20th Annual Meeting

Aaron Adkisson, PharmD, BCCP

University of Kentucky

Aaron Adkisson is a clinical pharmacist at the University of Kentucky HealthCare whose primary practice sites are in outpatient cardio-oncology and general cardiology. He earned his PharmD from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy in 2021. Following graduation, he completed a PGY-1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center in Danville, KY, and a PGY-2 Cardiology Specialty Residency at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore, MD. He is a Board Certified Cardiology Pharmacist (BCCP). Aaron's professional interests include managing chronic hypertension in VEGF-inhibitor-treated patients, HFrEF management, and addressing health disparities.

Talal Alnabelsi, MD

University of Kentucky

Attended medical school at Cardiff University. Internal Medicine residency at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia. Completed fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the University of Kentucky followed by an advanced imaging fellowship at the Houston Methodist Hospital with focus in CT and PET. Currently an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Gill Heart & Vascular institute (Uni of Kentucky) and the Director of the Nuclear Cardiology Lab.

Karam Ayoub, MD

University of Kentucky

Dr. Karam Ayoub received his medical degree from Jordan University of Science and Technology in Jordan. He completed his internal medicine residency from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. This was followed by an internal medicine chief residency year from University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. In 2017, Dr. Ayoub came to UK to complete a cardiovascular disease fellowship. Following that, Dr. Ayoub completed a fellowship in clinical cardiac electrophysiology from UK and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, with a focus on complex atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. In his spare time, Dr. Ayoub likes to spend his time playing soccer and baking with his kids.

Nicholas Biondi, DO

University of Kentucky

Nicholas Biondi, DO, is a non-invasive cardiologist specializing in advanced cardiac imaging. He earned his medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine. Dr. Biondi completed his general cardiology training at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio and received sub-specialty training in advanced cardiac imaging at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. He joined the faculty in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Kentucky in August 2024. His clinical interests include multi-modality imaging, 4D flow, and medical education.

Tina Claypool, PharmD, CDCES, BCACP, FKSHP

University of Louisville Health

Tina has been with UofL Health for 25 years. Although she did not start her career in Louisville, the experience she brought with her from her past positions has helped grow UofL Health – Pharmacy Services.

The western Kentucky native graduated from Murray State University and went on to earn her degree in pharmacy from the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy. She started her career at Lourdes Hospital in her hometown of Paducah, Ky. At the hospital, she worked on the ICU floor where she saw many patients at their worst, many of whom were patients with mismanaged diabetes. However, Tina missed working in an academic health care system, so she began the job hunt and found her way to Louisville and to UofL Health – UofL Hospital where she took a job as a clinical pharmacist.

Amr Idris, MD, FACC

UK-King’s Daughters Medical Center

Dr. Amr Idris is a cardiologist at UK-King’s Daughters Medical Center. He received his medical degree from Syrian Private University in Syria and completed his internal medicine residency from University of Central Florida. This was followed by a cardiology fellowship at Baylor University Medical Center/Texas Heart Hospital Plano where he served as a chief fellow. Lastly, Dr. Idris completed a fellowship in Advance cardiovascular Imaging from Minneapolis Heart Institute.

Dinesh Kalra, MD

University of Louisville, School of Medicine

Professor of Medicine. Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Vice Chair for Quality, Department of Medicine. Jewish Hospital Cardiovascular Innovation Institute Director Chair in Medicine. Director of Advanced Cardiac Imaging, Lipid Clinic & Infiltrative Heart Disease Program.

Andrew Kolodziej, MD

University of Kentucky

Dr. Andrew Kolodziej obtained his medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine. He then completed internal medicine residency through Yale University at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Conn., where he also served as a chief resident. Subsequently he completed cardiovascular training, which included both General Cardiology as well as Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology at University of Kentucky.

Dr. Kolodziej currently is an Associate Professor and serves a medical director of the heart transplant program at University of Kentucky as well as co-director of pulmonary hypertension service. His additional interest revolve around diastolic heart failure, including infiltrative cardiomyopathy, particularly cardiac Amyloidosis, playing an integral role as part of an Amyloid service at University of Kentucky.

Dr. Kolodziej is a key academic faculty in the Cardiovascular Diseases as well as Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant fellowship programs in addition to playing an integral role in the education of pulmonary fellows with assigned lectures and consistent pulmonary hypertension clinic mentorship.

He is academically active with multiple publications a year, those including journal articles as well as book chapters. Topics ranging between advanced heart failure, transplant, critical care as well as pulmonary hypertension with local and national.

Elaine Major, BSN, RN

University of Kentucky

Elaine Major, BSN, RN serves as the Pulmonary Hypertension Program Nurse at the University of Kentucky. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Kentucky. After receiving her BSN, she worked for several years in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit before transferring to her current role at the Gill Heart and Vascular Institute. She now focuses on caring for the complex Pulmonary Hypertension population. She is an integral part of the University of Kentucky Pulmonary Hypertension Team. Elaine has made great impacts on optimizing transitions of care between inpatients and outpatients, educating patients and caregivers on how to navigate the complex healthcare system, and streamlining clinical workflow to improve patient care.

Kimberly Miles, MD, MS

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

Kim Miles is a pediatric pulmonary hypertension fellow in the CCHMC/UK collaborative after finishing her advanced imaging and categorical cardiology training at CCHMC. Her research interests are in the use of cardiac MRI to improve risk stratification, prognostication, and long-term management of children and young adults with pulmonary hypertension.

Tochi Okwuosa, DO, FACC, FAHA

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago

Dr. Okwuosa is a Professor and Director of the Cardio-Oncology Program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. She earned her medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine and Cardiology training at the University of Chicago. Dr. Okwuosa's primary research interests lie in the areas of Cardio-Oncology and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention. She actively participates in multiple loco-regional and national Cardiology/Cardio-Oncology committees and boards, serves as an Associate Editor for the Journal of the American Heart Association, and is the Immediate Past Chair of the American Heart Association's Cardio-Oncology sub-Committee. Dr. Okwuosa has played a pivotal role in the establishment of various successful loco-regional and national initiatives that aim to enhance Cardio-Oncology and overall medical education, as well as foster collaborations within the medical community. She is widely recognized for her dedication to promoting health equity and actively engages in community education initiatives. Dr. Okwuosa has also made significant contributions to the cardiovascular field by mentoring numerous trainees and publishing multiple peer-reviewed research articles, book chapters, editorials, and review articles about Cardio-Oncology and Cardiovascular Disease Prevention.

Adam Skaff, MD

Norton Children's Heart Institute, University of Louisville School of Medicine

Dr. Adam Skaff is a Pediatric Cardiologist who began working at Norton Children's Heart Institute in July 2022. He completed his medical school training at West Virginia University School of Medicine, followed by Pediatrics training at the University of Virginia. He completed Pediatric Cardiology fellowship at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville. Dr. Skaff has special interest in inpatient cardiac intensive care and non-invasive imaging, including fetal echocardiography.