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International Heart Education Consortium

UT Southwestern is proud to partner with the University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA) and other institutions in the region to strengthen education, training, and research in cardiovascular disease. This collaborative initiative is designed to equip cardiologists-in-training and non-cardiologist with the knowledge and confidence they would need to manage the rising burden of cardiovascular diseases in the region.

Together with our colleagues at UNZA, we have developed a dynamic virtual training program that includes regular lectures, electrocardiogram seminar and a comprehensive library of recorded sessions and education materials. We are extremely grateful to the UTSW Adult and Pediatric Cardiology Faculty and Fellows who have generously volunteered their time to support and mentor trainees at UNZA. Their commitment id helping shape the next generation of cardiovascular providers in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

Dr. Strasserking rounding on the wards with UNZA Internal Medicine Residents at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Children’s Health team visiting the National Heart Hospital, strengthening the UTSW and University of Zambia’s educational partnership

 
 

Leadership

Headshot of Dr. Lorrita Kabwe-Douglas

Dr. Lorrita Kabwe is Zambia’s first Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and currently serves as Chief of Adult Cardiology at the National Heart Hospital. She specializes in advanced cardiac procedures such as coronary angiograms, stenting, pacemaker implantation, and minimally invasive valve surgeries. With multiple degrees and fellowships from institutions in Zambia, South Africa, and the UK, she is widely recognized for her academic and professional excellence. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Kabwe is a dedicated educator, examiner, researcher, and recently appointed course coordinator for Zambia’s new Master of Specialized Medicine in Adult Cardiology

Dr. Lorrita KabweChief of Adult Cardiology, National Heart Hospital
Headshot of Dr. Agnes Mtaja

Dr. Agnes Mtaja is a Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Cardiologist with over 15 years of experience. She is the Medical Director at Zambia’s first cardiac institute and played a key role in founding the National Heart Hospital and Paediatric Cardiology Training Program. Dr. Mtaja has led national efforts on rheumatic heart disease and paediatric echocardiography training.

She is also an honorary lecturer at two major Zambian universities and has extensive outreach experience. Her research focuses on congenital and rheumatic heart disease. Dr. Mtaja chairs the Paediatric NCD Technical Working Group and is known for her leadership, communication skills, and ability to coordinate teams nationally and internationally.

Dr. Agnes MtajaPaediatric Cardiologist
 
 

Schedules

  • 2026-2027 Adult Cardiology Schedule
    DateTopicLecturer
    9/10/2026 Cardiac Disease in Pregnancy Fiona Strasserking, M.D.
    10/1/2026 Chest Pain Rafic Berbarie, M.D.
    11/5/2026 Acute Coronary Syndrome Anezi Uzendu, M.D.
    12/3/2026 Heart Failure Management Jeomi Okwara, M.D.
    1/7/2027 Cardiogenic Shock Nicholas Hendren, M.D.
    2/4/2027 Rheumatic Hear Disease Katy Lonergan, M.D.
    3/4/2027 Advanced Lipids Reynaldo Sanchez, M.D.
    4/1/2027 Cardiomyopathies James MacNamara, M.D.
    5/6/2027 Aortic Valve Stenosis Gloria Ayuba, D.O.
    6/3/2027 Tachyarrhythmia Nimesh Patel, M.D.
    7/1/2027 Bradyarrhythmia James Daniels, M.D.
    8/5/2027 Atrial Fibrillation Spencer Carter, M.D.
    9/2/2027 Diseases of the Pericardium Sina Rahmani, M.D.
    10/7/2027 Pulmonary Emboli E. Ashley Hardin, M.D.
    11/4/2027 Infective Endocarditis Anish Bhatt, M.D.
  • 2025-2026 Pediatric Cardiology Schedule
    DateTopicLecturer
    Jun. 2025 Introductory VSD Abhay Divekar, M.D.
    Jul. 2025 PDA & ASD Melinda Cory, M.D.
    Aug. 2025 VSD and Balanced AVSD Ernest Naturinda, M.D.,
    Joscyln Patrick, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC, and Mirela Dugulescu, Cardiology Sonographer
    Sept. 2025 Basic Cardiac Physiology Colin Kane, M.D., and Mirela Dugulescu, Cardiology Sonographer
    Oct. 2025 Normal Cardiac Anatomy Priya Bhaskar, M.D.
    Nov. 2025 Cardiac Embryology & Genetics Hoang Nguyen, M.D.
    Dec. 2025 Cardiovascular Medications Javi Lasa, M.D., and Vidhi Makanji, M.D.
    Jan. 2026 Congestive Heart Failure Parag Jain, M.D.
    Feb. 2026 Pulmonary Physiology and Heart/Lung Interaction Ramya Deepthi Billa, M.D., and
    Joshua Wolovits, M.D.
    Mar. 2026 Basics of EKG/Holter/Basic arrhythmia interpretation Hoang Nguyen, M.D.
    Apr. 2026 Basic Cardiac Catheterization Abhay Divekar, M.D.
    May 2026 Topic TBD  
    DateTopicLecturer
    Jun. 2025 Nursing Assessment of the Pediatric Cardiology Patient Becka Lyons, BSN, RN, CCRN
    Jul. 2025 Nursing Competencies Sydney Pownell, BSN, RN, CCRN, Bailey Alexander BSN, RN, Katie Farley, BSN, RN
    Aug. 2025 Ventilation Modes & Respiratory Assessment Abdoulie John, RRT
    Sept. 2025 Atrial Septal Defect and Patent Ductus Arteriosus Josclyn Patrick, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC, and Cherilyn Laymance, MSN, RN
    Oct. 2025 Ventricular Septal Defect Kimberley Moore RN MSN CPNP-AC/PC, and Mellissa Myers, APRN, FNP
    Nov. 2025 Tetralogy of Fallot Jennifer Shafer, APRN, CPNP-AC, Deshia McWilliams, BSN, RN, CPN, and Alison Gallegos RN, BSN
    Dec. 2025 Common Cardiac Medications Ashlee Fernandez, BSN, RN, CCRN, Cristina W., BSN, RN, CCRN, Jill Zender, APRN, CPNP-AC, and Taylor Hutchison, MSN, MBA, RN, CPN

2025-2026 Adult Cardiology Lecture Series

Past Lecture Series

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