. This work supports our vision and strategic plan to better align across the health system to meet the needs of our people — excellent physicians, APPs, clinical staff, and team members — in the ever-growing and increasingly complex and diverse ambulatory environment. This role will help us continue to improve access for the communities we serve and to grow Duke Health as the preferred place to receive care in our region.

2024 Flu Campaign

The 2024 Duke Flu Campaign launches on Thursday, Sept. 19. Deadline for immunization compliance: October 29 at 10 a.m.

DUHS Flu Ordering Survey Link (peer to peer)
Access to OESO Vaccination Report: cachafeiro@duke.edu
Questions? StopTheFlu@duke.edu

2024 Annual Stead Tread 5K

Join the Duke Department of Medicine Internal Medicine Residency Program on Saturday, September 21 at 9 a.m. for the annual Stead Tread 5K Run/Walk, held at Solite Park, 4704 Fayetteville Rd, Durham. All proceeds will benefit the Lincoln Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of medically underserved patients in Durham.

The event draws 300+ participants annually and is named in honor of former Dept. of Medicine Chairman Dr. Eugene Stead (1947-1967), and his legacy of community service and contributions to the Duke and Durham communities.

It’s A Family Affair!

The event is open to the entire family! Pets and strollers are welcome on the course. There are options to participate with or without official chip timing.

Entry Fees

For participants 13 and older, registration is $35 per person. For Lincoln patients and children 12 years and younger, registration is free.

Deadlines

Sign up by Friday, September 1 and you are guaranteed to receive a t-shirt. After September 1, t-shirt size and availability are not guaranteed.

Bragging Rights?

Of course! Only chip-timed participants will be eligible for awards including top 3 overall, fastest Duke Internal Medicine resident, fastest faculty, fastest stroller, fastest pet, and so many more.

Recognition will also be given to the Medicine Division or non-Medicine Department with the most participants. Anyone ready to take the trophy from Dermatology?

Register and/or Donate

Visit steadtread.org to register. Can’t join us on September 21? Stead Tread also accepts individual and corporate donations of any amount (steadtread.org/donate). Contributions of $90 or greater are recognized on our website and at the event.

Questions?

For questions or additional information, contact Caroline Sloan, MD, assistant professor, Division of General Internal Medicine.

Upcoming Events & Opportunities

Cardiology Grand Rounds

Our regular CGR season has ended. We will resume after Labor Day. All Duke Cardiology Grand Rounds recordings are housed on Warpwire. To access recordings please visit:

2024 CGR Recordings

NET ID and password are required. Enjoy!

CD Fellows Core Curriculum Conference

Aug. 28: Post Arrest Care with Rob Harrison. Noon, 2W96.

Aug. 30: Fellows Forum with Paula Rambarat. Noon, via Zoom.

Sept. 4: NO CONFERENCE. Interview Day.

Sept. 6: Hemorrhagic Shock Management with Nazish Hashmi. Noon, via Zoom.

Catalyzing Climate Connections: Researcher Forum

Date: Thursday, October 10, 2024

Time: 3:30-6:30 p.m.

Venue: Great Hall, Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans Center for Health Education

Please register soon. Questions? Contact Blake Tedder.

The Office of Climate & Sustainability and the Climate Commitment Advisory Council invites the Duke research community to mark calendars for the Catalyzing Climate Connections Researcher Forum, a dynamic three-hour event designed to spark creativity and collaboration among Duke’s climate researchers and those interested in linking their research into the climate space. This forum will feature moderated panel conversations that explore broad climate research themes from multiple disciplinary perspectives.

Attendees will also participate in engaging table conversations, offering the opportunity for deeper discussions and networking. With refreshments provided, there will be ample time for informal interactions and idea exchanges.

Who Should Attend:

Faculty, postdocs, and graduate students from all university schools and units
Researchers and staff interested in expanding their research into the climate space.

Goals of the Event:

Foster relationships and connectivity among Duke researchers.
Inspire fresh ideas and creativity in addressing climate change.
Spark new lines of research by emphasizing idea generation over specific expertise.
Facilitate connections between climate and health researchers.

Why Attend?

This forum is a unique opportunity to build connections, inspire new lines of research, and effectively address the challenges of climate change. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this exciting event!

New Faculty Orientation

October 22 & 23: 2024 School of Medicine Academic New Faculty Orientation, Trent Semans Center. Registration is required. Questions? Contact the SOM Office for Faculty at facdev@dm.duke.edu.

All faculty hired in the past three years are welcome to attend. While content specifically targets newer faculty, many topics are applicable to all faculty regardless of career stage.

Duke Heart Fall 2024 CME Courses

The following symposia will be held this fall:

October 12: Duke Cardiac Imaging Symposium at Trent Semans Center, 7:55 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Course directors are Drs. Sreekanth Vemulapalli and Anita Kelsey.

November 1: the 16th Annual NC Research Triangle Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium at Durham Convention Center, 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Course directors are Dr. Terry Fortin and Dr. Jimmy Ford (of UNC).

Registration has recently opened for our Nov. 1 event, indicated by the links above. Questions? Contact Christy Darnell.

Have news to share?

If you have news to share with the Pulse readership 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 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:

August 19 — Monique Starks

Daily Montanan

Rescue from above: How drones may narrow emergency response times

August 19 — Daniel Edmonston (DCRI)

tctMD

Both SGLT2 and GLP-1 Drugs Help Heart and Kidneys in Type 2 Diabetes

August 20 — Robert Mentz

Cardio Nerds podcast

(Episode 388) Ironing out the Data: Iron Deficiency in Heart Failure with Dr. Robert Mentz

August 20 — Leanna Ross

The Financial Express (India)