Cardiology Launches 2 New Fellowships, More Sarver Grants, Honors Announced

Cover of summer issue of UA Sarver Heart Center NewsletterThe following are synopses of articles that appeared in the latest issue of the UA Sarver Heart Center Newsletter:

UA Division of Cardiology Receives Accreditation for New Fellowships

The UA College of Medicine - Tucson Division of Cardiology recently received accreditation for a subspecialty fellowship for advanced heart failure, heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support for the current academic year, 2017-18.

Mathew Hutchinson, MDAnother new program, the Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship, will begin in 2018-19. This fellowship will be led by Mathew Hutchinson, MD, professor of medicine, UA Sarver Heart Center member and director of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Program.

Both are one-year programs for fellows who have completed the Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship.

The Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship Program is led by Jennifer Cook, MD, associate professor of medicine and medical director of the Advanced Heart Failure, Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support Program.

Jennifer L. Cook, MD“The Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology Fellowship is an additional one-year program devoted to heart failure and transplant medicine for cardiologists who already have completed three years of training in general cardiology. The clinical rotations provide broad exposure to medical, surgical and device management of the advanced heart failure,” said Jennifer Cook, MD, the program director.

For additional details on the heart failure program, see the “LEARN MORE” link below. For more information on either program, you may also contact fellowship administrative associate Christeana Castro, (520) 626-8927 or christeanacastro@deptofmed.arizona.edu

Learn More

Diagram of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery $2.6M NIH Grant to See if Peptide Protects Cognitive Function for CABG Surgery Patients

UA Sarver Heart Center Director and Division of Cardiology Chief Nancy Sweitzer, MD, PhDNancy Sweitzer, MD, PhD, was awarded a $2.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study whether administration of a small protein called a peptide to patients at the time of  coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery—illustrated at right—can safely and effectively protect cognitive function. She is collaborating with Lee Ryan, PhD, professor and head of the UA Department of Psychiatry. David A. Bull, MD, and Zain Khalpey, MD, PhD, are the UA cardiothoracic surgeons who will operate on participants at the UA.

NIH Awards $1.53M for Study of Regulating Hypertension in Postmenopausal Women

Heddwen Brooks, PhDHeddwen Brooks, MD, with the UA Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and ties to the UA Division of Nephrology and Sarver Heart Center, received a $1.53 million NIH grant to study postmenopausal hypertension. This is underscored by the fact that high blood pressure is the No. 1 risk factor for cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women and incidence of hypertension increases in women after menopause.

More in Sarver Heart Center Newsletter:
Among other stories you’ll read in the latest issue of the UA Sarver Hearth Center Newsletter are:

  • Fraternal Order of Eagles Charity Foundation Donates $5,000 for UA Sarver Heart Center Biorepository
  • Sarver Board Member Wanda Moore Honoree at Women’s Foundation of Southern Arizona Lunch
  • Sarver Events Coordinator Jennifer Bunger Receives Brian Bateman Superb Service Award
  • UA Heart Transplant Program Sets Record of 10 Transplants in Nine Months
  • Dr. Kwan Lee Hosts Asian Cardiothoracic Leadership Group in April
  • American College of Cardiology Arizona Chapter Presents Dr. Kwan Lee with Future Leader Award
  • Kat Sisterman, NP, Takes First in Cardiovascular Oral Presentation at Regional ACC Conference
  • Sharon Gregoire, NP, Presents at International Society for Heart & Lung Transplantation in April
  • Drs. Ritter and Cohen Win UA Engagement Grant for Physiology Club, SRCSA Collaboration
  • Indiana University’s Dr. Douglas Zipes Gives 20th Samuel and Edith Marcus Visiting Professor Lecture

For more on the above topics, see the Sarver Heart Center Newsletter Summer 2017 issue – click here [PDF].

For a digital version of this newsletter, click here.

For prior newsletters, click here.

—David Mogollón

ALSO SEE:
“Dr. Khalpey Named a ‘Leading Physician in the World’ by IAHCP” | Posted July 12, 2017
“Sarver Heart Center Recognizes Seven Graduating 2017 Cardiology Fellows” | Posted June 30, 2017
“Dr. Sweitzer Selected as Editor of the Journal, Circulation: Heart Failure” | Posted June 26, 2017
“UA and Mayo Team Up to Improve Heart Care Treatment” | Posted March 21, 2017

Release Date: 
07/12/2017 - 8:30pm