FALL'26 AGENDA

CV TRANSFORUM FALL'26 AGENDA

Last updated October 22, 2026. Please check back for updates, including full session descriptions, locations, CME credits, and fields of study. All times in Mountain Daylight Time (MDT).

Wednesday, October 21

TIME	SESSION
4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.	Registration & Early Exhibitor Set-Up Foyer near Escalator & Homestead 1 Beat the lines and pick up your attendee or exhibitor badge early! Exhibitors may also begin setting up their booth during this time.

TIME

SESSION

4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Registration & Early Exhibitor Set-Up

Foyer near Escalator & Homestead 1

Beat the lines and pick up your attendee or exhibitor badge early! Exhibitors may also begin setting up their booth during this time.

Thursday, October 22

TIME	SESSION
6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.	Registration Desk Open (In-Person Only) Homestead Foyer Pick up your attendee or exhibitor badge early! Exhibitors may also begin setting up their booth during this time.
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.	Breakfast for Pre-Conference Sessions Attendees (In-Person Only) Colorado Ballroom A-B Foyer Pre-Conference session attendees are invited to join for breakfast. Grab a plate and join us early in your pre-conference session for networking before we start.
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.	Breakfast for Partner Pulse Participants (In-Person Only) Mountain View Pavilion Partner Pulse participants are invited to join us for breakfast prior to the kick-off of the event.
7:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.	PARTNER PULSE: A MEMBER & PARTNER SPEED-NETWORKING EVENT (In-Person Only)
	Mountain View Pavilion Join us for a lively and thought-provoking speed-networking event between MedAxiom Members and Industry Partners to explore cutting-edge technology and emerging solutions – and help shape the future of how industry engages with providers. Member Benefits: Engage With Innovative Solutions: Meet leading Industry Partners and learn about the technologies and services they offer. Influence How Industry Connects With the Market: Share your insights on gaps in the marketplace and collaborate on solutions to advance the quintuple aim. Hear directly from industry about the latest advancements in technology, implementation models and more. Enjoy Complimentary Participation: This event is free for members and includes breakfast and lunch. Receive a Token of Appreciation: Based on your registration type, you’ll receive either a gift card or a discount on your event registration. Attend an Exclusive Networking Reception: Join us the evening before Partner Pulse for a private reception with the MedAxiom Advisory Council – an esteemed group of leaders and innovators shaping the future of cardiovascular care. This is a unique opportunity to build meaningful connections in a relaxed setting. Please Note: Participation in this event requires arrival on Wednesday, October 21, 2026. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. To confirm your spot, a MedAxiom team member will reach out with a participation survey.
8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.	PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION (In-Person Only)
	Mini-Intensive: Building High-Performing Cardiovascular APP Care Teams Colorado Ballroom B As cardiovascular programs face growing workforce pressures, increasing patient complexity and rising demands for access, optimizing care teams, especially advanced practice providers (APP), has become a strategic imperative. This mini-intensive is designed for cardiovascular leaders seeking to standardize care models, improve APP retention and build sustainable, high-performing teams across inpatient and outpatient settings. Through practical strategies, real-world examples and benchmarking insights, attendees will explore how leading organizations are redesigning cardiovascular care teams to ensure APPs practice at the top of their license while strengthening physician alignment, operational efficiency and patient access. Participating in this mini-intensive will provide individuals and organizations with both intellectual and financial ROI. Participants will leave with actionable frameworks and implementation ideas to enhance team performance, improve clinician satisfaction and create scalable cardiovascular care models for the future. Topics will incude: Current-state APP utilization benchmarks Role standardization Physician/APP alignment strategies Compensation and productivity models Billing and split/shared compliance considerations Call coverage design and burnout mitigation strategies *Please register for this session during the registration process for $299. Breakfast is included.* Speaker: Nicole Knight, LPN, CPC, CCS-P, Executive Vice President, Revenue Cycle Solutions and Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom Joel Sauer, MBA, Executive Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom Nicole Dellise, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, CHFN, CCK, FACC, Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom CME Credits: 3.5
1:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.	GENERAL SESSIONS
1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.	Welcome and Opening Remarks (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A Join us as we kick-off the conference with opening remarks and a welcome from MedAxiom leaders. Speakers: Lori Walsh, MHSA, Executive Vice President, Member Services and Operations, MedAxiom Jerry Blackwell, MD, MBA, FACC, President & CEO, MedAxiom Joseph E. Marine, MD, MBA, FACC, Vice-Director for Operations, Division of Cardiology, Johns Hopkins Hospital
1:30 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.	Keynote Session: The Future of the CV Workforce: Lessons From the Field (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A The cardiovascular workforce is changing, and the way we deliver care must change with it. Workforce shortages, evolving care models and rising expectations for collaboration are reshaping how cardiovascular teams work, lead and deliver care every day. In this keynote, Nicole L. Lohr, MD, PhD, FACC, will draw on her experience as a practicing cardiologist, ACC leader, professor and director of the Division of Cardiovascular Disease at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to explore the forces shaping the future of the cardiovascular workforce. Through lessons from the field, she will offer practical perspective on how clinicians and leaders can navigate these changes, strengthen team-based care, adapt to new models of practice, and build a more sustainable future for cardiovascular care. Speaker: Nicole L. Lohr, MD, PhD, FACC, Professor of Medicine, Mary G. Waters Chair of Cardiovascular Medicine, Director, Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Co-Director, UAB Cardiovascular Institute, Associate Director, Comprehensive Cardiovascular Center, Depart of Medicine, Heersink School of Medicine, The University of Alabama at Birmingham CME Credits: 0.75
2:15 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.	Strategic Expansion of CV Services to Support Sustainable Growth (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A In MedAxiom's 2026 CV Program Top Priorities Survey Report, patient access was identified as one of the top challenges facing cardiovascular service lines today. This session will examine practical, scalable approaches to improving access through workforce optimization, care model innovation, process redesign, and strategic growth planning. Participants will gain real-world strategies that have helped cardiovascular service lines improve access, optimize capacity, and meet growing patient demand. Speaker: Tiffany K. Street, DNP, ACNP-BC, FAANP, Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom CME Credits: 0.50
2:45 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.	Beyond the Stethoscope: AI in CV Medicine and Back Office (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A This session will explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping every layer of cardiovascular practice — from the imaging lab to the administrative suite. The speakers will highlight AI-assisted interpretation of cardiac testing modalities, where algorithmic support is accelerating read times, improving inter-observer agreement, and surfacing subtle pathology, alongside ambient-listening tools that draft structured notes in real time, improving clinic efficiency and freeing clinicians to focus on the patient rather than the screen. Equally important, the session addresses implementation challenges — data governance, regulatory compliance, clinician trust and the operational friction that separates a promising pilot from a sustained workflow. A practical case study rounds out the discussion: building a conversational AI interface to query and evaluate MedAxcess performance data for cardiology practices, turning a static reporting tool into a dynamic decision-support partner for practice owners and administrators. Speakers: George G. Sokos, DO, FACC, Abnash C Jain Chair, Department of Cardiology, West Virginia University David Rich, MD, Chief Medical Information Officer, WVU Frank Briggs, PharmD, MPH, FASHP, FACHE, FACC, Vice President Service Line, WVU Heart & Vascular Institute, WVU Medicine CME Credits: 0.75
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.	Break With Industry Partners & Exhibitors (In-Person Only) Colorado Ballroom Foyer
4:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.	Designing and Implementing an Enterprise-Wide Inpatient HF Pathway (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A Variability in inpatient heart failure (HF) care can lead to inconsistent outcomes, higher readmission rates and missed opportunities to deliver evidence-based care. This session will explore how one health system designed and implemented an enterprise-wide inpatient HF pathway to standardize care across multiple markets. Speakers will share lessons learned in governance, clinician engagement, electronic health record (EHR)-embedded workflows and change management, as well as the development of performance dashboards to support targeted education, measure adoption, and improve outcomes. Speakers: Laura Grafrath, MA, Associate Vice President, Enterprise National Service Line, Advocate Health James Reynolds, MBA, MHA, Vice President, Quality & Clinical Effectiveness, Advocate Health Ginger Biesbrock, DSc, PA-C, MPH, FACC, Senior Vice President, National Heart and Vascular Service Line, Advocate Health CME Credits: 0.50
4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.	Beyond RVUs: Building a Value-Based Compensation Model for Strategic Growth (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A As cardiovascular programs evolve to meet growing demands around access, quality, innovation and care transformation, traditional production-heavy compensation models may no longer align with value-based care and organizational priorities. This session will explore one program's transition to a compensation approach designed to support program development and strategic initiatives beyond clinical volume alone. The speaker will share the context behind the change, outline the compensation model, and discuss how it has advanced organizational goals. Attendees will also learn how the team secured executive and physician buy-in, along with key implementation lessons and considerations for organizations evaluating similar models. Speaker: Rajendra Kattar, MD, FACC, President, ProMedica Heart Institute CME Credits: 0.75
5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.	Networking Reception With Industry Partners & Exhibitors (In-Person Only) *Sponsored by HCA Healthcare* Colorado Ballroom Foyer Join us for a networking reception with industry partners and exhibitors.
6:15 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.	Group Dinner for All Attendees & Exhibitors (In-Person Only) *Sponsored by MDabstract* Front Range Lawn, outdoors at the Gaylord Rockies Resort All attendees are invited to join us outside for a group dinner to celebrate the kick-off of the conference.

Friday, October 23

TIME	SESSION
6:15 a.m. - 6:20 p.m.	Registration Desk Open (In-Person Only) Homestead Foyer Pick up your badge at the registration desk. The MedAxiom team is also available to answer any questions throughout the conference.
6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.	Breakfast for All Attendees (In-Person Only) Breakfast buffets will be located near each meeting room. All attendees and exhibitors are welcome to join us for breakfast. Enjoy your meal while you participate in morning sessions: breakfast spotlight, physician-only breakfast and POD sessions.
6:45 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.	Physician-Only Breakfast Session (In-Person Only) Red Rock 2 & 3 This breakfast is open to physicians from healthcare systems, hospitals or practices only. Physicians are welcome to join us for this roundtable discussion of hot topics in cardiovascular care CME Credits: 1.00
6:45 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.	NEW! Rise & Connect: A CV APP Breakfast (In-Person Only) Red Rock 4 & 5 This breakfast is open to APPs from healthcare systems, hospitals or practices only. Start your day with the people who understand your role best. Join fellow cardiovascular APPs for a special breakfast designed just for you. Rise & Connect: A CV APP Breakfast is an opportunity to connect with peers from across the country, share experiences and ideas, and talk about the opportunities and challenges shaping your work in cardiovascular care. Over breakfast, you'll take part in informal, APP-to-APP conversations around the issues that matter most—from navigating evolving roles and strengthening physician-APP collaboration to advancing your career, improving care and making a greater impact on your team. No presentations. No packed agenda. Just meaningful conversation, new connections and a chance to learn from other cardiovascular APPs who understand the work you do every day. Come for breakfast. Leave with new ideas, new connections and a stronger CV APP community. Hosts: Nicole Dellise, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, CHFN, CCK, FACC, Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom Amy E. Simone, PA-C, FACC, Chair, ACC Cardiovascular Team Member Section CME Credits: 1.00
7:15 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.	EDUCATIONAL SPOTLIGHT BREAKFAST (In-Person & Virtual)
	Using Whole Person Care to Optimize Patients Pre and Post Cardiac Procedures – Delivering Improved Health & Financial Outcomes (In-Person & Virtual) This is a non-accredited session *Sponsored by Nudj Health* Red Rock 8 & 9 Improving patient outcomes while managing costs, resources, and growing operational demands remains a priority for cardiovascular programs. But how can health systems extend care beyond the clinical encounter without adding to already stretched resources? This session examines practical approaches to integrating lifestyle medicine, behavioral health, and personalized patient engagement into existing care delivery models. Learn how team-based, technology-enabled strategies can help address patient risk factors, reduce avoidable utilization, improve care coordination, and support more sustainable financial performance while creating a better patient experience. Speaker: Yuri Sudhakar, CEO, Nudj Health
8:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.	POD SESSIONS (In-Person Only)
	Exclusive to MedAxiom Members, Pod sessions will allow you to participate in detailed discussions about current industry trends and issues. Guided by Pod leaders, this option provides a mix of presentations from non-competing organizations and open discussions about the specific challenges your organizations are facing. You will receive your pod assignment from MedAxiom the week of the conference. POD A Red Rock 8 & 9 CME Credits: 3.5 POD B Red Rock 2 & 3 CME Credits: 3.5 POD C Willow Lake 5 CME Credits: 3.5 POD D Willow Lake 3 & 4 CME Credits: 3.5 POD E Homestead 3 & 4 CME Credits: 3.5 POD PED Homestead 1 CME Credits: 3.5 POD HCA Homestead 2 CME Credits: 3.5 POD Academic Red Rock 6 & 7 CME Credits: 3.5
9:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.	Break With Industry Partners & Exhibitors (In-Person Only) Colorado Ballroom Foyer Join us for a break with industry partners and exhibitors.
12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.	EDUCATIONAL SPOTLIGHT LUNCHES (In-Person & Virtual)
	The Future of CIED Management: Operational Excellence in the Era of AI (In-Person & Virtual) This is a non-accredited session *Sponsored by PaceMate* Colorado Ballroom D This session will demonstrate that AI-driven innovation is the next layer on top of disciplined operational infrastructure, not a replacement for it. Satish Misra, MD, will demonstrate what data-driven operational excellence looks like today, while Benjamin Steinberg, MD, will show how AI extends it, framed explicitly around clinical, operational, quality, safety and financial excellence. Speakers: Benjamin Steinberg, MD, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist, Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology, Denver Health Medical Center; Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschultz; and Chief Medical Officer, PaceMate Satish Misra, MD, Medical Director, SHVI Cardiac Device Clinic, Atrium Health, Advocate Southeast
	Developing a Programmatic Approach to Improve Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloidosis (ATTR) Care Delivery (In-Person & Virtual) This is a non-accredited session *Sponsored by Alnylam* Colorado Ballroom C Zubair Shah, MD, will share his experience building and scaling a comprehensive amyloid program focused on early identification and multidisciplinary collaboration, including key operational and clinical strategies to support program launch and scalable growth. Speaker: Zubair Shah, MD, Assistant Professor, Cardiovascular Medicine, KU Medical Center, the University of Kansas
	From Overwhelmed to Optimized: AI for Healthcare Admin (In-Person & Virtual) This is a non-accredited session *Sponsored by Basata* Colorado Ballroom B You already know the daily grind: scheduling gaps, referral backlogs and endless manual record handling. This talk moves past the problem and into what's actually possible now. You'll see how AI agents can automate your inbox, handle patient scheduling through voice and chat, generate charts automatically from incoming referrals, and integrate directly with the EHR/EMR, fax, and call center systems you already use, keeping a human in the loop where it matters. The focus is practical: what AI can take off your plate today, how to plug it into workflows you already run, and how to scale it across your practice without adding headcount or losing control. You'll leave with a concrete picture of what's achievable, not just why change is needed. Speaker: Jacob Corbell, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, Midwest Cardiovascular Institute
12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.	Break With Industry Partners & Exhibitors (In-Person Only) Colorado Ballroom Foyer Join us for a break with industry partners and exhibitors.
1:00 - 1:25 p.m.	BREAKOUT SESSIONS
	Build vs. Partner: What One Cardiology Practice Learned About Virtual Care Pods (In-Person & Virtual) This is a non-accredited session Red Rock 8 & 9 Every cardiology practice facing rising patient demand and a shrinking APP and physician pipeline eventually asks the same question: build the capacity yourself, or partner for it? In this session, leaders from Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia and Auxira Health will share how one large practice made that call, what changed once they did, and what it actually takes to run a virtual APP-led care pod day to day. Hear the business case, the clinical reality and the lessons other cardiology practices should weigh before deciding for themselves. Speakers: Michael Palmer, CBDO, Cardiology Consultants of Philadelphia Kerra Wilkinson, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, Nurse Practitioner, Electrophysiology, Auxira Health Moderator: Inna Plumb, CEO, Auxira Health
	Value-Based Care: A Truly Pooled Cardiology Compensation Model (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom D Pooled compensation models continue to be popular in cardiology, given the deep subspecialization and natural team orientation of the service. However, because of both compliance and valuation reasons, pooled models often require mettlesome workarounds for certain services and caps at the individual physician level. While these modifications may address regulatory needs, they often pollute the positive intent of the shared model and fall short of motivating the desired team behaviors. This session will explore a model that both satisfies regulatory needs and maintains a true pool without the need for individual physician testing. Speakers: James (Jim) M. Daniel, JD, MBA, Hancock Daniel, LLP Chris Majdi, MS, CBA, CVA, Director – Valuation, Zephyr Healthcare Advisors, LLC Joel Sauer, MBA, Executive Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom CME Credits: 0.50
	Hospital at Home: Expanding Acute Care Without Expanding Your Footprint (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom C As health systems face growing capacity constraints, workforce challenges and rising capital costs, the Hospital at Home program offers a scalable alternative to traditional inpatient expansion. This session explores how Tampa General Hospital is delivering hospital-level care in patients' homes to increase acute-care capacity, improve patient experience and reduce the need for costly brick-and-mortar investments. Attendees will learn which high-acuity cardiovascular and medical service lines are best suited for these programs, as well as the clinical, operational and technology capabilities required to support them safely. The session will also explain how the model is evolving into a broader Health System at Home strategy that extends across the entire care continuum – from acute care through recovery, chronic disease management and longitudinal care. Speakers: Peter Chang, MD, Senior Vice President, Chief Transformation Officer, Tampa General Hospital Tara Collet, MAOL, CPC, Vice President, Heart and Vascular Institute, Tampa General Hospital CME Credits: 0.50
	From Vision to Reality: Building a Successful Cardio-Obstetrics Program (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom B Cardio-obstetrics programs are becoming an essential component of comprehensive cardiovascular care as the number of women with complex cardiovascular conditions during pregnancy continues to grow. In this session, physician leaders from Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio will share why they launched the program, how it is structured, and the multidisciplinary partnerships that have been critical to its success. Attendees will gain practical insights into program implementation, operational workflows, early outcomes and lessons learned, along with perspectives on future opportunities to expand and strengthen care. Speakers: Yissela Escobedo, MD, MS, Cardiologist, Methodist Cardiology Clinic of San Antonio CME Credits: 0.50
1:30 - 1:55 p.m.	BREAKOUT SESSIONS
	The Cutting Edge of CV Innovation: HeartX (In-Person & Virtual) Red Rock 8 & 9 HeartX is the cardiovascular-focused healthcare accelerator created by MedAxiom and HealthTech Arkansas to facilitate pilot projects and clinical trials for accomplished, early-stage companies bringing new cardiovascular innovations to market. This cohort includes the best of the best from over 100 innovators that applied in 2026. Learn about these innovations in a short period of time to be on the leading edge of cardiovascular care. There will also be an opportunity for Q&A. Moderators: Joe Sasson, PhD, Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President of Ventures, MedAxiom Jeff Stinson, Founder and Director HealthTech Arkansas
	Team-Based Care: Optimizing Roles, Responsibilities and Care Team Deployment Across the Continuum (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom C As cardiovascular programs face increasing patient demand, workforce challenges and growing care complexity, many organizations are rethinking how care is delivered across the continuum. This session will highlight one organization's journey to developing and advancing a team-based care model, including key strategies, lessons learned and practical approaches to improving efficiency, coordination and patient access. Participants will gain insights into opportunities, challenges and measurable outcomes that can help guide their own care transformation efforts. Speaker: Desirae Mays, BSN, RN, Heart Failure Center and Care Team RN Manager, Centra Stroobants Heart and Vascular Institute Mike Petrikonis, MSN, FNP-BC, Nurse Practitioner, Director of Advanced Practice Provider Services, Centra, Centra Heart & Vascular Institute, Stroobants Heart and Vascular Institute CME Credits: 0.50
	Smarter Scheduling, Better Throughput: Data-Driven Strategies for CV Lab Efficiency (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom D Efficient procedural care starts well before the patient enters the lab. This session will explore how cardiovascular programs can use data-driven scheduling, provider-informed categorization, and standardized readiness processes to improve patient access, procedural preparedness and cardiovascular lab utilization. Attendees will examine the key data points needed to build patient-focused schedules; explore tools for managing elective, urgent and emergent procedures; and identify strategies for improving communication across the care continuum. The session will also highlight opportunities to optimize electronic health record functionality and standardize scheduling and readiness workflows to reduce delays, better align resources, and create a more predictable experience for patients, providers and staff. Speaker: Bryan Mullen, MBA, BAN, RN, Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom CME Credits: 0.50
	Optimizing Vascular Medicine and Improving Care Coordination in PAD (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom B Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is an increasingly important focus for cardiovascular programs, yet fragmented care between cardiovascular teams and vascular surgeons can create barriers to timely, coordinated treatment. Drawing on insights from MedAxiom’s 2026 CV Program Top Priorities Survey Report, this session will explore practical strategies for optimizing vascular medicine, strengthening collaboration with vascular surgery, and building more integrated care pathways for patients with PAD. Speakers will share approaches to team structure, referral and care coordination, and program development that can help cardiovascular organizations improve access, reduce fragmentation, and deliver more seamless, patient-centered vascular care. Speaker: Tiffany K. Street, DNP, ACNP-BC, FAANP, Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom CME Credits: 0.50
2:00 p.m. - 2:25 p.m.	BREAKOUT SESSIONS
	Putting AI to Work: Smarter Coding and Strategy for CV Care (In-Person & Virtual) This is a non-accredited session. Red Rock 8 & 9 Artificial intelligence (AI) is moving beyond clinical decision support and into the day-to-day operations of cardiovascular programs. This session will showcase two purpose-built AI applications designed for cardiovascular leaders: MedAxiom’s Accucode CV, an advanced coding solution capable of coding complex cardiovascular procedures and imaging studies CardioOptimizer, an AI-powered strategic advisor that helps cardiovascular leaders assess operational and service-line challenges, identify opportunities, evaluate potential solutions, and translate insight into actionable strategies and reports. Attendees will see practical examples of how purpose-built AI can improve efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and extend the capabilities of cardiovascular leadership teams. Speakers: Nicole Knight, LPN, CPC, CCS-P, Executive Vice President, Revenue Cycle Solutions and Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom Kristen Doster, CEO, CardioOptimizer
	Accelerating Excellence: A Roundtable Discussion on Developing CV APP Expertise (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom B As advanced practice providers (APPs) are increasingly contributing to program success, it's essential for cardiovasculars leaders to develop their cardiovascular APPs' expertise. Join the conversation during this interactive roundtable discussion as we explore strategies to accelerate cardiovascular APP excellence – from onboarding to expert practice. Framed by key themes from the 2026 Cardiovascular APP Utilization and Compensation Survey Report, the discussion will cover onboarding best practices, strategies to support APP professional growth, and practical resources and tools to help APPs advance. Special Guest: Amy E. Simone, PA-C, FACC, Senior Director, Clinical Affairs, Edwards Lifesciences; Chair, Cardiovascular Team Section, ACC Speaker: Nicole Dellise, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, CHFN, CCK, FACC, Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom Credits: 0.50
	The Cost of Variation: Building a Better System of Care for VTE (In-Person & Virtual) This is a non-accredited session. Colorado Ballroom C How health systems can transform pulmonary and venous thromboembolism care from regional excellence to enterprise-wide consistency. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a significant cause of preventable morbidity and mortality, yet many patients do not receive coordinated, evidence-based care that optimizes both clinical outcomes and resource utilization. This session will increase awareness of the unmet needs within this patient population. Faculty will discuss how advanced therapies, standardized care pathways and performance tracking can improve care delivery, support better long-term patient outcomes, and demonstrate value across the health system. Speakers: Aditya Sharma, MD, FSVM, RPVI, Medical Director, Vascular Medicine, Medical Director, Venous Thromboembolism Center of Excellence, Co-Director, Vascular Laboratory, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, Atrium Health; Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine; Chair, Vascular Scientific Sessions 2026; President-Elect, Society for Vascular Medicine Ginger Biesbrock DSc, PA-C, MPH, FACC, Senior Vice President, National Heart & Vascular Service Line, Advocate Health CME Credits: 0.50
	Pulse and Pipeline: How CV and Supply Chain Power Clinical Excellence (In-Person & Virtual) Building a Strategic Partnership Between the Heart & Vascular Service Line and Supply Chain Colorado Ballroom D Cardiovascular programs face growing pressure to deliver better outcomes while managing rising supply costs, unwarranted variation, and the complexities of a national service line. This session explores how cardiovascular, supply chain, and executive leaders can align priorities, standardize practices, and strengthen product utilization without compromising clinician input or clinical excellence. Speakers will examine strategies for balancing cost and quality, navigating vendor relationships and pricing variability, streamlining workflows, and reducing variation across sites. The discussion will also highlight governance models that enable enterprise decision-making, scale successful pilots, and create clear accountability and performance measures across the cardiovascular service line. Speakers Joshua Peltz, MBA, MSN, RN, FACHE, Assistant Vice President, Cardiovascular Services, Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, Atrium Health Kathleen Gustafson, MBA, Director, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain Management, Advocate Health CME Credits: 0.50
2:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.	Break With Industry Partners & Exhibitors (In-Person Only) Colorado Ballroom Foyer Join us for a break with industry partners and exhibitors. Light snacks and beverages will be served.
3:00 PM - 5:35 PM	GENERAL SESSIONS
3:00 p.m. - 3:05 p.m.	Welcome Announcements (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A
3:05 p.m. – 3:35 p.m.	Preventing Burnout in the CV Workforce (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A Burnout continues to challenge the cardiovascular workforce, contributing to staff turnover, reduced engagement and workforce shortages that can impact patient care. Further, the Quintuple Aim elevates workforce wellbeing as essential to achieving quality, cost, population health and equity goals. This session will explore the causes and consequences of burnout, examine its effect on individuals and organizations, and highlight practical strategies to foster resilience, strengthen organizational culture, improve workforce retention, and create a healthier, more sustainable cardiovascular team. Speaker: Laxmi Mehta, MD, MBA, FACC, Chief Wellbeing Officer, Section Director of Preventive Cardiology & Women’s Health, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center CME Credits: 0.50
3:35 p.m. - 4:20 p.m.	Key Cardiology Advocacy, Regulatory and Financial Updates: The Potential Impacts in 2027 (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A This session will provide an overview of the 2027 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed rules and offers insights into the actions cardiovascular programs should take and related ACC Advocacy efforts. MedAxiom and ACC experts unpack the proposed updates to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment and Ambulatory Surgical Center Payment Systems, and the Quality Payment Program. They will clarify potential reimbursement shifts affecting cardiovascular services, site-of-service dynamics, efficiency adjustments, and other factors that may shape day-to-day operations and long-term sustainability. Speakers: Nicole F. Knight, LPN, CPC, CCS-P, Executive Vice President, Revenue Cycle Solutions and Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom Nick Morse, MBA, Division Vice President, Advocacy and Government Affairs, ACC Samuel O. Jones IV, MD, MPH, FACC, Director, Electrophysiology Lab, Chattanooga Heart Institute CME Credits: 0.75
4:20 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.	The Power of Partnership: Advancing CV Care Through Network Collaboration (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A Building and sustaining comprehensive cardiovascular services can be challenging for community hospitals with limited resources and specialized expertise. This session will explore the organizational structure of a comprehensive, statewide cardiovascular network and the programs and services that create value for participating hospitals, including education, program development and quality improvement support. Through a real-world community hospital case study, attendees will see how network resources, multidisciplinary collaboration and targeted initiatives can expand cardiovascular services, strengthen care delivery and help hospitals advance their capabilities through strategic partnership. Speakers: Rebecca Craft, MS, MBA, Director of Cardiovascular Outreach Operations, Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, UK HealthCare Navin Rajagopalan, MD, Director, Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Affiliate Network, UK HealthCare CME Credits: 0.50
4:50 p.m. - 5:35 p.m.	ePoster Winner Presentations: Transforming the Future of CV Care (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A Join us as we celebrate our first cohort of ePoster winners! Join us as we celebrate our second cohort of ePoster winners! The MedAxiom CV Transforum Abstract Review Committee have selected abstracts in the following topic areas to be displayed as electronic poster presentations (ePosters): Value-Based Care: Delivery of care where reimbursement is based on patient health outcomes. Disrupting the Trade-Off: Remote Perioperative Monitoring Lowers Readmissions, Shortens Length of Stay, and Creates Measurable Value After Isolated CABG Program: Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute, Atrium Health Winners: Abbigail Snyder, Data Analyst, Sanger Heart & Vascular Shannon Crotwell, BSN, CCRN, RN, Clinical Program Director, Sander Heart & Vascular Institute Center Advocate Health Quality Improvement: Systematic and continuous actions leading to measurable improvement. Validation of Real-Time Artificial Intelligence-Guided Cardiac Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Guide Management by Non-Cardiologist Providers: The AISAP-INOVA Pilot Study Program: Inova Health Winner: Dr. Joan Zhao, Inova Health Care Delivery and Cost Reduction: Operational, administrative and financial processes. Turning EMR Signals into Action: Real-Time Detection of Heart Failure Admissions Program: WVU Medicine Presenting Author: Terry Kisner & Frank Briggs, WVU Medicine Implementation Science: Study of methods promoting adoption/implementation of evidence-based practices. Registry Abstraction Automation Platform: A Scalable and Automated Framework for Registry Datamarts, Clinical Text Extraction, and Human-in-the-Loop Validation Program: Advocate Health Author: Elizabeth Ross Presenting Author: Audrey Cuison & Stacie Hauswirth- Houghton CME Credits: 0.75
5:35 p.m. - 6:35 p.m.	Networking Reception With Industry Partners & Exhibitors (In-Person Only) *Sponsored by Dedicated IT* Colorado Ballroom Foyer Join us for a networking reception with all attendees, industry partners and exhibitors.

Saturday, October 24

TIME	SESSION
7:00 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.	Registration Desk Open (In-Person Only) Homestead Foyer Pick up your badge at the registration desk. The MedAxiom team is also available to answer questions throughout the conference.
7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.	Breakfast for all Attendees (In-Person Only) Colorado Ballroom Foyer All attendees are welcome to join us for breakfast. Seating will be available in the foyer and inside the general session room.
7:15 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.	Physician-Only Breakfast Session (In-Person Only) This breakfast is open to physicians from healthcare systems, hospitals or practices only. Red Rock 2 & 3 Physicians are welcome to join us for this round table discussion of hot topics in cardiovascular care. CME Credits: 1.00
7:15 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.	APP Breakfast Social (In-Person Only) Red Rock 4 & 5 This breakfast is open to APPs from healthcare systems, hospitals or practices only. Come for breakfast. Leave with new ideas, new connections and a stronger CV APP community. Hosts: Nicole Dellise, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, CHFN, CCK, FACC, Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom Amy E. Simone, PA-C, FACC, Chair, ACC Cardiovascular Team Member Section CME Credits: 1.00
8:30 AM – 10:40 AM	GENERAL SESSION
8:30 a.m. - 8:35 a.m.	Final Day Remarks (In-Person & Virtual)
8:35 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.	Beyond the Dashboard: How Clinical, Operational, and Executive Leaders Drive Sustainable CV Quality Improvement (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A This session will explore how health systems can build and sustain a successful cardiovascular quality improvement strategy through effective organizational, clinical and governance structures. The speakers will examine strategies for aligning physician leadership, executive sponsorship, operational teams and EHR capabilities to transform performance data into measurable improvements in care and outcomes. Drawing on lessons learned from enterprise-wide cardiovascular quality transformation, the session will provide a practical framework for strengthening quality reporting, translating insights into targeted clinical interventions, and advancing system-wide cardiovascular performance within participants’ own organizations. Speakers: Meena Rao, MD, Physician Lead, Novant Health, Heather Davis, MD, CMO, Novant Health Sarah Ayoubi, BSN, RN, HVI Director of Clinical Excellence, Novant Health CME Credits: 0.50
9:00 a.m. - 9:25 a.m.	Expansion of the Multispecialty Heart and Vascular Institute: Critical Care Comes Into the Fold (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A As cardiovascular services continue to evolve as strategic priorities within health systems, organizations are rethinking how critical care can be integrated to support growth, quality and financial sustainability. This session will explore the expansion of a multispecialty heart and vascular institute through the integration of critical care, from recognizing the need for change to developing and implementing a new model of care. Speakers will discuss the programmatic value of cardiovascular critical care, including opportunities to improve operational performance, support complex patient care, and demonstrate the financial impact of a dedicated critical care strategy. Attendees will gain insights into building a sustainable critical care program that aligns with the future needs of cardiovascular services. Speakers: Michael D. Harper, MD, Associate Professor of Clinical Emergency Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine; Co-Director, Surgical CVICU, Medical Director, ECMO Program, MedStar Washington Hospital Center Aparna Keshavan, MS, Assistant Vice President, Clinical Operations, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, Pulmonary, MedStar Health CME Credits: 0.50
9:25 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.	Beyond the Build: Quality and Outcomes in the CV ASC (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A Opening a cardiovascular ambulatory surgery center (ASC) is about more than creating a new site of care – it requires building an environment where quality, safety and outcomes can be measured, demonstrated and continuously improved. Through a real-world case study, this session will explore how one organization approached quality from the earliest stages of ASC development through ongoing operations. The center’s Director of Nursing will examine the infrastructure, processes and data needed to support high-quality cardiovascular care, including quality metrics, outcomes measurement, registry participation, benchmarking and performance improvement. Attendees will gain practical insights into defining what quality looks like in the cardiovascular ASC, using data to identify opportunities for improvement, and demonstrating value to physicians, patients, payers and other stakeholders. Speaker: Katie VandenAkker, RN, BSN, MBA, Director of Nursing, Corewell Health Heart & Vascular Surgery Center CME Credits: 0.50
9:50 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.	MedAxcess Session: Find the Data. Understand the Story. (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A Learn how to put MedAxcess to work answering the questions that matter most to your cardiovascular program. This session will explore new and enhanced MedAxcess features and demonstrate how to navigate the platform, find relevant benchmarks, compare performance, and understand the story behind the data. Whether you’re new to MedAxcess or a regular user, you’ll leave with practical ways to find the data you need, identify meaningful trends, and use those insights to tell your program’s story. Speakers: Karen Wilson, MHA, Vice President, Member Services Shawn Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer, MedAxiom CME Credits: 0.50
10:15 a.m. - 10:40 a.m.	Successful Approaches for CV Preventive Centers (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A As cardiovascular programs place greater emphasis on prevention, dedicated preventive cardiology centers can help expand access, optimize care delivery, and support sustainable growth. This session will explore the essential components of a successful preventive cardiology service line, including APP-led and pharmacist-integrated care models that extend physician capacity and improve patient access. Speakers will also share operational strategies, such as virtual care and standardized workflows, that enhance efficiency while maintaining high-quality cardiovascular prevention. Attendees will gain practical lessons and actionable strategies to develop, strengthen, or expand a preventive cardiology program within their organization. Speaker: Lisa Davis, PA-C, Baptist Health Florida CME Credits: 0.50
10:40 a.m. - 11:05 a.m.	Four Experts. Four CV Priorities. Five Minutes Each. (In-Person & Virtual) Colorado Ballroom A What cardiovascular priorities deserve more attention right now? In this fast-paced session, four MedAxiom consultants from the Care Transformation Services team will each have five minutes to make the case for a topic they believe cardiovascular leaders should be considering. Expect fresh perspectives, practical insights and ideas that challenge conventional thinking and spark new conversations. The session concludes with an interactive Q&A, giving you the opportunity to dig deeper into the ideas that matter most to you. Speakers: Joel Sauer, MBA, Executive Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom Nicole Dellise, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, NEA-BC, CHFN, CCK, FACC, Vice President, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom Denise Busman, MSN, RN, CPHQ, FACC, Consultant, Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom Nicole Knight, LPN, CPC, CCS-P, Executive Vice President, Revenue Cycle Solutions and Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom CME Credits: 0.50
11:05 a.m.	Conference Adjourns (In-Person & Virtual)

EDUCATIONAL CREDITS – CME Credits

Learning Objectives

Analyze cardiovascular workforce, compensation, and productivity benchmark data to compare practice models and select evidence-based compensation strategies that optimize team-based care delivery and clinical efficiency.
Evaluate quality and value-based performance metrics (e.g., access, outcomes, utilization, and cost measures) to identify gaps in care and implement strategies that improve cardiovascular patient outcomes.
Apply interdisciplinary care coordination and leadership strategies to optimize service line performance, enhance care transitions, and improve patient-centered outcomes across the cardiovascular continuum.

Prerequisites: This meeting is recommended to anyone in the cardiology healthcare field/industry.

Program Knowledge Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Advance Preparation: None required

Accreditation and Designation Statements and Disclosure Report
CV Transforum Fall'26

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of International Institute for Continuing Medical Education and MedAxiom. International Institute for Continuing Medical Education is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

International Institute for Continuing Medical Education designates the hybrid format for this educational activity for a maximum of 22.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Hybrid activity dates: October 22, 2026 – December 31, 2026

Other Healthcare Professionals:

Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM from organizations accredited by the ACCME. Visit the ANCC’s website for more information.

Pharmacists

Different state boards of pharmacy have different requirements for continuing education. Some accept CME credit, while others accept only ACPE-approved CPE (continuing pharmacy education) credit. Please refer to your state board of pharmacy to find out if CME is accepted. Please note that all final decisions about credit hour acceptance will be made by the licensing organization to which the credit hours are submitted.

Physician Assistants

NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM from organizations accredited by ACCME or a recognized state medical society.

Financial Disclosures

The following planners, faculty, reviewers or staff have relevant financial relationships to disclose:

Name | Commercial Interest | Conflict of Interest | Activity role

[Insert Disclosures Listed]

“I have at present or have had within the last 24 months, a financial relationship with one or more ineligible companies.”

iiCME adheres to the ACCME’s Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME/CE activity, including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others are required to disclose all financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest will be mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.

All other faculty, planners, reviewers, or staff report no relationships to disclose:

“I do not have at present nor have had within the last 24 months, any financial relationships with ineligible companies.”

This activity may include discussion of investigational or off-label uses of products or devices.

International Institute for Continuing Medical Education does not endorse or promote the use of any product or device outside of its approved indications