The Heart of Health
5-6:30 p.m. Central Time via Zoom
Your heart beats more than 100,000 times a day, powering every system in your body. Advances in research and medicine continue to improve heart health and transform cardiovascular care. Join Mini Medical School: The Heart of Health for an engaging three-part series that explores how the heart interacts with other systems, the role of lifestyle and medical interventions, and cutting-edge innovations transforming heart care.
Through this series, attendees will gain insights from leading experts in cardiovascular care and research at the University of Minnesota, learning how science and innovation are shaping the future of heart health.
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This event is virtual, free, and open to the public.
April 16, 5:00-6:30 p.m. (Central)
While scientific advancements have improved treatment options, prevention remains one of the most powerful tools in combating heart disease. This session will explore how daily choices, medical treatments, and systemic factors impact cardiovascular health. Experts will discuss the latest research behind exercise and diet, the role of medications in managing hypertension and cholesterol, and strategies for reducing heart disease risks. Additionally, the session will examine health disparities in Minnesota, highlighting gaps in treatment and prevention and efforts to promote heart health equity.
Speakers
Jeremy Van't Hof, MD, MS
Moderator
Assistant Professor, Medical School
Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation, University of Minnesota Medical Center
Associate Director, Rasmussen Center for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Daniel Craighead, PA
Assistant Professor, School of Kinesiology
Lisa Harnack, DrPH, RD, MPH
Professor and Interim Division Head, School of Public Health
Junia Nogueira de Brito, PhD, MPH, MBA
Assistant Professor, Medical School
April 23, 5:00-6:30 p.m. (Central)
The heart does not work alone—it plays a crucial role in the health of multiple body systems. In this session, experts will explore the latest research on the connections between heart disease and other conditions. Topics will include the link between heart arrhythmias and dementia, the influence of gut health on cardiovascular disease, and the impact of cancer treatments on the heart. Understanding these connections is key to advancing whole-body approaches to heart health and improving patient outcomes.
Speakers
Forum Kamdar, MD, PhD
Moderator
Assistant Professor, Medical School
Lin Yee Chen, MD, MS
Professor, Medical School
Director, Lillehei Heart Institute
Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Chair in Adult Cardiology
Suma Konety, MD
Professor, Medical School
Medical Director, Cardio-Oncology Program, University of Minnesota
Medical Director, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services, University of Minnesota
Thenappan Thenappan, MD
Professor, Medical School
April 30, 5:00-6:30 p.m. (Central)
New technologies are revolutionizing the way heart disease is diagnosed, treated, and managed. This session will highlight groundbreaking innovations shaping the future of cardiovascular care. Participants will learn how artificial intelligence is transforming heart disease research and patient care, explore the evolution of electronic heart devices such as pacemakers, and discover the latest advancements in heart transplants and cardiovascular surgery. Minnesota has long been a leader in medical device innovation, and this session will showcase the state’s continued contributions to the field.
Speakers
Lin Yee Chen, MD, MS
Moderator
Professor, Medical School
Director, Lillehei Heart Institute
Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Chair in Adult Cardiology
Tamas Alexy, MD, PhD, FACC
Associate Professor, Medical School
Constantin Aliferis, MD, PhD, FACMI
Director, Institute for Health Informatics
David Benditt, MD
Professor, Medical School
