Large turnout for Cayman Heart Fund annual conference after COVID hiatus

(CMR) The Cayman Heart Fund welcomed local and international physicians to the Grand Cayman Marriott Resort for the return of its premier educational event, the Cayman Cardiovascular Healthcare Conference earlier this month.

The 2023 conference offered a platform for different perspectives on cardiovascular health, bringing together cardiology professionals, medical practitioners, business owners, insurance providers, human resource managers, healthcare, fitness, and wellness professionals, and more, with the common goal of elevating the conversation around cardiovascular health.

“Thank you to the Cayman Heart Fund for providing this valuable platform for people to learn about the medical resources on and off island for people to access vital cardiovascular care,” said Minister for Health & Wellness Hon. Sabrina Turner.

She spoke about the importance of local healthcare providers resources and the expertise that are available and that, increasingly we are seeing that persons no longer must consider traveling with the excellent medical services that are now available within our jurisdiction.

The theme for this year’s conference was “Cardiovascular Health for Everyone,” with the purpose of sharing knowledge and exploring the latest research in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from local and international speakers, visit various vendors, and get a heart health check-up at a health screening wellness fair sponsored by Rotary Central Grand Cayman.

“I am delighted to see the CHF working in partnership with Rotary Central Grand Cayman to deliver their health screening programs, and it is fantastic to see them join forces on this endeavor that not only brings a vital resource to persons in need but sees them working towards a national standard of data collection to our islands just like the recently launched STEPS Survey 2023 – an important opportunity to determine the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and risk factors for them within the Cayman Islands,” Turner added.

Speakers from local and international hospitals presented to an audience of more than 300 attendees who were eligible for Continuing Medical Education credits from the Cayman Islands Medical & Dental Society.

“The Cayman Heart Fund is enormously grateful to all our sponsors and the eminent speakers who took part this year. Their passion and dedication to cardiovascular healthcare is helping us shape a brighter, healthier future for the people of the Cayman Islands,” said Maureen Cubbon, chairperson of the Cayman Heart Fund.

Representatives from the following participating organizations presented on a range of topics related to
cardiovascular health.

Premier Sponsor – Health City Cayman Islands – Dr. Ravi Kishore Amancharla, Chief Interventional Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist presented on “Statin Intolerance – How real is the problem?”  Dr. Aritra Mukherji, Pediatric Cardiologist, spoke about “A Glimpse into the World of Neonatal Cardiology: An interventionist’s perspective.”

Major Plus Sponsor: Doctors Hospital delivered a joint presentation by Dr. Krzysztof Kukula, Consultant Cardiologist and Dr. Azad Esack, Consultant Neurologist & Neurophysiologist, titled “Acute Coronary and Stroke Syndromes: How to recognize the Symptoms and Why is it Essential to react early.”

Breakfast Sponsor: Health Services Authority’s Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Joanna Kregiel, spoke about “Take Care of Your Heart: Current Perspectives on Cardiovascular Disease Preventions.”

Coffee Break Sponsor: Fiona McDougall, Owner, and Director of Healthy Futures, talked about the “Modifiable Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease: Exploring Patient Compliance Challenges and Opportunities in the Cayman Islands”

Other speakers included Dr. Cedric Sheffield, Surgical Director Heart Transplant Program at Cleveland Clinic; Dr. Sandeep Sainathan MD, from the Congenital Cardiac Surgery, General Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Jackson Memorial & UHealth International; Dr. Joseph T McGinn Jr., Thoracic surgeon & Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute.

Rachel Corbett, Cayman Islands National Epidemiologist, Ministry of Health & Wellness; Dr. Nick Gent, Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health & Wellness, and  Dr. Sarah Watkin, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician, Integra Healthcare Ltd Board Member, Cayman Heart Fund.

The Cayman Heart Fund has hosted an annual symposium since its inception in 2008, led by Dr. Bella Beraha, CHF medical director. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this is the first time in more than three years that attendees were able to gather in person to hear from a range of expert presenters who offered thought-provoking topics and engaged the medical audience with the latest scientific updates, new technology, approaches, and guidelines required to improve patient care.