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Spotted: our favorite ACTION umbrella making the rounds this season. Spring showers didn't slow us down!
Looking Ahead to FY27!It was so nice to see so many of you at our spring meetings! Those conversations and connections helped shape our FY27 priorities in a meaningful way. As we look ahead, we’re excited to align around our shared focused on innovation, growth, and longer lives. In the coming year, our vision centers on the net prolongation of life – continuing to advance solutions that help patients live longer while also improving their quality of care and outcomes. We’re looking forward to prioritizing innovation, strengthening our tools and
partnerships, and building on what’s working to drive meaningful growth, all while keeping longer healthier lives as our guiding measure of success. Thank you, as always, for your collaboration and dedication to improving the lives of the patients we serve. Hope you have a great summer!
ACTION Executive Leadership
Navigating Device Trials Session 2 - July 2026 (exact date TBD)
Sign up to be added to the primary mailing list for curriculum communications and updates.
Meet our Newest ACTION Team Member!
Tori joined ACTION/Device Nexus this past May as a Data Management Specialist.Why did you want to join ACTION?
I wanted to dive deeper into the data and operational side of research while still contributing to improving patient outcomes. ACTION gave me the opportunity to combine my clinical research background with data that helps support advancements in medicine. What’s your favorite part about ACTION?
My favorite part about ACTION is the team's shared dedication to improving patient outcomes and the collaborative environment. Everyone is incredibly supportive and willing to help one another, which has created an exceptional learning and team-oriented atmosphere. What are some things that you enjoy doing outside of work?
In my free time I love playing soccer and volleyball, and alternating playing sports with reading, art, and even recently, crocheting! I love planning trips to travel to new places and trying ice cream in every city we visit! When things are calm, I love spending time with family and friends right here in Cincinnati!
Meet our Littlest ACTION Team Member!
Congratulations to the Smyth family!Lauren Smyth, our ACTION Director of Operations, welcomed her daughter, Grace Johanna Smyth on May 20, 2026! Grace weighed 6 lbs., 13.7 oz., and both mom and baby are happy and healthy at home. Lauren will be on maternity leave through mid-August.
Spring 2026 HighlightsThis past Spring, ACTION members came together across several meetings and events to connect, collaborate, and build momentum across the network!
We kicked things off with the first session of our Navigating Device Trials series in April, featuring guest speaker Kolaleh Eskandian and setting the stage for future sessions focused on regulatory pathways and clinical trial design. At ISHLT in Toronto, we hosted both a happy hour and a discussion-based meeting, bringing members together to reflect on the past year and generate ideas for new initiatives and collaborations. We also had 10 abstracts presented – congratulations to all authors!
- In May, the ACTION Leadership Summit brought leaders together in Cincinnati for a half-day strategic planning session focused on ACTION’s next phase of growth, including efforts around registry development, trial infrastructure, and future research priorities.
- We also partnered with the Midwest Pediatric Device Consortium for the Pediatric Device Showcase (May 15), which brought together clinicians, innovators, and industry partners to highlight advancements in pediatric cardiovascular trials a and foster new connections to move the field forward.
NEW!
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Practices
Complete EP-HF Survey by June 15th
ACTION's new workgroup is focused on electrophysiology in heart failure. The group is beginning with a survey to better understand current Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) practices across ACTION sites. We encourage participation from electrophysiologists and heart failure/cardiomyopathy cardiologists at each site.
Please complete the survey by Monday, June 15th .
If you would like to get involved or receive communications for this workgroup, email us!
Celebrating 5 years of the MD Registry!
Five years ago, ACTION launched the MD Registry to better understand cardiac disease in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Today, more than 1,500 patients are part of that effort. Together, we’ve made meaningful progress in understanding how cardiac disease develops and progresses in DMD – reinforcing the importance of early recognition and ongoing care. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey!
Check out our recent blog posts, spotlighting two pioneers who have helped transform the landscape of mechanical circulatory support: Dr. Rich Wampler & Kurt Dasse, PhD
NEW & UPDATED Harmonized Protocols
- VAD Recovery Protocols (NEW!)
Featuring information on Weaning & Explant Phases, Echocardiograms, and the Catheterization Labs, and also including a VAD RAMP Hemodynamics (fill in) chart for both CF VADs & Berlin Heart. (Also located at ACTION Library > 2 Resources > Bedside Tools) - Fontan VAD Management Protocol (UPDATED!)
- VAD and Heart Transplantation in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Guidance for Providers (NEW!)
- Impella CP with SmartAssist, and 5.5 with SmartAssist, Management in Pediatric Patient (NEW!)
NEW! CPR Algorithms & Care Guide Available
This pocket resource guide is designed to support clinicians responding to emergencies in patients supported with HeartMate 3™, CentriMag™/PediMag™, Berlin Heart EXCOR®, and Impella® devices. Inside you’ll find: - Step by step CPR decision pathways tailored to each VAD
- Key assessments for perfusion, device function, and troubleshooting
- Guidance for identifying both VAD related and non-VAD causes of acute change
- QR codes linking to additional emergency care resources on MyACTIONEducation.org
Download Now
Registry Database Updates
Simplified Clinical data as of June 1, 2026
Total # Patients Enrolled:
1,239 Admission/Recently Discharged: 792
SGLT2: 662
CardioMEMS: 81
Wearables: 27
If you need access to enter data, or have any questions please email us.
Open Positions in ACTION Centers
Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital
Hollywood, FLLooking for: Transplant Cardiologist The Opportunity: The Heart Institute at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital (JDCH) is seeking a full-time pediatric transplant cardiologist to join an established team of specialists. The Heart Transplant Program started in 2010 and has become the second busiest program in the state of Florida. The ideal candidate would have expertise in managing advanced heart failure and cardiac transplant patients, in addition to use of mechanical circulatory support
(MCS)/ventricular assist devices (VAD). The physician will collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team of cardiologists and advanced practice providers specializing in heart failure, VAD, and transplantation, offering comprehensive care to pediatric and young adult patients. Patient care responsibilities include hospital service, outpatient clinics, and periodic satellite clinic coverage. Candidates should have an interest and passion for teaching, as they will be involved in training of the next generation of physicians with Memorial Hospital System’s ACGME-accredited Residency and newly accredited Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Programs. Research interests are encouraged and supported. The physician must be board-certified in Pediatric Cardiology and have completed advanced fellowship training in heart failure and transplantation.
To Apply: Email Lana ShughMore Info: See full position listing
Levine Children’s Hospital
Charlotte, NCLooking for: Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist The Opportunity: The Pediatric Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplant Cardiologist provide comprehensive care for children and adolescents with advanced heart failure, ventricular assist devices (VADs), and those undergoing evaluation for and management after heart transplantation. This physician will be a core member of a multidisciplinary advanced cardiac therapies team, delivering high‑quality inpatient and outpatient care while contributing to program development,
education, and research.
Position highlights include provide specialized inpatient and outpatient care for pediatric patients with advanced heart failure, cardiomyopathy, congenital and acquired heart disease, and post‑transplant conditions; lead and participate in heart transplant and mechanical circulatory support (MCS/VAD) evaluations, selection, and listing processes; manage pre‑ and post‑heart transplant patients, including immunosuppression, rejection surveillance, and long‑term outcomes; collaborate closely with cardiac surgery, critical care, transplant surgery, infectious disease, immunology, nephrology, pharmacy, nursing, social work, and allied health professionals; participate in on‑call coverage for advanced heart failure, transplant, and mechanical support services. The position offers the opportunity to practice within a collaborative, high‑acuity academic
environment dedicated to innovation, family‑centered care, and clinical excellence. To Apply: Email Lexy Doane, Physician Recruiter
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