2nd Annual Course: Heart of the Matter: Case-Based and Hands-On Experience for the Echo Lab Team

Saturday, September 13, 2025, 7:45 AM - 5:30 PM, Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick, NJ

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While significant advancements have been made in cardiology, early recognition and accurate assessment of cardiovascular conditions continue to present challenges. Echocardiography plays a critical role in diagnosing and managing a wide spectrum of cardiac disorders, including heart failure, valvular disease, pericardial conditions, and emerging applications in cardio-oncology and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted imaging.

This symposium is designed to address professional practice gaps by providing a comprehensive, case-based, and hands-on approach to echocardiographic assessment. Through expert-led discussions and interactive workshops, participants will enhance their proficiency in two-dimensional, Doppler, and three-dimensional echocardiography; explore emerging imaging modalities such as left atrial strain and AI-assisted interpretation; and refine their skills in standardized imaging protocols. Special focus areas include the recognition and quantification of heart failure, valvular disease assessment, pericardial pathology, and the role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in clinical decision-making.

In addition, small group, hands-on workshops will be offered to instruct providers in becoming proficient in 3D- and strain imaging.

By the end of this symposium, attendees will be better equipped to integrate echocardiographic findings into patient care, improve diagnostic accuracy, and contribute to advancing cardiovascular imaging practices.

Target Audience
This activity is intended for physicians, sonographers, advanced practice providers, nurses, pharmacists, residents, fellows, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and other allied healthcare professionals involved in the echocardiographic assessment and management of cardiovascular disease. Specialties that may benefit from this program include cardiology, internal medicine, anesthesiology, critical care, emergency medicine, neurology, and hospital medicine.

Activity Director
Kameswari Maganti, MD, FASE
Professor of Medicine
Section Chief, Non-Invasive Cardiology
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Director of Echocardiography Lab,Cardiodynamics and Vascular Laboratory
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
New Brunswick, NJ

Activity Co-Directors
Alicia Wright, RCS, FASE
Supervisor of Echocardiography, Cardiodynamics Laboratory
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
New Brunswick, NJ

Grace Casaclang-Verzosa, MD, MBA, FASE
Administrative Director, Non-Invasive Cardiology
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
New Brunswick, NJ

Activity Coordinator
Choula Panchal
Supervisor, EKG/Stress
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
New Brunswick, NJ

1. Apply the latest evidence-based approaches to diagnose and manage heart failure using echocardiography
2. Accurately quantify valvular heart disease severity and integrate findings into treatment decisions
3. Identify and evaluate pericardial diseases using echocardiographic techniques.
4. Utilize emerging imaging modalities, including strain imaging, 3D echocardiography, and AI-driven applications.
5. Implement guideline-based algorithms for cardiovascular disease assessment and management.
6. Recognize the role of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in acute and critical care settings
7. Develop proficiency in 3D echocardiography, strain imaging and analysis techniques
8. Review quality assurance principles in echocardiographic imaging, including safety, reproducibility, and equipment maintenance
9. Describe the integral role of nursing professionals in the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) lab to enhance procedural efficiency and safety
10. Explain the hemodynamic principles of shock and demonstrate echocardiographic strategies for assessing patients supported with mechanical circulatory devices

Registration Fees
Physician	$75
Other Healthcare Professional	$60
Rutgers Health/RWJBarnabas Health Faculty/Staff	$45
Resident/Fellow/Healthcare Student *	Complimentary

* Registration must be accompanied by program director’s letter confirming resident/fellow/student status. Please upload your letter when registering or email it to [email protected].

Registrants may be asked to furnish documentation confirming their employment status in order to be eligible for a reduced rate. If it is determined that a registrant does not meet the eligibility criteria, the registrant will be required to pay the necessary tuition fee.

Registration fee includes continental breakfast, refreshment breaks, lunch, continuing education credits, and course material. Registration can only be accepted through our secure online website until September 10, 2025. Registration will not be confirmed until payment is received. If payment is not received in time for the activity, Rutgers reserves the right to cancel the registration.

Pre-registration is recommended. On-site registration will be accommodated on a space available basis.

Confirmation
Once registered, you will receive an confirmation email.  As the activity dates approaches, you will received additional information to assist you with your plans to participate in this activity.

Cancellation/Refund
A full refund, less a $25 cancellation fee, will be granted if notice is received no later than September 12, 2025. Refunds will not be issued for any cancellation received after September 12, 2025, and cannot be given for no shows. To cancel, email your cancellation request to Rutgers Center for Continuing and Outreach Education by email at [email protected].

For any other questions, concerns, or if you require special arrangements to attend this activity, please contact Rutgers Center for Continuing and Outreach Education by email at [email protected].

Rutgers and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital reserve the right to modify program content, faculty and program activities. It also reserves the right to cancel the activity if necessary. If the activity is cancelled, liability is limited to the registration fee.

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians: Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences designates this live activity for a maximum of 7.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurses: This activity is awarded 7.5 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should only claim those contact hours actually spent participating in the activity.

Physician Associates: NCCPA accepts certificates of participation for educational activities approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by ACCME.

Sonographers: An application has been submitted to Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) for approval.

Method of Participation
In order to meet the learning objectives and receive continuing education credit, participants are expected to register for the activity, check in at the registration desk, attend the program, and complete the online evaluation at the conclusion of the activity. A CE certificate will be emailed to participants upon completion of the online evaluation.

Course Material

In an effort to provide the most complete materials to attendees and conserve resources, PDF versions of the lecture slides will be made available online to registered attendees. Additional information will be provided in future confirmation communication.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ (7.50 hours), ANCC Contact Hours (7.50 hours), General Attendance (7.50 hours)

Location
Zimmerli Art Museum | Rutgers
71 Hamilton Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901


Parking
Complimentary parking will be available in various Rutgers' lots around the museum. Participants will receive additional information in their confirmation materials.

  

Justin W. Ady, MD, RPVI, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Medical Director, Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 

Chonyang L. Albert, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Medical Director, Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Mechanical Circulatory Support, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital  

Ashok Chaudhary, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Program Director, Interventional Cardiology Fellowship, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Sasha-Ann East, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Yasmin Hamirani, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Director of Structural Heart Imaging and Innovations, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital  

Sheila Hernandez, RN, BSN, PCCN, Cardiac Nurse, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Andreana Jones, RCS, Cardiac Sonographer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Audrey McIntyre, RN, BSN, Clinical Coordinator, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Lydia McMurray, RDCS, Cardiac Sonographer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

James S. Mills, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Director of Preventive Cardiology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School 

Sharada Muralidhar, RVT, Vascular Lab Supervisor, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Ekta Patel, MS, RDCS, RVT, Cardiac Sonographer, Monmouth Medical Center

Mariah Patterson, RCS, Cardiac Sonographer, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Julio Perez-Mego, RCS, RCCS, RVT, Cardiac Sonographer, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Partho Sengupta, MD, Henry Rutgers Professor of Cardiology, Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hypertension, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; Chief of Cardiac Services, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

Daniel Shindler, MD, Professor of Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Nidhi Tripathi, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director, Cardio-Oncology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Esad Vucic, MD, PhD, Director, Cardiac Imaging, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center; Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School

Yanting Wang, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Director, Cardio-Obstetrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Alicia Wright, RCS, FASE, Supervisor of Echocardiography, Cardiodynamics Laboratory, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital

 

 

Mitigation of Relevant Financial Relationships

The relevant financial relationships of all individuals who affect the content of continuing education activities and any discussion of off-label/investigational uses will be disclosed to the audience at the time of the activity.

Saturday, September 13, 2025

Exhibit Opportunity Available

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Exhibit at this Event

This activity is jointly provided by

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Department of Medicine
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Hypertension

and

RWJBarnabas Health
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Division of Cardiology