Chief’s message:
Hope you all are having a good weekend. As we get near the end of the year – this week we saw many continued events that point towards our future care. We were able to present some of our innovations and work to the Duke Board of Visitors group, we had faculty and fellows presenting at the TCT (Trans-Catheter-Therapeutics) meeting, and our teams have continued to work on areas where we can improve care with quality rounds and innovations in the procedures we do.
Updates and Highlights of the week:
Innovation in Duke Heart
We are excited to note that Jeff Gaca and Andrew Wang earlier this week accomplished the first percutaneous tricuspid valve replacement at Duke. The patient has recovered uneventful. These two individuals along with the entire structural heart team including our heart center staff, nurses, and administrative leaders have driven innovation in the transcatheter valve space. This work serves as an example of the type of innovation we are excited foster and committed to across the entire cardiovascular service line.
In Memoriam: E. Harvey Estes, Jr., MD
Harvey Estes, Jr., MD, a pioneering physician, educator, and leader whose contributions to Duke have left an enduring legacy, passed away on October 16, 2025, after having celebrated his 100th birthday this past May.
Estes joined Duke’s faculty as a cardiologist in 1956 and served for a decade in the Department of Medicine before being named the founding chair of the newly created Department of Community Health Sciences. Under his leadership, the department (later renamed Community and Family Medicine, then Family Medicine and Community Health) became a national model for interdisciplinary care and community-focused health initiatives. In 1967, he assumed responsibility for the Physician Assistant Program — founded by his mentor Eugene Stead, MD, helping to shape a profession that has transformed healthcare delivery across the country.
“Estes was instrumental in shaping the history and identity of the Duke University School of Medicine. His vision and leadership helped define Duke’s commitment to community-based care, interdisciplinary education, and innovation in health professions training,” said Mary E. Klotman, MD, executive vice president for health affairs at Duke University and dean of the Duke University School of Medicine, in an announcement on Tuesday.
Estes was deeply passionate about family medicine and preventive care. In the 1970s, he turned his focus to creating a family medicine residency program and building coalitions to place family physicians, PAs, and nurse practitioners in underserved communities. Even after stepping down as department chair in 1985, he continued to lead the family medicine and geriatrics divisions until his retirement in 1990.
Estes’s influence also extended far beyond Duke. He authored more than 100 scientific articles and co-authored a book, and he later served as the founding director of the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) Foundation’s Community Practitioner Program. He held leadership roles in the NCMS and the NC Institute of Medicine, and he served nationally as chair of the American Medical Association’s Council on Scientific Affairs, president of the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine, and chair of the Institute of Medicine’s Steering Committee for Primary Health Care Workforce Policy.
A full obituary for Dr. Estes can be found on the Hall Wynne site. Our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.
In lieu of flowers, his family has requested donations in his memory be made to Duke University in honor of the PA Program General Scholarship Fund.
Lung Transplant Team Has Milestone Week
Congratulations to our entire lung transplant team at Duke! The team recently completed nine lung transplants in seven days – a program record – and all patients are doing well.
“This represents an incredible devotion to our patients, said Carmelo Milano, MD, Joseph and Dorothy Beard Professor of Surgery and division chief of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at Duke. “There are few institutions in the world that can achieve such a volume. Please congratulate the members of this team when you see them.”
Duke surgeons have performed more than 2,700 lung transplants since our program launched in 1992, making ours one of the largest programs in the U.S. Additionally, our multidisciplinary faculty researchers have made significant contributions to the field of lung transplantation, notably our understanding of risk factors for chronic rejection, the impact of cytomegalovirus infection and gastroesophageal reflux on lung transplant outcomes, and the various forms of chronic lung allograft dysfunction.
“Nine transplants in one week is only possible through the dedication of nursing, anesthesia, critical care, transplant pulmonology and surgery,” said Jacob Klapper, MD, associate professor of surgery and lung transplant surgeon. “This collective spirit has always made Duke special in the past and continues to this day.”
Incredible work!
Celebrating Respiratory Therapists
National Respiratory Care Week was celebrated this past week (Oct. 19-25) with a number of activities across Duke to help recognize our respiratory care staff. Our RCS team is an amazing and vital part of the care we provide throughout Duke Heart & Vascular services!
Shown here are two awards that were presented at Duke University Hospital this week – Paul Robbins, RRT, RCP was awarded the Huston R. Anderson Award in Leadership Excellence and Misty Swanger, BSRT, RRT, RCP was awarded Adult Respiratory Care Services Respiratory Therapist of the Year Award.
Also shown are team members prepping treats for our RCS staff. Congratulations, Paul and Misty!
Celebrating Annette Moore; Retiring Nov. 4
With deep gratitude, we announce the retirement of Annette Moore, HCA/NM, a dedicated and skilled registered nurse and manager, who has been an integral part of the Duke team for 40 years. Annette’s commitment to excellence and her unwavering dedication to patient care have made a significant impact on our organization.
Annette began her career with us in 1985 after earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Over the years, she has held various roles in Cardiology, including Staff Nurse, Charge Nurse, Nurse Manager, and Health Center Administrator demonstrating exceptional leadership and management skills. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards, including the Friends of Nursing Award and the Nan and Hugh Cullman Heart Center Award for Excellence in Nursing.
Throughout her career at Duke, Annette’s caring demeanor and patient first focus have truly been her most influential accomplishment. She has been instrumental in the development and implementation of clinical services, staff training, and care design. She has managed multiple teams, ensuring the highest standards of patient care and compliance with regulatory requirements.
As Annette embarks on this new chapter of her life, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for her years of service and wish her all the best in her retirement. Her presence will be greatly missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire us all.
Annette, thank you for all your efforts, kindness, and mentorship over the years!
Please join us in celebrating Annette’s remarkable career and wishing her a happy and fulfilling retirement! Her last day with us will be November 3rd.
Kudos to Kelly!
Joe Kelly, director of Duke Heart & Vascular Informatics and Center of Excellence, received a Kudos this week for his efforts in helping the team at Lake Norman during their go-live.
“Joe shared a URL for MAP4 this morning that is a complete game-changer for Case Management and Utilization Management at DHLN. We were in a pickle where we needed MAP4 documentation to be able to plan discharges and the app had disappeared off of our CHS Citrix. He saved the day. Thank you, Joseph!” – Megan Warren
Jill Engel, service line VP for Heart & Vascular added, “I have heard from numerous people you have been invaluable during their go live. Thanks for everything you do for our patients and teams!”
Way to go, Joe!
Shout-out to Rivera and Goodwin
We received a terrific shout-out this week for Danny Rivera, RCS, ACS, echocardiographer, and for Nate Goodwin, interventional cardiology fellow, this week from Schuyler Jones as well as Sreekanth Vemulapalli regarding a challenging case they were on.
“Danny Rivera and Nate Goodwin did such an incredibly good job of echo imaging, planning/communication, and echo-guided pericardiocentesis in the MICU room. I was really impressed-which doesn’t happen that much. Wanted to give kudos to them both.” — Schuyler Jones, MD
“A good example of great teamwork between a great interventional attending, a great interventional fellow, and a great sonographer…” — Sreekanth Vemulapalli, MD
Excellent work, Danny and Nate!
Duke Heart & Vascular Welcomes Newest Family Member
Congratulations to Aarti Thakkar, MD and Eric Xie, MD, two of our cardiovascular disease fellows, on the birth of their daughter, Asha! She arrived just after Noon on Oct. 21, weighing in at 7 lbs 13 oz. We are so happy for you!
Upcoming Events & Opportunities
November 18: Deadline for flu vaccination compliance.
AHA.25 Duke Annual Reception
The annual Duke reception at the upcoming American Heart Association Annual Scientific Sessions will be held on Nov. 8. (Please see email from DCRI for your official invitation.)
The upcoming Sessions will be held Nov. 7-10, 2025, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. This year’s theme is The Future of Cardiovascular Science Starts Here.
We look forward to seeing you!
Reminder: Please let Tracey Koepke know if you are making a presentation at Sessions so that she can plan to include your findings in Pulse. Thank you!
Cardiology Grand Rounds
Oct. 28: The Duke STRONGER Prehabilitation and Rehabilitation Service: The Future of Personalized Prehab/Rehab for the Cardiac and Transplant Patient with Paul Wischmeyer. 5 p.m., DN 2002 and.
Nov. 4: Building a sustainable acute cardiovascular care program in western Kenya, the journey and lessons learned with Felix Ayub Barasa. 5 p.m., DN 2002 and via Zoom.
Medicine Grand Rounds
Oct. 31: Contemporary Issues in Transplant Allocation and Procurement with Chet Patel, Adam DeVore, Matt Ellis, John Reynolds, Lindsay King. 8 a.m., Duke South Amphitheater or 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.
Oct. 30: Cardiovascular Imaging in Pregnancy with Nish Shivakumar
Nov. 6: Multi-Modality Imaging for Infiltrative Disease with Hubie Haywood
Nov. 13: Topic TBD with Jemi Gelani
Nov. 20: Multi-Modality Imaging for LVH with Mugdha Joshi
Nov. 27: NO CONFERENCE (Thanksgiving)
Dec. 4: Echo Imaging to Optimize Cardiac Resynchronization Pacing with Josh Sink
Dec. 11: RV Failure or Pericardial Disease TBD with Cosette Champion
Dec. 18: TBD with Vincent Delgado
Dec. 25: NO CONFERENCE (Christmas)
CME Activities:
17th Annual NC RTP Pulmonary Hypertension Symposium — October 31
This symposium will explore optimal diagnostic strategies for treating patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension, treatment selection, and timely referrals to specialized PH centers. Clinically challenging presentations, including CTD-PAH, CPPC PH, CTEPH, PH associated with ILD, COPD, portopulmonary hypertension, and PH in end-stage renal disease, will be addressed — with a focus on frontline providers — through interactive lectures and robust case-based discussions. Durham Convention Center. Register here.
Duke Cardiovascular MR Practicum & Board Review – December 8-12
The Fall 2025 course will be held December 8-12 in the Penn Pavilion at Duke University. For more information, contact Michele Parker. The full course brochure and registration link are available here.
Community Events:
Dr. Thomas Bashore Collection Opening – October 29
The collection opening celebration is scheduled for October 29 at 4:30 p.m. in the Holsti Anderson Family Assembly Room, Room 153, Rubenstein Library, Duke University, West Campus.
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:
October 17 — Duke University Hospital
tctMD
Cardiac Transplant in Midst of ‘Revolution,’ but Public Trust Is Fragile
October 20 — Marat Fudim
Cardio Care Today
SCD-PROTECT: Wearable Defibrillators Key in First Months After Heart Failure Diagnosis
October 21 — Kristie Barazsu
Becker’s Health IT
GE HealthCare collaborates with 2 health systems on AI
October 22 — Renato Lopes
NIH Pragmatic Trials Collaboratory
Rethinking Clinical Trials GR–Studying Neglected Diseases: Insights From the PARACHUTE-HF Trial
October 23 — Jennifer Rymer
Medscape
Understanding the Real Impact of Time Changes
October 23 — Duke Health
Popwire
The 10 Medical Breakthroughs You’ll See In the Next 15 Years (#6)
