Gill Affiliate Network celebrates 11th annual conference
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2025) — UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Affiliate Network held its 11th annual conference Nov. 4, at Central Bank Center in Lexington, bringing together a wide range of experts to learn and discuss the latest advancements and trends in cardiovascular medicine.
Network members and guests rallied around the theme, “Empowering Care Together,” and celebrated how the network’s collective strength helps to advance heart care across Kentucky.
“This conference reflects the strength of collaboration,” said Navin Rajagopalan, M.D., director of the Gill Affiliate Network. “Each year, we come together to learn, share and grow as a network. Through these efforts, we not only advance cardiovascular medicine but also support the clinicians and staff who make exceptional care possible for patients statewide.”
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Kentucky, and the state has one of the highest rates of heart disease in the country. To help fight this battle, UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute’s cardiovascular specialists and experts work closely with 28 affiliate network hospitals across the state to improve cardiovascular outcomes through educational programming, quality improvement initiatives and community engagement.
Since 2014, the Gill Affiliate Network has connected cardiovascular specialists with local providers to help them deliver expert, comprehensive heart care to Kentucky patients. The network offers member hospitals a wide range of services, including access to the latest cardiovascular technologies and treatments; educational and training opportunities for a variety of health care professionals; support with quality improvement initiatives; and collaborative marketing and outreach programs.
“Over the past decade, we have seen remarkable progress across our affiliate hospitals,” said Rebecca Craft, director of Cardiovascular Outreach Operations at the UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute. “By sharing knowledge, data, and best practices, we continue to raise the standard of heart care across Kentucky.”
At Tuesday's conference, local, regional and national speakers shared the latest insights in cardiovascular medicine. Attendees enjoyed an expansive exhibitor hall and participated in hands-on sessions and informative workshops.
Featured speakers included:
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Stephanie Abel, Pharm.D., Opioid Stewardship Program coordinator, UK HealthCare
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Katherine Alnabelsi, advanced practice provider, UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute
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Jimer Battaile, Structural Heart Program nurse coordinator, UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute
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Mark Birdwhistell, senior vice president for health and public policy, University of Kentucky
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Cody Bumgardner, Ph.D., assistant dean for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science; director, Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence, University of Kentucky
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Wes Campbell, Ph.D., managing director and expert partner, Advisory Board
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Clyde Clarke, Heart & Vascular Quality Outcomes manager, UK King’s Daughters
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Rebecca Craft, director, Cardiovascular Outreach Operations, UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute
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John Gurley, M.D., Structural Heart Program medical director, UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute
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Kaitlin Hile, Pharm.D., clinical pharmacist, cardiology, UK HealthCare
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Jenny Kennedy, D.N.P., vice president of Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom
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Andrew Leventhal, M.D., Adult Congenital Heart Disease medical director, UK Gill Heart & Vascular Institute
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Lesli McDonogh, quality director, Norton Heart & Vascular Institute, Norton Healthcare
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Ana Mercurio-Pinto, vice president of Care Transformation Services, MedAxiom
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Naoki Misumida, M.D., Cardiac Catheterization Lab medical director, UK Gill Heart & Vascular Insitute
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Navin Rajagopalan, M.D., director, UK Gill Heart & Vascular Insitute Affiliate Network
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Lawrence Rector, chief executive officer, Dayspring Health
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Steven White, Chest Pain Program coordinator, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital
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Lisa Williams, associate dean for Well-Being, UK College of Medicine
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated health care professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the health care landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other health care professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.