2024 CCS Conference Faculty

Sir Trevor Hassell– Feature Address

Sir Trevor Hassell is a distinguished physician and former Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the University of the West Indies, and Consultant Cardiologist at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados. A Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and the Royal College of Physicians of London, he has served as President of the Caribbean Cardiac Society, Inter American Heart Foundation, and Vice President of the World Heart Federation. Currently, he is President of the Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Chairman of the Barbados National Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases Commission, and Barbados Special Envoy for Chronic Diseases. Sir Trevor has significantly influenced NCD policy and advocacy in the Caribbean and was appointed to the Order of Barbados as a Knight of St. Andrew in 2013.

Dr. Selma Mohammed, an advanced heart failure cardiologist and Professor of Medicine at Creighton University, directs the Division of Heart Failure and Creighton-LEAD program. An expert in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), she has published extensively and holds leadership roles in key cardiology organizations. She earned her MD from the University of Khartoum and PhD from Mayo Clinic, where she also completed her cardiology training.

Jacquelyn Pilgrim-Jemmott- Cardiac Amyloidosis from a patient and caregiver’s perspective. Introduction to the Cardiac Amyloidosis Foundation

Jacquelyn is a dynamic tourism and hospitality expert with a Master’s in Tourism Destination Management and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing from the University of Birmingham. A Barbados National Development Scholar, she has 15 years of international and local experience. Known for being results-driven and resourceful, she advocates for professional development, tourism education, and mental well-being.

Professor of Cardiology at the University of the Antilles, he served as Head of the Department of Cardiology at the University Hospital of Martinique from 2004 to 2023. He currently leads a large medical division encompassing Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Diabetes, Kidney, and Lung Diseases. Additionally, he directs a Rare Diseases Center focused on Transthyretin Amyloidoses in Martinique.

Dr. Aderemi Soyombo, a non-invasive cardiologist and consultant at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Barbados, graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School. She trained in Internal Medicine at Cornell University and completed a Cardiology Fellowship at Georgetown University. Formerly Director of Echocardiography at Heart and Vascular Associates in New Jersey, she focuses on early heart disease prevention and heart failure management. She is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology.

Dr. Michael Chin– The one year all cause in-hospital mortality rate in patients with STEMI at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

Dr. Michael Chin completed his MBBS at the University of Guyana and his Internal Medicine (DM) at the University of the West Indies. He pursued a cardiology residency and fellowship in Interventional Cardiology at the University of Calgary. A member of the Royal College of Physicians (UK) and an affiliate member in Canada, he has been an Interventional Cardiologist at Georgetown Public Hospital, Guyana, since 2020.

Dr. Joaquin Azpilicueta, a cardiologist from the University of Navarra with an MBA from IE Madrid, has over 25 years of experience in the medical devices sector. His expertise includes cardiac imaging, electrophysiology, cardiac pacing, and cardiac surgery. He practiced non-invasive cardiology and intensive care. Currently, he is the Medical Director for Iberia and Latin America at Elixir Medical, focusing on coronary intervention solutions.

Dr Brown is a Cardiologist and Cardio-oncologist, and the President of My Heart Spark P.C., USA. She has over 2 decades of combined experience in medicine and research. She trained in the prestigious Clinician Investigator program at the Mayo Clinic, where she completed her fellowship in cardiology.

Mrs. Marina Bersaoui-Rambhadjan, a researcher and lecturer at the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, is a specialized Physical Therapist with a keen interest in chronic disease policies, prevention, and cardiac rehabilitation. She is a current PhD Candidate at the KU Leuven, focusing on the acute and chronic effects of exercise on blood pressure in a population of African or Asian origin with high-to-normal blood pressure.

Dr. Nish H. Patel is an interventional cardiologist and leader of the structural heart program at Baptist Health Miami. Board-certified in multiple cardiology specialties, he specializes in catheter-based therapies for heart diseases. He trained at Smt. NHL Municipal Medical College, University of Oklahoma, University of Miami, and Mount Sinai Hospital. Dr. Patel has published widely and is fluent in English, Hindi, Gujarati, and Urdu.

Dr. Wang is the Regional Medical Director of Non-Invasive Cardiology at Baylor Scott & White, TX, and Program Director of the Advanced Cardiology Imaging Fellowship. Her interests focus on echocardiography, including valvular heart disease, aortic diseases, and endocarditis. She has served as a co-investigator on clinical trials and is a fellow of ASE and ACC, and a member of the ASE perioperative council.

Dr. Lorena Montes, an attending Cardiovascular surgeon at the Hospital Internacional de Colombia, leads the Center of Excellence for Myocardial Revascularization. She holds key roles in The Colombian Society of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, LACES, WTS, and CTSNet. Specializing in Complex Coronary Surgery and Mechanical Circulatory Support, she champions Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity as Chair of the Women in Cardiac Surgery Committee at LACES and Co-chair of International Affairs at WTS..

Dr. Redwood is a distinguished Cardiologist with a diverse educational background, including degrees from the University of the West Indies in Kingston and specialized training from Toronto General Hospital. She has experience in adult, interventional, and congenital/structural cardiology. Dr. Redwood is an executive member of the Jamaica Association of Sports Medicine and 1st Vice President of the Jamaica Medical Doctors Association. She enjoys sports and recreational activities, reflecting her passion for both medicine and athletics.

Originally from a rural community near Montego Bay, Jamaica, and a graduate of Cornwall College and the University of the West Indies (MBBS with Honours, 2022), Dr. Kerr is currently a Senior House Officer in Internal Medicine, Cardiology, at Cornwall Regional Hospital. Passionate about cardiology, he aims to pursue a career in interventional cardiology to enhance cardiac care access in Western Jamaica..

.Dr. Cheyanne Francis is a resident in the Doctor of Medicine (DM) Ophthalmology
programme of the University of the West Indies. She is currently based in the Department of Ophthalmology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados.

Joshua Greaves is a Registrar in Cardiology at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital. A Barbados Exhibition awardee, he studied at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus and served as President of the Medical Students Association (2013-2014). Passionate about advancing patient care, he aims to become an interventional cardiologist. In his free time, he enjoys outdoor activities with his wife and two children.

Dr. Christian Adams is a skilled Cardiovascular Electrophysiologist with specialized training from Universidad de la Sabana and Fundación Cardioinfantil in Bogotá, Colombia, and previous experience as a Clinical Cardiologist and Internal Medicine staff. He holds an MD from University of Caldas and has published extensively on topics like myocarditis and catheter ablation. He is a member of several professional societies and fluent in English and Spanish, with expertise in leadership and healthcare economics.

Dr. Luis Saenz is a renowned Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, currently serving as the Director of the International Arrhythmia Center at CardioInfantil Foundation, Bogotá, Colombia. With over 20 years of experience, he has served as Past President of the Latin-American Heart Rhythm Society and is a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology. Dr. Saenz is also a cofounder of the International Consortium EPLIVE and frequently lectures on catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and ventricular arrhythmias.

Dr. Lana Boodhoo is a Trinidad and Tobago-based Consultant Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist, and she is the Caribbean’s first resident EP. She obtained her MBBS degree at the UWI, and her MD from the University of London. She received specialist and subspecialist training from the Mersey Deanery in Liverpool, UK. She returned to Trinidad in 2009 and continues to perform pioneering work in the field.

Prof. Dr. Rasheed is a renowned cardiac surgeon based in Karachi. He works as a general practitioner at Ahmed Soliman Al Fahad & Sons Ltd. Co. in Saudi Arabia and Balsam Al Shamal General Medical Complex. He received his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees from Jinzhou Medical University, China.

Dr. Contreras holds a medical degree from Universidad Libre Cali (2001) and specialized in Cardiology at Universidad del Valle (2009). He completed a Master’s in Heart Failure from Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Spain. He serves as the Cardiology Service Coordinator at Clinica de Occidente S.A. and has extensive teaching and clinical experience. He has published numerous research papers in cardiology and internal medicine.

Dr. Se-Sergio Baldew is a physical therapist and rehabilitation scientist with a PhD from KULeuven, Belgium, focusing on physical activity, fitness, and cardiovascular risk factors in Suriname. He is a researcher and lecturer at Anton de Kom University of Suriname, working on the Heart Failure Management Program and interventions to boost physical activity. As a SAPASEN board member, he promotes physical activity research and implementation strategies in South America..

Rachel Andrew is a highly accomplished and dedicated cardiologist from Dominica. She is the first female Dominican-born cardiologist and is recognized for her exceptional skills and caring nature. In addition to her role at the island’s main hospital, she has also opened her private clinic and been actively involved in academia as a medical professor for over eighteen years.

Dr. Andrew runs programs to inspire young women across the island.

Shellice Sairras, a cardiovascular scientist from Suriname, holds a Master’s in Cardiovascular Research from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and is pursuing a PhD on mobile health implementation in heart failure management. Her research focuses on feasibility, usability, and effects on clinical and patient-reported outcomes. She also contributes to the development of a comprehensive heart failure program in Suriname.

.

Dr. Navi Muradali is a medical doctor with over 20 years experience in health & wellness programs. He is the former Medical Director of Healthnet Clinics, and served as a City Medical Officer of Health in San Fernando. Dr. Muradali was also the youngest mayor of San Fernando and was chairman of the public health committee. He is now the CEO of Patient Connect, a digital health company in the Americas focusing on chat-based care programs for employees and residents of the Caribbean and Latin America.

Dr. Ijeoma Isiadinso is a Cardiologist at Emory Heart and Vascular Center and an Associate Professor of Medicine at Emory University. She directs the Emory Center for Heart Disease Prevention and previously led the Emory Women’s Heart Center. Board-certified in multiple cardiology specialties, she serves on various national committees and editorial boards, and is a Primary Investigator for clinical trials. Her research focuses on heart disease prevention, particularly in women

Dr. Odayme Quesada, MD, MHS, is the Medical Director of the Women’s Heart Center at The Christ Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute, and Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati. A board-certified cardiologist, she specializes in women’s cardiovascular disease. Dr. Quesada has led significant research, earning the NIH K23 Career Development Award, and established a leading CMVD program. She is a Fellow of FAHA, FACC, and FESC.

Dr. Kristen Callender is a senior house officer in Cardiovascular Services at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. She earned a BSc in Biochemistry from UWI Cave Hill and graduated from the American University of Barbados in 2017. Previously, she worked at Sir Lester Bird Medical Center, Antigua. Aspiring to a career in academia, she is interested in cardiomyopathy, cardiometabolic medicine, and hyperthyroid heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, movies, and traveling.

Dr. Suma, a Professor of Pathology at Avalon University, holds a medical degree from Yerevan State Medical University, an internship from Osmania Medical College, and served as a Major in the Indian Army Medical Corps. She has over a decade of teaching experience and advanced degrees in histopathology, clinical pathology, and hospital management. She has received multiple awards from the Indian Association of Pathologists & Microbiologists..