WASHINGTON —The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has launched an innovative program that marks a significant advancement in addressing health disparities and fostering diversity within the field of interventional cardiology.
Now seeking its inaugural cohort, LEED: LAAO (Leadership Exchange to Promote Equity and Diversity: Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion) is a “micro fellowship” that pairs experienced LAAO operators with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) champions in a novel bi-directional exchange of expertise to address unmet needs in interventional cardiology.
The program addresses critical objectives: enhancing the skills of experienced interventional cardiologists in both structural heart therapies and inclusion efforts by partnering two experts to mentor one another. Together, the cohort will enhance efforts to promote equitable access to innovative structural heart technologies for underserved patient populations.
“When it comes to health disparities and inequitable access within the field of structural heart and its clinical trials, many agree it is time to stop just counting. Action is needed," said Dr. Megan Coylewright, MD, FSCAI, co-chair and co-developer of LEED: LAAO. "We aim for patients across the United States to have equitable access to the technology that can improve their quality of life and lengthen their lives. To that end, this program creates a community of physicians with the necessary skillsets and collaborations to improve access for all.”
The inaugural LEED: LAAO cohort will consist of four LAAO Leaders and eight DEI Leaders. LAAO Leaders will be established implanters of the WATCHMAN™ Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device, interested in teaching, mentoring, expanding their DEI toolkit, and enhancing the DEI skills of their team to address health inequities in their local communities. DEI Leaders will be experienced interventional cardiologists, experts in championing DEI-related initiatives that address healthcare disparities, and interested in expanding their structural heart intervention skillsets to include WATCHMAN LAAC procedures. The two-day micro fellowship will include observed live cases and best practices led by the LAAO Leader and medical Grand Rounds and educational activities that highlight the expertise of the DEI Leader. DEI resources will be developed and shared to enhance the skillsets of the broader community.
The LEED: LAAO Program encourages participation from all members of the interventional cardiology field. Experienced operators have the opportunity to mentor and be mentored, fostering a collaborative learning environment that bridges gaps and builds connections. In that innovative spirit, the program was developed in collaboration with SCAI and founding sponsor Boston Scientific.
“I am most proud of the collaboration between a professional association and industry to commit time and resources to developing a program that moves equity and inclusion efforts beyond words and into action,” said Dr. Sarah K. Gualano, MD, FSCAI, co-chair and co-developer of LEED: LAAO. “A successful LEED: LAAO pilot can prove this type of partnership can have an impact not only on who is providing care but also on the patients who can access interventions.”
Applications Are Available Online Until November 26, 2024
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