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Thanks to Rob Niebler for the above ACTION swag image featured at the Glacier National Park! Email us pics of you wearing or with ACTON swag!
Happy Fall to All!We have many exciting updates to share, such as new pediatric Impella education materials for Providers and Patients/Families, a debrief of our incredibly successful first VAD Bootcamp, and many new publications and other tools. As we move into the holiday season, we reflect on our continued appreciation and thankfulness for the engagement and collaboration from all stakeholders that continue to excel our research, quality improvement, education, and advocacy efforts. Regards,
ACTION Executive Leadership
November 7–10, 2025 | New Orleans, LA
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
More Info
ACTION @ 2025 AHA Scientific Sessions
Moderated Poster Presentation
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Ventricular Assist Device-Associated Infection in ChildrenSupport Madeline Townsend, et al. in New Orleans
Monday, November 10 from 12:57 – 1:02 pm CST
Our inaugural VAD Bootcamp was a great success!
The Planning Committee initially anticipated 60–80 attendees, and we were delighted to have 150 attendees from around the world! The immersive one-day training combined hands-on experience with didactic learning focused on Ventricular Assist Devices (VADs). Participants rotated through multiple device stations, engaged in challenging case presentations, and took part in an interactive Ask the VAD Experts panel discussion. Attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of VAD management, from device selection to troubleshooting complex scenarios, specifically for the Berlin Heart EXCOR, HeartMate 3, Impella, and CentriMag/PediMag pumps. We are already looking forward to the next one!
A huge THANK YOU to our host center, industry sponsors, and planning committee!
Jon Edelson
Barbara Elias
Andrea Fasbinder
Nora Hammond
Stephanie Hope
Tiffany Hunter
Julia Jenkins
Anna Joong
Grace Macek
Jennie McAllister
Mandi McCormick
Katie Montgomery
Jenna Murray
Tanya Perry
Kriti Puri
Mary Raffel
Allison Reichhold
Kerry Schindler
Lauren Smyth
Joey Spinner
Kathryn Stack
Amanda Thompson
Courtney Ventresco
The Impella® Heart Pump Patient Education Handbook is an interactive guide designed to help patients (and their caregivers) understand what to expect during their Impella® journey. It serves as both an educational resource and a personal journal, providing space to record milestones, questions, and reflections throughout the experience. Developed in collaboration with Johnson & Johnson MedTech, this new handbook bridges an important gap in pediatric heart failure education, offering information for those supported by an Impella® device. The aim is to help families feel more confident and prepared throughout hospitalization and recovery. The handbook includes:
• Easy-to-follow explanations and diagrams of how the Impella®works
• Guidance on the procedure and ICU stay
• Tips for self-care, nutrition, and emotional wellbeing
• QR codes linking to videos, animations, and additional handouts on MyACTIONEducation.org Download now! Printed copies coming soon...
Impella® Algorithms & Care Guide Available
The Harmonization Committee has finalized the Impella® Algorithms and Care Guide for Providers. Thank you to our working group members and contributing centers for their collaboration on this important resource. Two versions are available:
• Full page/single page version
• Foldable card version (printable front/back with accordion fold) Electronic files are available on the Provider side of MAE. Printed cards, co-branded with Johnson & Johnson MedTech, will also be distributed to centers by your Impella
representatives. Download Now
This handout is designed to help patients and families better understand what a VAD is, why it’s used, and what to expect. This easy-to-read guide covers:
• What a VAD does and how it supports the heart
• Types of VADs used in children
• When and why a VAD might be recommended
• Potential risks and things to watch for Whether a child is preparing for a VAD, currently supported by one, or the family simply wants to learn more, this resource can help them feel informed and supported. Download Now
Patient Handout on Cardiac Monitoring After Gene Therapy for DMD
A new patient/family handout is now available to support post-infusion cardiac care following gene therapy for DMD. This will help families understand what to watch for, when to seek help, and what follow-up tests are needed following infusion.
It builds on critical clinical guidance published ACTION – “Taking ACTION to detect myocarditis related to recombinant gene transfer therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy: Consensus recommendations for cardiac surveillance”.
Patient Handout Highlights:
• What symptoms to monitor
• Suggested schedule for troponin checks, ECGs, and heart exams
• Important things to discuss with your care team before infusion Download Now
Fontan ACTION Plan for Patients
The ACTION Fontan Committee has a new resource for patients and families – the Fontan ACTION Plan for Patients! This guide covers:
• Tips for staying healthy (exercise, diet, mental health)
• Warning signs to watch for that may mean it’s time to talk with your cardiologist
• When and why to see a Heart Failure Specialist
• Recommended tests by age Check out our blog post here and please share widely with your networks and organizations.
Registry Database Updates
Simplified Clinical data as of October 1, 2025
Total # Patients Enrolled:
961 Admission/Recently Discharged: 577
SGLT2: 500
Meds Titration: 49
CardioMEMS: 71
Apple Watch: 24
If you need access to enter data, or have any questions please email us.
Open Positions in ACTION Centers
Children’s Wisconsin and Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WILooking for: A board-certified or board-eligible Pediatric Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation Physician The Opportunity: This full-time faculty position is available at the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor, commensurate with experience and academic achievement. While prior experience is
preferred, we welcome applications from recent fellowship graduates. Leadership opportunities are available for qualified candidates with an interest in program development and academic advancement.
To Apply: See full position details and email Peter Bartz, MD Professor, Pediatrics & Medicine (Cardiology), Medical College of Wisconsin, Chief, Pediatric CardiologyLeigh Gabrielle Herma Endowed Chair and Co-Director, Herma Heart Institute More info: See full position listing
Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Therapies (PACT) Medical Director
Palo Alto, CALooking for: A board-certified Pediatric Cardiologist to join The Division of Cardiology in the Department of Pediatrics at Stanford University as Associate Professor or Professor in the University Medical Line or Clinician Educator Line. Interested in candidates with expertise in pediatric heart failure, VADs, and heart transplantation, to serve as Medical Director of the Pediatric Advanced Cardiac Therapies (PACT) program at Stanford University. The Opportunity: The candidate will lead the PACT program at Lucile Packard Children’s
Hospital (LPCH), with responsibilities for clinical care, teaching, and academic program development in the fields of heart failure and heart transplantation including ventricular assist devices. The PACT program provides comprehensive care to children with all stages of heart failure. We perform approximately 25 heart transplants and 15 VAD implants annually, with a complex mix of patients and outstanding outcomes. More info & to Apply: See full position details and email Dr. Jeffrey Feinstein, Search Chair via c/o Rosa Ciprian at crosa2@stanford.edu
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