Inaugural Cohort Selected for Fuster Prevention Forum
Participants will become experts in primordial prevention and gain skills to lead a culture of prevention in their local communities
Contact: Julie Boyland, jboyland@acc.org ,
WASHINGTON (Jun 11, 2026) -
Honoring the legacy of Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, MACC, president of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital in New York, forty-seven clinicians were selected to participate in the American College of Cardiology's inaugural Fuster Prevention Forum in Washington on June 12 – 13. The in-person, two-day educational course focuses on early cardiovascular disease prevention and equips clinicians with the tools they need to enact change and foster a culture of prevention in their communities.
Cardiovascular disease continues to be the number one killer of men and women across the world, and research shows that early-life interventions can make an impact on decreasing your risk. The Fuster Prevention Forum aims to create a world where every child has the foundation needed to sustain lifelong cardiovascular health. This vision is achieved through prioritizing education at all levels, encouraging healthy habits and fostering a community-based culture of prevention.
The course will highlight the importance of promoting nutrition, physical activity and emotional well-being during all stages of life, starting in childhood. Participants who complete the course will be recognized as experts in primordial prevention and can return to their communities with the skills and strategies they need to implement community-based prevention initiatives and build heart healthy communities.
After the course, the cohort will participate in a webinar later in the year to assess their progress, foster community and share best practices. The inaugural participants are:
- Ahmed Sami Abuzaid, MD, EMHL, FACC
Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute - Nadeem Ahmad, MD, MBA, FACC
Thomas Jefferson University - Martine Altieri, PA-C, MHS
MyCardiologist CVAUSA - Igor Areinamo, MD, MHA, FACC
Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children Orlando Health - Edward Chu, MD, FACC
Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute at Baptist Health - Douglas Corsi, MD
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School - Qinglan "Priscilla" Ding, MBBS, PhD, AGNP
Purdue University - Antonio B. Fernandez, MD
Hartford Healthcare - Victor Florea, MD, MPH
University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine - Brianna French, MD
Summa Health - Shanice Glasco, MD
UT Southwestern - Amier Haidar, MD, MPH
UT Houston - Jessica Haley, MD, FACC
University of California, San Diego
Rady Children's Health, San Diego - Ramzi Ibrahim, MD
Mayo Clinic Arizona - Linda Ireland, DO, MBA, FACC
Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute - M. Ihsan Kaadan, MD, MS, RPVI
Rush University Medical Center - Richard J. Katz, MD, FACC
George Washington University School of Medicine - Sherrie Khadanga, MD
University of Vermont - Amrin Kharawala, MD
University of Nebraska Medical Center - Christina Kingshill, BSN, RN
Nemours Children's Health - Anuradha Lala-Trindade, MD
Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital - Shelley Langenhorst, DNP, RN, AACC, CV-BC, CNE
CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital - Grace Lee, MD
Boston Medical Center - Yamini Levitzky, MD, MPH, FACC
Mass General Brigham and Newton-Wellesley Hospital - Kara Loutzenhiser, MBA, BSc
Medical University of South Carolina - Adriana Camila Mares
Georgetown University - Michael Miyamoto, MD, MBA, FACC
Providence Health, Mission Heritage Medical Group - Lakshmi Nambiar, MD, MBA, FACC
Weill Cornell Medicine - Barbara Odac, MD, MPH
Griffin Hospital - Reuben Odai, MD
University of Kansas-Wichita - Samuel M. Odoi, MD
John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County - Tetyana Okan, MD, RDCS
Jamaica Hospital Medical Center - Heba Osman, DO
Northwestern University - Baffour Otchere, MD, MPH
Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center - Biren Patel, MD, FACC
RWJBH Jehdhun Cardiology - Ashley Pender, MD, FACC
Thomas Jefferson University - Jose Rivas Rios, FACC
University of Florida - Aleesha Shaik, MD, MPH
Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital - Swaiman Singh, MD, FACC
University of California Davis - Kanya Singhapakdi, DO, MS, FACC
Huntsville Hospital - Meghan Tozzi, MD, FACC
Joseph M. Sanzari Children's Hospital of Hackensack Meridian Health - Aishwarya Vijay, MD
Washington University in St. Louis - Stephen Y. Wang, MD, MPH
Tufts Medical Center - Amha Weldehana, MD
Westchester Medical Center - Jeff Williams, MD, MS, FACC
Lakeland Regional Health System - Thomas M. Yohannan, MD, FACC
Le Bonheur Children's Hospital
University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Alexander Zheutlin, MD, MS
Northwestern University
Learn more about the Fuster Prevention Forum here.
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) is a global leader dedicated to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health for all. For more than 75 years, the ACC has empowered a community of over 60,000 cardiovascular professionals across more than 140 countries with cutting-edge education and advocacy, rigorous professional credentials, and trusted clinical guidance. From its world-class JACC Journals and NCDR registries to its Accreditation Services, global network of Chapters and Sections, and CardioSmart patient initiatives, the College is committed to creating a world where science, knowledge and innovation optimize patient care and outcomes. Learn more at www.ACC.org or connect on social media at @ACCinTouch.
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