COURSE DESCRIPTION
This six-week course is designed for new cardiovascular (CV) APPs working in heart failure (HF), or for general CV APPs who wish to expand their HF knowledge. It is led by MedAxiom's APP expert Ginger Biesbrock and features heart failure experts Sandra (Sandy) McCrary, Ballad Health, Michelle Weaver, Ohio State University and Jennifer Zhang as guest instructors. The course incorporates video, textbook, and online learning to cover these essential CV APP topics:
- Module 1: Introduction to Heart Failure
- Module 2: GDMT Management and Novel Therapies
- Module 3: SCD Prevention and Advanced Therapies
- Module 4: Patient Volume Management Strategy
- Module 5: Cardiomyopathies and Genetic Considerations
- Module 6: Heart Failure Case Studies
View Course Syllabus
COURSE GOALS
For APPs: This curriculum is designed to help new APPs immerse themselves in clinical cardiology specific to Heart Failure – to understand what they are experiencing in the clinics and hospital and provide a didactic review of the pathophysiology, symptoms, diagnosis, therapies and clinical decision making.
For Employers of APPs: This curriculum will help jump-start and support your APPs’ on-the-job learning and prove their level of competency in a quantitative manner.
FACULTY
Ginger Biesbrock, DSc, PA-C, FACC
Executive Vice President of Care Transformation, MedAxiom
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Sandra McCrary, MPAS, PA-C
Sandra McCrary, MPAS, PA-C received her bachelor’s degree from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN and her master’s degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. She spent the early years of her career as a physician assistant in Family Practice, Internal Medicine and Neurosurgery. She began her career in general cardiology 26 years ago and specializes in heart failure and lipidology. She has served as preceptor of cardiology rotations for family practice residents, PA and DO students. She currently serves as clinical director of Ballad CVA Heart Institute Heart Failure Program as well as the Ballad CVA Heart Institute Lipid Clinic. She is a member of the American College of Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, National Lipid Association, American Academy of Physician Assistants and Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants.
Michelle Weaver
Michelle is a board-certified nurse practitioner, who graduated with her Masters of Science degree as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner from Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio. She has been a nurse for 24+ years and a nurse practitioner for the last 16 years. She obtained her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from University of Alabama-Huntsville in May 2020. She has worked as a nurse practitioner in cardiac surgery, pulmonary, and for the last 7 years has worked inpatient and outpatient in the advanced heart failure and heart transplant program. She has several publications and has presented podium talks and posters at state and national conferences throughout her career. She is an active committee member within the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center being the co-chair of Nurse Practitioner Council and Advanced Practice Provider Clinical Advancement Program as well as nationally with the Heart Failure Society of American with Women in Heart Failure Committee. Professional affiliations include the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau, and the Heart Failure Society of America.
Qiuhua Jennifer Zhang, PA-C
Qiuhua Zhang, received a bachelor’s degree in medicine at HuNan Medical College (Central South University) in China, a Master’s degree in science at Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Science and a Master’s degree in Physician Assistant at University Of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2018. She has spent her research career in angiogenesis and neovascularization; a clinical career specializing in general cardiology, genetic cardiomyopathy and heart failure. I have published 28 papers focused on vascular disease. Currently, she works at Sutherland Cardiology Clinic, focusing on genetic cardiomyopathy and heart failure.
instructor disclosures
THE METHODOLOGY
Each of the six weekly lessons has a 60-minute didactic video. This course can be taken at the student’s own pace but must be completed within 12 months of starting the course. Students must complete the course evaluation to receive CME credits and a certificate of completion.
COURSE CREDITS
Total CME Credit Value
Total CME Credit Value: 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Accreditation
The International Institute for Continuing Medical Education, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Designation
The International Institute for Continuing Medical Education, Inc., in direct providership, designates this online enduring activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Course MATERIALS
REQUIRED MATERIALS
PROVIDED MATERIALS
- Electronic Links Available in each Module: ACC/AHA guidelines, Online Articles, Supporting Slides, YouTube Videos, PDF
QUESTIONS AND ASSISTANCE
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