The VCSQI Winter Quarterly Meeting brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, and patients in an inspiring exchange of knowledge and experiences. This newsletter highlights the key moments, including groundbreaking research presentations, heartfelt patient stories, and discussions on advancing cardiac care. Thank you to everyone who made this meeting a success!
A Message from Eddie Fonner
Eddie Fonner kicked off the meeting with a warm welcome and housekeeping notes. Attendees were encouraged to actively participate through the chat feature or by unmuting to share comments and questions. Eddie emphasized the importance of capturing attendance and ensuring a smooth virtual experience.
Continuing Education Opportunities
Sherri White, VCSQI’s Quality Improvement Advisor, shared updates on the CME and CEU programs offered through UVA’s CME department. These programs continue to provide valuable educational opportunities, including maintenance credits for healthcare professionals.
Highlights from Dr. Alex Wisniewski’s Presentation
Dr. Alex Wisniewski, a third-year resident at UVA and accomplished researcher, delivered an engaging presentation titled “Creating a National Presence: The Impact of VCSQI on Advancing Literature in Cardiac Surgery.” During his talk, Dr. Wisniewski highlighted the immense opportunities provided by VCSQI’s collaborative research environment. Key takeaways included:
National Impact: VCSQI’s collaborative structure enables groundbreaking research on large patient datasets, enhancing the validity and impact of studies.
Research Contributions: Over the past two years, numerous publications have emerged from the collaborative, addressing critical topics such as socioeconomic distress, racial disparities, and surgical outcomes.
Resident Involvement: VCSQI offers trainees unique opportunities to present at national conferences, collaborate with experts, and contribute to high-impact publications.
Future Directions: Upcoming initiatives include leveraging long-term data, integrating transcatheter valve registry (TVT) data, and exploring advanced comparative studies in cardiac care.
Patient Panel Highlights
One of the most impactful moments of the evening was the Patient Panel, where participants shared their personal cardiac journeys. The panel offered invaluable insights into patient experiences, emphasizing the importance of active listening and addressing psychosocial aspects of recovery. Feedback from attendees underscored the significance of these stories:
Sylvia Atkins: “Thank you all for sharing your stories. So amazing and stories that need to be told. Keep sharing. So meaningful.”
Sharmaine McCoy: “Your testimonies give me perspective and ways I can improve my care. Active listening and incorporating the psychosocial aspects of your healing journey. Thank you!”
J’nay Harshbarger: “Incredible. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences.”
Should a patient panel be included a standing topic at a Quarterly Meeting each year?
0%Yes
0%No
Don’s Blog
As part of the meeting, Eddie Fonner shared a link to Don’s blog chronicling his cardiac event, procedure, and recovery journey. This resource serves as a testament to resilience and the importance of sharing recovery stories: Inspired Heart New Beginnings Blog.
Open Forum and Closing Remarks
The meeting concluded with an open forum where attendees asked questions and shared insights. Eddie Fonner and Sherri White expressed their gratitude for the engaging discussions and the dedication of everyone involved.
Thank You for Participating
Thank you to all attendees, presenters, and panelists for making this Winter Quarterly Meeting a success. Your contributions are vital to advancing the mission of VCSQI and improving cardiac care.
We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting!
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