CardioNerds at #AHA24: Bridging Science, Humanity, and Collaboration

By Amit Goyal, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine

I am a proud co-founder of CardioNerds, which began as a podcast in 2019 and has evolved into a robust platform for cardiovascular education. Rooted in its mission to democratize cardiovascular education, CardioNerds fosters professional development by empowering trainees to create and disseminate educational content. It thrives on humanism, diversity, and mentorship, aiming to make world-class education accessible to all.

At #AHA24, the CardioNerds group made impactful contributions. One of our standout sessions featured a complex congenital heart disease case. The session’s unique structure paired expert discussions with a deeply moving, in-person patient perspective. The multidisciplinary panel included Keri Shafer, M.D., Director of UTSW’s Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, alongside leaders from palliative care, heart failure, and cardiac surgery. The patient and their care team shared their journey through challenges and triumphs in managing the downstream sequela of D-transposition of the great arteries corrected with a Mustard repair, ultimately requiring a durable “left” ventricular assist device for systemic right ventricular failure and surgical replacement of the systemic atrioventricular (tricuspid) valve. This personal narrative brought to life the human side of medicine, fostering empathy and understanding among attendees.

CardioNerds' presence extended beyond this session. Through the CardioNerds Scholars Program, 10 trainees leveraged social media to amplify cutting-edge research, ensuring global engagement with #AHA24. Additionally, the CardioNerds Dinner cultivated connections among nearly 40 participants, from residents to senior faculty, promoting mentorship and collaboration in a casual setting.

What makes CardioNerds a movement is its people – the educators, learners, and patients who embody its ethos. By blending education with humanity and professional growth, CardioNerds demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can redefine medical education. Our group’s contributions at #AHA24 highlight the power of collective effort in advancing cardiovascular education.