Western Kentucky Heart and Lung Research Foundation Symposium
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The Western Kentucky Heart and Lung Research Foundation Symposium gathers nationally recognized speakers and offers a chance to highlight research activities happening in south-central Kentucky. The full-day symposium will cover topics relevant to numerous specialties, including, but not limited to, cardiology, pulmonology, surgery, internal medicine, and more. National speakers will provide updates on carotid artery disease, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and pulmonary hypertension. Local research will be showcased through dedicated poster presentation sessions. Eight graduate medical learners will present research topics during 15-minute podium presentations.
Target Audience
The target audience includes medical students, residents in internal medicine, surgery, and OB/GYN, transitional-year residents, cardiology and critical care fellows, physicians, advanced nurse practitioners, pharmacists, nurses, radiologic technologists, and administrative staff.
Learning Objectives
After the completion of this symposium, participants will be able to:
- Analyze the latest evidence-based updates on carotid artery disease, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and pulmonary hypertension presented at the symposium.
- Evaluate multidisciplinary strategies for managing heart and lung diseases across cardiology, pulmonology, surgery, and internal medicine.
- Critique the research methodologies discussed in the poster and podium sessions.
- Present original research findings clearly and in a well-organized scientific format during podium or poster sessions.
- Integrate regional research initiatives into national discussions on cardiovascular and pulmonary health.
Western Kentucky Heart & Lung Research Foundation Symposium
Bowling Green, Kentucky
April 24, 2026
Agenda
7:00 – 7:45 AM
Breakfast & Exhibits
Visit sponsor exhibits and research posters
7:45 – 8:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Dr. Joyce and Dr. Kazimuddin
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Keynote Address
Medical Therapy and Revascularization for Asymptomatic Carotid Artery Disease: New Lessons from the CREST-2 Trial
Speaker: Christopher Regan, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiovascular Medicine), Yale University
9:00 – 9:20 AM
Panel Discussion
Muhammad Shoaib Akbar, MD, FACC, FSCAI
Interventional Cardiologist; Vice President, WKHL Research Foundation & Educational Trust;
Assistant Professor, University of Kentucky College of Medicine;
Program Director, Cardiology Fellowship ProgramBrian Grant, MD
Vascular Surgeon, Med Center Health Heart, Lung & Vascular SurgeonsIan Stines, MD
Vascular Surgeon, Med Center Health Heart, Lung & Vascular Surgeons
9:20 – 9:30 AM
Break
9:30 – 10:30 AM
Scientific Session
Discerning the Cause(s) of Exercise Intolerance: The Role of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
Speaker: Justin Canada, PhD, RCEP
Associate Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University
10:30 – 11:00 AM
Poster Presentations & Discussion
Featuring lead authors
11:00 – 11:15 AM
Break
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Podium Presentations – Part I
11:15 – 11:30 AM: Joseph Beckman, MD – Internal Medicine Resident
11:30 – 11:45 AM: Transitional Year Resident
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Carlos Gaibor, MD – Cardiology Fellow
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Lunch
1:00 – 1:15 PM
Poster Award Winner Presentations
1:15 – 2:15 PM
Clinical Session
Pulmonary Hypertension for the General Practitioner
Speaker: Zachary Fulkerson, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, Indiana University
2:15 – 2:30 PM
Break
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Podium Presentations – Part II
2:30 – 2:45 PM: University of Kentucky College of Medicine Student
2:45 – 3:00 PM: Stephanie Bouchard, MD – Surgery Resident
3:00 – 3:15 PM: Abby Hurt, MD – OB/GYN Resident
3:15 – 3:30 PM: John Westfall, MD – Pulmonology Fellow
3:30 – 3:45 PM
Closing Remarks & Podium Presentation Award
3:45 PM
Adjournment
Kaitlin Banasiewicz, Kaitlin Banasiewicz, PhD, MSN, RN
MaKenzie Boysen
Alex Dingle
Emily Jewell, Emily Jewell, BS MMS, C-TAGME
Melinda Joyce, Pharm.D., FAPhA, FACHE
Mohammed Kazimuddin
Kent Lewis
John Michael Mills, BS
Deanna Morris
Christopher Regan, Christopher Regan, MD, FACC, FSCAI, RPVI
Jodie Robinson
Missy Travelsted, DNP, FNP-C
Aseem Vashist, MD
Joseph Beckman
Stephanie Bouchard, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Justin Canada, PhD, RCEP
Zachary Fulkerson, MD. PhD
Carlos Gaibor, MD
Brian Grant, MD
Jenna Howard
Abigail Hurt
Ian Stines, MD, FSVS
John Westfall, DO, MS
Emory Wilds

In support of improving patient care, University of Kentucky HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
CME
This live activity is designated for a maximum of 5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
CPE
This knowledge-based activity will award 5 contact hours (0.005 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education credit in states that recognize ACPE providers.
CNE
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 5 nursing contact hours.
Participation
UK Healthcare CECentral certifies this activity for 5 hours of participation.
Available Credit
- 5.00 ACPE
In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This knowledge-based activity will award 5.00 contact hour(s) (0.100 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education credit in states that recognize ACPE providers. Course JA-UAN Number: JA0000312-9999-26-022-L01-P
- 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This Live activity is designated for a maximum of 5.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
- 5.00 ANCC (UK Healthcare CECentral)
In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
The maximum number of hours awarded for this Continuing Nursing Education activity is 5.00 nursing contact hour(s).
- 5.00 IPCE
In support of improving patient care, UK HealthCare CECentral is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 5.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit(s) for learning and change.
- 5.00 ParticipationUK Healthcare CECentral certifies this activity for 5.00 hour(s) of participation.

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