Do you have a reliable roadmap for optimizing care during a crisis? On MedAxiom HeartTalk, host Melanie Lawson speaks with guests Elizabeth Perpetua, DNP, ACNP-BC, FACC, Kimberly Guibone, DNP, ACNP-BC, FACC, Martina Kelly Speight, MSN, FNP-BC, and Joan Michaels, RN, MSN, CPHQ. They share insights from their PEARLS paper – a blueprint for structural heart programs to optimize care and improve outcomes while facing profound obstacles.

Guest Bios:

Elizabeth Perpetua, DNP, ACNP-BC, FACC: Founder of Empath Health Services and faculty at University of Washington in Seattle – Dr. Perpetua led the efforts and development of the PEARLS paper and the first published study describing the Structural Heart Coordinator role and Coordination in the U.S. She is a Doctor of Nursing Practice with 15 years of experience in structural heart program development and research. She was the Director of the structural heart programs at Swedish Medical Center and University of Washington before starting her work in consulting and education. Dr. Perpetua has trained thousands of nurses, physicians, and administrators in structural heart disease.

Kimberly Guibone, DNP, ACNP-BC, FACC: Structural Heart Clinical Program Manager at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Guibone brings extensive experience as a Doctor of Nursing Practice and the first valve coordinator of her structural heart program. She has contributed to multiple research papers helping to define the role of the valve center coordinator.

Martina Kelly Speight, MSN, FNP-BC: Board-certified Nurse Practitioner in the Structural Heart Program at Stanford Health Care in California. Martina established her role on the Stanford multidisciplinary heart team in 2008 where she coordinated research efforts and greatly contributed to program development. In her role as Nurse Practitioner, Martina Speight has become a clinical expert in the care and management of patients undergoing treatment for Valvular Heart Disease. She is passionate about leading efforts that improve program outcomes, efficiencies, and patient experiences. Martina has contributed to multiple publications and speaks nationally about Heart Valve Disease and Structural Heart Program development.

Joan Michaels, RN, MSN, CPHQ: Director of Cardiac Registries for the American College of Cardiology in D.C. Joan brings more than 30 years of experience in cardiology as a registered nurse and expertise overseeing the STS/ACC TVT Registry.