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International Heart Education Consortium

UT Southwestern is proud to partner with the University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA SOM) to strengthen education, training, and research in cardiovascular disease. This collaborative initiative is designed to ease the burden on primary care providers by equipping resident trainees with the knowledge and confidence they need to manage cardiovascular conditions effectively. Additionally, we are excited to welcome colleagues from Sierra Leone and Ghana to participate in the learning sessions.

Together with our colleagues at the UNZA SOM, we've developed a dynamic virtual training program that includes regular lectures, EKG seminars, and a comprehensive resource library featuring 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 SOM. Their commitment is 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

  • 2025-2026 Adult Cardiology Schedule
    DateTopicLecturer
    7/3/25 Hypertensive Heart Disease Fiona Strasserking, M.D.
    8/7/25 Chest Pain Rafic Berbarie, M.D.
    9/4/25 Acute Coronary Syndrome Anezi Uzendu, M.D.
    10/9/25 Heart Failure Management Jeomi Okwara, M.D.
    11/6/25 Cardiogenic Shock Nicholas Hendren, M.D.
    12/4/25 Rheumatic Hear Disease Katy Lonergan, M.D.
    1/8/26 Advanced Lipids Reynaldo Sanchez, M.D.
    2/5/26 Cardiomyopathies James MacNamara, M.D.
    3/5/26 Valvular Heart Disease Gloria Ayuba, D.O.
    4/2/26 Tachyarrhythmia Nimesh Patel, M.D.
    5/7/25 Bradyarrhythmia James Daniels, M.D.
    6/4/26 Pericardial Disease Sina Rahmani, M.D.
    7/2/26 Pulmonary Emboli E. Ashley Hardin, M.D.
    8/6/26 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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