The Ward Family Heart Center Experts Share Knowledge, Research at ASE 2026

Members of the Ward Family Heart Center made a strong impression at the 2026 American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Scientific Sessions, contributing as presenters, educators, researchers and judges while showcasing the organization’s national leadership in pediatric cardiovascular imaging.

  Notable Achievements and Presentations: 

• Rita France presented and Dan Forsha chaired and presented the hands-on Pediatric Strain Learning Lab.
• Rita France organized the Society of Pediatric Echo [SOPE] networking event.
• Dan Forsha was a panelist interviewer of Meryl Cohen during the Pediatric Echo Trailblazers session
• Dan Forsha judged the Brian Haluska Sonographer Research Award competition.
• Melanie Kathol received FASE recognition and managed the CMKC Heart Center Cardiac Imaging Core Lab Booth throughout the conference.

  Abstracts:  

• Diagnosis Associated Defects and Management of 10-year Follow-Up of Anomalous Left Circumflex Coronary Artery from the Right Pulmonary Artery
  • Authors – Abhijikumar Jayasckat, Chris Mathis, William Gibson, Lauren Littell, Jenna Schermerhorn, Kayla Sayre, Sanket Shah
• A case series of prenatal diagnosis of right aortic arch, right ductus arteriosus and significant congenital heart disease
  • Authors – Jenna Schermerhorn, Hayley Hancock, Nitin Madan, Anmol Goyal, Kelsey Brattrud, Sanket Shah, Maria Kiaffas
• Expect the Unexpected: Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography Shows Double Orifice Left Atrioventricular Valve in Unbalanced Right Dominant Atrioventricular Septal Defect
  • Authors – Pezad Doctor, Mohamed Aasshiq Abdul Ghayum, Katie Moore, Tyler Johnson, Anmol Goyal, Sanket Shah
• Coronary Artery Fistula, Ventricular Septal Defect and Vascular Ring; Prenatal Diagnosis, Postnatal Course, and Percutaneous Fistula Closure
  • Authors – Lauren Littell, Toby Rockefeller, Maria Kiaffas, Nitin Madan, Doa Aly, Sanket Shah
• Triple orifice right and double orifice left atrioventricular valve in a patient with atypical atrioventricular septal defect variant.. Poster presented at: American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) Echo Expo; 2026.
  • Authors – Adenike Adenikinju, Mariano Gonzalez Coral, Lauren Littell, Sanket Shah, Edo Bedzra, Anmol Goyal
• Continuous Quality Improvement in Pediatric Echocardiography: A Multi-Year Journey of Measurable Impact”
  • Authors – Ashley Warta, Laura Kuzava and Rita France 

By presenting innovative research, leading educational sessions and sharing best practices, the Ward Family Heart Center team demonstrated the collaborative approach that drives excellence in patient care, education and discovery. Their contributions at ASE 2026 further reinforced Children’s Mercy’s reputation as a leader in pediatric cardiac imaging and congenital heart disease care.