Program Overview

Introduction to the University Program

The University of Zambia School of Medicine (UNZA SOM) has partnered with UT Southwestern to strengthen education, training, and research in cardiovascular disease. This collaborative initiative aims to equip resident trainees with the knowledge and confidence to manage cardiovascular conditions effectively.

Program Overview

The program includes regular lectures, EKG seminars, and a comprehensive resource library featuring recorded sessions and education materials. The initiative is designed to ease the burden on primary care providers and shape the next generation of cardiovascular providers in sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

Leadership

The program is led by experienced professionals, including:

• Dr. Ngosa Mumba, an Internal Medicine physician with a strong interest in cardiology and research
• Dr. Lorrita Kabwe, Zambia's first Consultant Interventional Cardiologist and Chief of Adult Cardiology at the National Heart Hospital
• Dr. Agnes Mtaja, a Consultant Paediatrician and Paediatric Cardiologist with over 15 years of experience

Schedules

The program offers two schedules:

Adult Cardiology Schedule

• 7/3/25: Hypertensive Heart Disease (Fiona Strasserking, M.D.)
• 8/7/25: Chest Pain (Rafic Berbarie, M.D.)
• 9/4/25: Acute Coronary Syndrome (Anezi Uzendu, M.D.)
• 10/9/25: Heart Failure Management (Jeomi Okwara, M.D.)
• 11/6/25: Cardiogenic Shock (Nicholas Hendren, M.D.)
• 12/4/25: Rheumatic Heart Disease (Katy Lonergan, M.D.)
• 1/8/26: Advanced Lipids (Reynaldo Sanchez, M.D.)
• 2/5/26: Cardiomyopathies (James MacNamara, M.D.)
• 3/5/26: Valvular Heart Disease (Gloria Ayuba, D.O.)
• 4/2/26: Tachyarrhythmia (Nimesh Patel, M.D.)
• 5/7/25: Bradyarrhythmia (James Daniels, M.D.)
• 6/4/26: Pericardial Disease (Sina Rahmani, M.D.)
• 7/2/26: Pulmonary Emboli (E. Ashley Hardin, M.D.)
• 8/6/26: Infective Endocarditis (Anish Bhatt, M.D.)

Pediatric Cardiology Schedule

• Jun. 2025: Introductory VSD (Abhay Divekar, M.D.)
• Jul. 2025: PDA & ASD (Melinda Cory, M.D.)
• Aug. 2025: VSD and Balanced AVSD (Ernest Naturinda, M.D., Joscyln Patrick, MSN, APRN, CPNP-PC/AC, and Mirela Dugulescu, Cardiology Sonographer)
• Sept. 2025: Basic Cardiac Physiology (Colin Kane, M.D., and Mirela Dugulescu, Cardiology Sonographer)
• Oct. 2025: Normal Cardiac Anatomy (Priya Bhaskar, M.D.)
• Nov. 2025: Cardiac Embryology & Genetics (Hoang Nguyen, M.D.)
• Dec. 2025: Cardiovascular Medications (Javi Lasa, M.D., and Vidhi Makanji, M.D.)
• Jan. 2026: Congestive Heart Failure (Parag Jain, M.D.)
• Feb. 2026: Pulmonary Physiology and Heart/Lung Interaction (Ramya Deepthi Billa, M.D., and Joshua Wolovits, M.D.)
• Mar. 2026: Basics of EKG/Holter/Basic arrhythmia interpretation (Hoang Nguyen, M.D.)
• Apr. 2026: Basic Cardiac Catheterization (Abhay Divekar, M.D.)

Lecture Series

The program offers various lecture series, including:

• Adult Cardiology Lecture Series
• Pediatric Cardiology Physician Lecture Series
• Pediatric Cardiology Nursing Lecture Series

Program Coordinator

The program coordinator is Fiona Strasserking, M.D., Assistant Professor.