Ward Family Heart Center Team Presents at Annual Pediatric Cardiology Conference

Members of the Ward Family Heart Center team traveled to Scottsdale, Ariz., to participate and present at the 29th Annual Update on Pediatric and Congenital Cardiovascular Disease conference. Team members delivered presentations during plenary sessions and subspecialty breakout sessions and participated in moderated panel discussions, case-based interactive presentations and abstract sessions.

Children's Mercy presentations

James O’Brien, MD, FACS – “Topics in Surgical and Catheter-Based Therapeutic Interventions 2026” (Moderated); “Yes, I Am Going to Do That to the Heart: Creating Trust Between Patient and Surgeon”

Stacy Reynolds, CPNP-PC – “Tackling SSI’s: A Nurse-Led Solution,” “Managing Medications in Real Life,” “Beyond the Technology: When Worlds, Culture and Care Collide”

Bianca Cherestal, MD – “Group Discussion on Acute Care – Inpatient Cardiology Learning: Case Presentations and Scenarios”

Geetha Raghuveer, MD, MRCP, MPH, FAAP, FACC, FAHA – “How to Care for Your Coronaries Early in Life! Lifestyle and Prevention of Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease”

Lisa Laddish, DNP, CPNP-AC, CPNP-PC - “Congenital Heart Disease and Post-Operative Management: A Master Class for Nurses, APPs, and Front-Line Clinicians,” “Managing Medications in Real Life," “Together in Innovation and Discovery: Showcasing Top Nursing Oral Abstracts” (Moderated), “Together at the Table: Breakfast With Cardiac Nursing Leaders”
 

Abstracts

• Daniel Forsha, MD, MHS, Physician, Heart Center
• Mahmoud Jaara, MD, Pediatric Fellow, GME Fellowship Education
• Ashley Valenza, Student Research Assistant, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Tony Zunica, MD, Pediatric Fellow, GME Fellowship Education

Through learning, sharing and networking, the conference aims to equip the pediatric and congenital cardiovascular care community with tools to help patients achieve a normal quality and duration of life while supporting their families.