Check it out!

NEW! — Member of the Month

We would like to recognize ACTION Members who are going above and beyond to improve outcomes for pediatric VAD & heart failure patients.

Nominations are open to ALL members of ACTION (clinicians, patients, caregivers, researchers, industry & regulatory collaborators, etc.)

Please submit March Nominations by March 17^th. 
 Nominations will be due by the 15th of each month moving forward.

We will pick three ACTION members each month!

Members of the Month will be highlighted in the Pulse and receive special ACTION swag! Nominators will also be entered into a raffle for a special prize. 

New Protocol: VAD Weaning Explant Protocol 

The Harmonization Committee has released a new protocol for ACTION clinicians. Download and review the new ACTION VAD Weaning for Explant/Recovery document. 

This protocol, along with others, is located on MyActionEducation.org under Providers > ACTION Library > 2 Resources > Protocols and on Basecamp.

Please email Lauren Smyth with any feedback or suggested edits.

ACTION @ ISHLT:  Look Who’s Talking

1. Thurs. April 28th, 9:45–10 am  |  Sebastian Tume, MD: "Characteristics and outcomes of patients supported with Impella percutaneous VAD device at pediatric institutions: Action collaborative Experience, Sebastian Tume, et al.”

2. Thurs. April 28th, 5:27–5:33 pm  |  Justin Godown, MD: "A Novel Approach To Pediatric Heart Failure Quality Improvement Within The ACTION Network, Justin Godown, et al."

3. Fri. April 29th, 8:15-8:30 am  |  Neha Bansal, MD: " The Initial Analysis of Infectious Adverse Events in Pediatric Ventricular Assist Devices Reported to the ACTION Registry, Neha Bansal et al.”

4. Fri. April 29th, 1:15–2:45 pm  |  Sharon Chen, MD: "Outcomes After Initial Heart Failure Consultation In Fontan Patients, Sharon Chen et al."

5. Fri. April 29th, 5–6 pm  |  Neha Bansal, MD: "Reducing Donor Acceptance Practice Variation – Learnings from a Discussion Forum, Neha Bansal et al.”

6. Fri. April 29th, 5–6 pm  |  John Dykes, MD: "Inter-Rater Reliability of Total Cardiac Volume Measurement for Heart Transplantation: An Action Collaborative Study, John Dykes et al."

7. Fri. April 29th, 5–6 pm  |  Jacqueline Lee, MD: "Outcomes of Intracorporeal Continuous, Paracorporeal Continuous, and Paracorporeal Pulsatile Ventricular Assist Devices in Pediatric Patients 10-30 kg, Jacqueline Lee, et al.”

8. Fri. April 29th, 5–6 pm  |  Deepa Mokshagundam: "Ventricular Assist Device in Pediatric Restrictive and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: An Advanced Cardiac Therapies Improving Outcomes Network (ACTION) Analysis, Deepa Mokshagundam, et al."

9. Fri. April 29th, 5–6 pm  |  Kathleen Simpson, MD: "Feasibility of Implementation of a Heart Failure Communication Checklist in the Multi-Center Action Network, Kathleen Simpson et al.” 

PATIENT FAMILY STORY
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Finding Heart — Juliana's Story

Juliana’s life started with a difficult journey. At 11 days old, Juliana waited for a new heart while her mother, Riki, fought breast cancer. Together as mother and daughter, they faced unexpected challenges, braved mounting treatments, endured long waits and recovery. Now, Riki shares their story in thanks to the community of support they found along the way.

Riki and her daughter Juliana fought their battles together. Riki was pregnant with Juliana when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Juliana was born with a malformed heart and spent the first weeks of her life battling against incredible odds. Through treatments, waitlists, surgeries, and recovery, Riki and Juliana now share the connection of life and joy.

We thank Riki & Juliana and their family for sharing their story in an effort to promote advocacy, support, and awareness! 

If you have a story to share, please contact us or visit our stories webpage to submit it!

Open Positions in ACTION Centers

The Hospital for Sick Children
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Looking for: Paediatric Heart Function and Cardiac Transplant Cardiologist

Responsibilities: The primary role of the Heart Function and Transplant cardiologist includes the care of patients with cardiomyopathies, heart failure, transplant, CHD, and VADs. The successful candidate would also be expected to conduct academic work and/or quality improvement, depending on their areas of interest.

Candidates must be eligible for licensure with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario and eligible for an academic appointment at the University of Toronto. Rank and salary based on qualifications and experience.

To Apply: To learn more and apply, see the full job posting. 
Email Contact: Dr. Mike Seed, Head, Division of Cardiology, Department of Paediatrics,
The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Ave. Toronto, ON Canada, M5G 1X8

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta
Atlanta, GA

Looking for: VAD RN Clinical Nurse Coordinator

Responsibilities: The Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Nurse Coordinators are specialized registered nurses, in an ambulatory and inpatient care setting, that facilitates the care and education of VAD patients and their families. From initial contact, through the evaluation for VAD implant, during the pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative periods as well as continual outpatient follow-up. The VAD Nurse Coordinator ensures continuity of care across the VAD/Heart Transplant continuum.

To Apply: To learn more and apply, see the full job posting. 
Email Contact: Diane Long, CPNP AC/PC; Lead APP Advanced Cardiac Therapies

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA

Looking for: VAD Program NP Coordinator

Responsibilities: CHOP is seeking an NP for the position of VAD Coordinator for our pediatric VAD Program. CHOP is a high-volume, high-acuity VAD program implanting multiple device types in children and is seeking a dynamic, creative, and collaborative individual for this position. The position will entail oversight of inpatient and outpatient VAD implants, program development, quality improvement, research, and participation in ACTION. The VAD Coordinator will work closely with the program's medical and surgical leadership to provide optimal outcomes and innovate in patient care.

To Apply: To learn more and apply, see the full job posting.
Email Contact: Matthew O'Connor, MD

For more information, contact  info@actionlearningnetwork.org.    

actionlearningnetwork.org