Tulane to host event for students interested in the field of cardiology

Keith Brannon kbrannon@tulane.edu
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New Orleans area high school and university students will get a firsthand glimpse of a day in the life of a cardiologist when Tulane University School of Medicine and Tulane Medical Center host the American College of Cardiology Young Scholars Program on Friday. 

Tulane Chief of Cardiology Dr. Robert C. Hendel will welcome 20 students for a day-long site visit where participants will observe interventional cardiology procedures in the cardiac catheterization laboratories, watch stress tests and review noninvasive tests such as echocardiograms, tour the outpatient clinic and network with cardiology trainees to gain a greater understanding of the specialty of cardiovascular disease. The inaugural one-year program introduces outstanding high school and college students in Louisiana to the world of medicine, specifically cardiology.

“Cardiovascular disease remains the No. 1 killer of Americans and is a very common disorder locally,” Hendel said. “Here in Louisiana, there is a very high prevalence of high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease, heart attacks and heart failure, greatly impacting on the health of our citizens.”

The American College of Cardiology launched the Young Scholars Program during its Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans in March. Students were able to participate in the full conference schedule of activities, including hearing firsthand the groundbreaking results of late-breaking clinical trials, networking with researchers and watching young scientists report on their own research results.

Following the Annual Scientific Session, students were paired with a Fellow of the College to help mentor them through the year. In addition to hospital visits, the program curriculum includes online webinars tailored directly to young scientists beginning their journey into research, periodic meetings with their faculty mentor and an opportunity to be part of one of their mentor's research projects.

This year’s Young Scholars Program participants are:

  • Isabel Collins, Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans
  • Sonjay Henry, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans
  • Loren Higginbotham, Jennings High School, Jennings, Louisiana
  • De’Hasia Hopkins, Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans
  • Olivia Howard, Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy, Westwego, Louisiana
  • Allyson Judge, Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans
  • Kelsey Lain, Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans
  • Marley Lee, Dillard University, New Orleans
  • Kennedy Mallett, Welsh High School, Welsh, Louisiana
  • Isabella Mariano, Cedar Creek High School, Ruston, Louisiana
  • Lily Markus, Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans
  • Thanda Myo Win, Tulane University, New Orleans
  • Najah Nicholas, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, Kenner, Louisiana
  • Mikayla Perkins, Dillard University, New Orleans
  • Annie Thai, Tulane University, New Orleans
  • Ty Theriot, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • Donovan Turpin, Cedar Creek High School, Ruston, Louisiana
  • Marise Wilson, Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy, Kenner, Louisiana
  • Jordan Wise, Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans
  • Keyana Zahiri, Benjamin Franklin High School, New Orleans