2021Caregiver and VAD Fall Webinar Series
We are excited to announce that M Health Fairview staff have collaborated with the Second Chance for Life Foundation to deliver a free, four-part VAD educational webinar series this fall. Whether you are new to a VAD or a long-time recipient we know there are many unusual challenges. This webinar series is designed to further educate and support you and your caregiver in this journey. All the presenters are current or past M Health Fairview faculty have developed content with you in mind. Your attendance is welcome to any or all sessions of interest!
Second Chance for Life Foundation was founded by patients for patients. It exclusively supports M Health Fairview heart transplant and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) patients and families throughout their journey. The Foundation aids through difficult times - mentally, physically, emotionally, financially.
Each session will last approximately one hour and there will be time for Q&A and some discussion.
Wednesday, September 15th 12:00pm
Those Applying to Sainthood – Caregivers!
Michael Petty, PhD, RN, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCNS
Advanced Practice Nurse Leader
University of Minnesota Medical Center
The success of any transplant or MCS recipient depends to a significant degree on the family caregivers who accompany the patients on their journey. As a medical team we recognize the importance of family caregivers in our work with heart failure patients. The goal of this session will be to focus on the family caregiver:
• Identify challenges commonly described by caregivers
• Discuss self-care strategies that might serve the caregiver
• Share experiences, difficulties, solutions, and successes of caregivers in attendance
You will have the opportunity to bring your stories and contribute to the conversation. Please join us!
Wednesday, September 29th 12:00pm
VAD as a Bridge to Transplant
Rebecca Cogswell, MD
Medical Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support
University of Minnesota Division of Cardiology
&
Brian Roscoe, PsyD
Behavior Health Clinician
M Health Fairview
Transplant, is that the next step of your journey? Dr. Cogswell will share insights and help better understand the landscape of this transition: whether you have been waiting for just a few months or years this can be a tricky time. We know managing the emotional impact on you and your family can be challenging. Dr Roscoe will share tools and techniques for coping and becoming more comfortable during this uncertain period of life.
Wednesday, October 13th 12:00pm
Living and Aging with VAD as a Destination
Valmiki “Val” Maharaj, MD
Advanced Heart Failure, Transplantation and Mechanical Circulatory Support
University of Minnesota Division of Cardiology
&
Michael Finch APRN, NP
Palliative Medicine
M Health Fairview
How does a VAD effect the aging process? We will discuss the impact of heart failure, VAD, and your body’s natural aging. Dr Maharaj will share insights on the medical journey of destination therapy while Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner, Michael Finch will discuss symptom management and ways to approach quality of life. It’s about heart life not heart failure!
Wednesday, October 20th 12:00pm
VAD – Tips, Tricks and Futures
Darcy Hamre, RN BSN
VAD Coordinator
M Health Fairview
&
Dustin Szczech, RN BSN
Clinical Consultant
Abbott
Empowerment! This session will focus on ways to make living a little easier and help you thrive during your journey: We will exchange ideas with you and your caregiver. A few topics will include dressing and specialized clothing, creative tricks for remaining active throughout the year, driving and even at home strategies for testing! As a bonus Dustin from Abbott will sharing the directions they are taking this technology to continue to improve heart health!