CLIMB 2026
Advancing procedural excellence
CLIMB Clinical 2026 provides women physicians worldwide the opportunity to advance their procedural skills in highly specialized areas.
Applications open on April 20 and close on May 15. The program will commence in July.
This year’s program is structured around four focused areas: Transthyretin Amyloidosis; ASCVD prevention: Lipid Management; Cardiorenal Metabolic Health; and AI in Cardiovascular Medicine. Delivered entirely online over six months, it is tailored to support women physicians at a range of career stages.
Each track includes monthly, 90-minute interactive sessions, blending expert-led teaching with detailed case analysis and collaborative discussion. Participants will also take part in practical, case-based learning through their own presentations.
The program is guided by an exceptional faculty of internationally recognized Program Directors, offering valuable perspectives on the latest advances in clinical practice.
Learning tracks
Transthyretin Amyloidosis
Track description
This learning track provides a concise, clinically relevant overview of transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM), from early diagnosis to advanced management. It covers key diagnostic approaches, including clinical recognition and multimodality imaging, alongside current and emerging treatment strategies. The track also explores disease monitoring, progression, and multidisciplinary care, concluding with expert case discussions to support practical, real-world application.
Curriculum overview
Session details
Session one: Introduction to diagnosing ATTR-CM
Date: July 21, 10-11:30am ET
- Clinical clues for diagnosis
- ATTR-CM from bench to bedside
Session two: Diagnosing ATTR-CM: multimodality imaging
Date: August 18, 10-11:30am ET
- Echocardiography in ATTR-CM
- Cardiac MRI in ATTR-CM
- Nuclear cardiology in ATTR-CM
- Novelties in ATTR diagnosis
Session three: ATTR-CM: specific treatments
Date: September 22, 10-11:30am ET
- Medical management of symptoms of ATTR-CM
- Disease modifying treatment in ATTR-CM
Session four: ATTR-CM monitoring and progression of disease
Date: October 20, 10-11:30am ET
- Sex differences in ATTR-CM
- Use of biomarkers in monitoring and assessment of progression
- Monitoring disease progression
Session five: Miscellaneous topics in ATTR-CM
Date: November 24, 10-11:30am ET
- Multidisciplinary management of ATTR-CM
- Setting and organizing an amyloid program
- Unmet needs in ATTR-CM
Session six: Case review with the experts
Date: December 8, 10-11:30am ET
- Review of current treatment guidelines
- Participant case presentations
Program directors
- Cesia Gallegos-Kattán, MD, MHS, FASNC
- Esther Gonzalez Lopez, MD, PhD
Get to know them
Cesia Gallegos-Kattán, MD MHS FASNC
Dr. Cesia Gallegos is a cardiologist with subspecialty training in infiltrative cardiomyopathies and advanced cardiac imaging. She co-directs the Yale Cardiac Amyloidosis Program and serves as Program Director for the Yale Cardiovascular Imaging Fellowship and Associate Program Director for the Yale Cardiovascular Medicine Fellowship.
Dr. Gallegos earned her medical degree from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Honduras, completed residency and chief residency at the University of Miami, and advanced fellowships at Yale, where she also earned a Master’s in Health Science. Dr. Gallegos is very active in different medical and imaging societies where her research and clinical work in cardiac amyloidosis and imaging have earned national and international recognition.
Esther Gonzalez Lopez, MD, PhD
Dr González López was trained as a specialist in cardiology at Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda (HUPHM), in Madrid (Spain). After completing her specialization, she joined the Inherited Cardiac Diseases Unit at HUPHM as a clinical/research fellow. During this period, in addition to subspecializing in cardiomyopathies, she completed her doctoral thesis on imaging techniques in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. As a result of this thesis, her first paper was published in the European Heart Journal, winning the 2015 Dr Cardeñosa Research Award from the Royal Academy of Medicine for the best cardiology work in Spain that year. The article has been rated ‘highly cited’ as it is among the top 1% most-cited works in cardiology. In 2015, she joined the Molecular Regulation of Heart Failure group at Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) in Madrid. During this period, she had the opportunity to stay at 2 international centers of reference in amyloidosis: the National Amyloidosis Center (NAC) in London and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.
At the end of her Río Hortega program, Dr González became a Consultant Cardiologist at NAC where she carried out research and clinical activities, including the direction of the echocardiography service. In January 2019, he returned to HUPHM, with a shared dedication between the cardiac imaging unit and the Inherited Cardiac Diseases Unit, national (CSUR) and European reference unit (ERN). She continues doing clinical research on transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, being principal investigator of national and international competitive projects as well as collaborating with other international amyloidosis groups. More recently, she has also been designated elected president of the Cardiomyopathy and cardiovascular genetics Section from the Spanish Society of Cardiology.
ASCVD Prevention: Lipid Management
Track description
This learning track provides a comprehensive, clinically focused overview of cholesterol diagnosis and treatment, grounded in current ESC and ACC guideline recommendations. It explores the central role of lipids in cardiovascular risk alongside practical approaches to diagnosis and management. Participants will gain insight into optimizing lipid-lowering strategies across primary and secondary prevention, including when and how to use non-statin therapies and emerging treatments. The track also addresses genetic causes of hyperlipidemia, equipping clinicians with the knowledge to identify, screen, and apply risk stratification tools to improve patient outcomes.
Curriculum overview
Session details
Session one: Clinical relevance of cholesterol diagnosis and treatment
Date: July 2, 10-11:30am ET
- Treatment and diagnosis hypercholesterolemia
- Optimization of lipid therapy in primary and secondary prevention patients
Session two: Focus on LDL / apo B treatment
Date: August 6, 10-11:30am ET
- The role of LDL and apo B in ASCVD
- Therapies targeting LDL and apo B
Session three: Lp(a)
Date: September 10, 10-11:30am ET
- The role of Lp(a) in ASCVD and aortic stenosis
- New emerging therapies
Session four: Hypertriglyceridemia
Date: October 8, 10-11:30am ET
- Diagnose and treatment of primary and secondary hypertriglyceridemia
- New emerging therapies
Session five: Non-statin therapies to treat hyperlipidemia
Date: November 5, 10-11:30am ET
- Who, when and why to use
- New emerging therapies
Session six: Genetic Causes of Hyperlipidemia
Date: December 3, 10-11:30am ET
- Who and when to screen
- Polygenic risk score
Program directors
- Leslie Cho, MD
- Vijay Kunadian, MBBS, MD, MRCP (Edin), FRCP (Edin), FACC, FESC, PG Dip Clinical Trials (LSHTM)
Get to know them
Leslie Cho, MD
Professor Cho is a Professor of Medicine and serves as Vice Chair of the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute. She is also Director of the Women’s Cardiovascular Center and Section Head of the Preventive Cardiology and Rehabilitation Center at Cleveland Clinic in the United States.
She currently serves as Chair of the American College of Cardiology Cardiovascular Disease in Women Committee and is a special consultant to the FDA.
Her main research interests include hyperlipidemia, lipoprotein(a), sex differences in cardiovascular disease, and statin intolerance. She is the co-principal investigator for the Lp(a) HORIZON study and has contributed to numerous steering committees for large clinical trials. She also serves on the editorial board for Circulation.
Professor Cho has authored numerous peer-reviewed articles published in leading medical journals, including the New England Journal of Medicine and JAMA. She is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and the European Society of Cardiology.
Vijay Kunadian, MBBS, MD, MRCP (Edin), FRCP (Edin), FACC, FESC, PG Dip Clinical Trials (LSHTM)
Professor Kunadian is a Professor of Interventional Cardiology holding a Personal Chair at Newcastle University and Honorary Academic Consultant Interventional Cardiologist Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. Professor Kunadian completed all her cardiology and interventional cardiology training in the Northeast of England. She undertook an international academic fellowship in cardiology at the TIMI/PERFUSE Study group, Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Boston MA. Professor Kunadian has an international reputation in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular research, making her a sought-after and respected speaker at prominent national and international meetings. She has championed diversity in her specialty as a role model; only 5% of interventional cardiologist are female in the UK, <1% are clinical academics/researchers and the first female interventional cardiologist to hold a University Personal Chair. She is recipient of the UK Department of Health National Clinical Excellence Award. She is National Cardiovascular Specialty Group Lead, UK NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) Research Delivery Network. She is the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society Research and Development Working Group National Lead and Council Member.
She has developed internationally recognised expertise in managing cardiovascular disease (CVD) among under-served groups (older adults and women with CVD). She is UK Chief Investigator/Country Lead/National Co-ordinating investigator in many multicentre clinical trials. She has published >250 peer reviewed publications in major journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, the Lancet, Nature Reviews, European Heart Journal, Circulation, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Heart BMJ, JAMA Cardiology, JAMA. She introduced the various UK NIHR Clinical Academic Training Fellowship Programmes in the Northeast of England and recruitment of highly talented academic cardiology trainees in her role as academic lead.
She has campaigned on the national media including the BBC (local, national and world news), BBC Radio 5, BBC Radio 4, ITV, Channel 4 and newspapers to improve the care of patients with heart disease in particular women and heart disease. She was awarded Winner of the UK Times and the Sunday Times We Are The City Rising Star Award (Top 5 Women in Healthcare Category) for 2018. In 2022 she was nominated for the British Heart Foundation Heart Hero Research Engagement Award. She was a finalist for the 2023 Northern Power Women Awards- Disruptor for Good Category. She was voted Inspirational Woman in Newcastle University in 2023. In 2025, she was the Winner of the Clinical Research Excellence Award, Global Cardiovascular Awards.
Cardiorenal Metabolic Health
Track description
This learning track seeks to advance a new model of care for cardio-kidney-metabolic disease by empowering clinicians with integrated knowledge, practical skills, and a collaborative mindset. Through forward-thinking education and multidisciplinary engagement, the program aims to equip physician leaders to transform prevention strategies, improve patient outcomes, and shape the future of cardiometabolic medicine.
Curriculum overview
Session details
Session one: Cardio-kidney metabolic disease: introduction and non-pharmacological approach
Date: July 16, 9:30-11am ET
- CKM disease and its pathophysiology
- Preventing and counteracting CKM disease
Session two: Hypertension and CKM disease
Date: August 20, 9:30-11am ET
- Training on hypertension management
- BP-lowering options
Session three: Dyslipidemia and CKM disease
Date: September 11, 9:30-11am ET
- LDL-lowering rationale and therapeutic options
- Treating dyslipidemia beyond LDL-lowering
Session four: Obesity
Date: October 29, 9:30-11am ET
- The role of obesity in CKM disease
- Multidisciplinary approaches and therapeutic options for obesity management
Session five: Altered glucose metabolism
Date: November 12, 9:30-11am ET
- Cardiovascular and renal consequences of altered glucose metabolism
- Management strategies and therapeutic options
Session six: Chronic kidney disease
Date: December 10, 9:30-11am ET
- Mechanisms of increased CVD risk in CKD
- Mechanisms of CKD development and progression in patients with CVD risk factors
Program directors
- Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC, FASPC
- Rosa Maria Bruno, MD, PhD
Get to know them
Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC, FASPC
Alison L. Bailey, MD, FACC, FASPC is a Professor and Vice-Chair in the Department of Cardiology at West Virginia University and the Chief of Noninvasive Cardiology Services at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute and Service Line WVU Medicine in Morgantown, WV. Her clinical practice focuses on the prevention of cardiovascular disease, the diagnosis and treatment of cardiometabolic disease and women’s cardiovascular care. Her clinical practice incorporates nutrition, activity and overall lifestyle changes for all patients to optimize cardiovascular health.
She is passionate about medical education, improving cardiovascular health and advocating for her colleagues and patients. She has been involved in advocacy since her cardiology training and has attended many days on the hill and local legislative events to discuss the importance of providing equitable access to care for all.
She currently serves as the Treasurer for the American Society of Preventive Cardiology, is a member of the ACC HeartPAC Executive Committee, and is the editor-in-chief of the American College of Cardiology’s Extended Learning (ACCEL) editorial board.
Rosa Maria Bruno, MD, PhD
Rosa Maria Bruno (MD, PhD) is specialist in Internal Medicine and Hypertension, head of the Unit of Clinical Pharmacology and Women’s Cardiovascular Health at the Hopital Européen Georges Pompidou and full professor in Pharmacology at Université Paris Cité (Paris, France). Her research is focused on novel approaches for the non-invasive evaluation of vascular ageing in hypertension and other diseases, with a focus on sex and gender differences. She is vice-president of the Artery Society and treasurer of the ESC Council of Hypertension.
AI in Cardiovascular Medicine
Track description
This learning track equips cardiologists with the knowledge and practical skills to understand, evaluate, and lead the use of artificial intelligence across clinical care. Participants build a strong foundation in core AI concepts before exploring real-world applications in everyday workflows, diagnostic imaging, and longitudinal patient monitoring, alongside critical considerations such as regulation, safety, and bias. The curriculum culminates in hands-on, physician-led approaches to implementation and innovation, empowering clinicians to take on leadership roles in shaping responsible, equitable AI integration in cardiovascular medicine.
Curriculum overview
Session details
Session one: Introduction to AI – foundational concepts
Date: July 10, 12:30-2pm ET
- Core AI terminology and how key technologies work
- The current AI landscape and major players
- Risks, limitations, and safety considerations in healthcare
- How AI differs in clinical settings and why oversight matters
Session two: AI in everyday practice — EMR, documentation, and care workflows
Date: August 7, 12:30-2pm ET
- AI in documentation, EMRs, and clinical workflows
- Tools supporting care coordination and efficiency
- Patient-facing applications and administrative automation
- How to assess and regulate AI tools in practice
Session three: AI at the visit
Date: September 4, 12:30-2pm ET
- AI-powered interpretation of ECGs and imaging
- Advances in echocardiography and coronary CT
- Integration of AI into imaging platforms and workflows
- Evaluating diagnostic AI tools before implementation
Session four: AI in the follow-up
Date: October 16, 12:30-2pm ET
- Remote monitoring and wearable technologies
- AI in rhythm detection and heart failure management
- Device-based ecosystems and data-driven care
- Risk prediction and longitudinal patient insights
Session five: Equity in AI
Date: November 20, 12:30-2pm ET
- How bias enters clinical AI tools
- Implications for cardiovascular care and outcomes
- Gaps affecting women and underrepresented groups
- Approaches to building more equitable AI solutions
Session six: From learner to leader — Capstone
Date: December 4, 12:30-2pm ET
- Pathways to leadership in clinical AI
- Identifying opportunities for impact and innovation
- Practical skills for evaluating and implementing AI
- Hands-on experience building or shaping AI-driven tools
Program directors
- Jeffrey Bander, MD, FACC
- Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, MACC, FAHA, FESC
Get to know them
Jeffrey Bander, MD, FACC
Jeffery Bander, MD, has pursued many areas in the health care industry after attending Harvard Medical School and MIT. One of those areas has been as a health care entrepreneur. Dr. Bander founded two successful health care companies, Providerloop and Referwell, both of which have continued to grow. Dr. Bander’s role as Medical Director of Network Development at The Mount Sinai Hospital has allowed him to collaborate with many departments to help grow and increase efficiency. While still maintaining these roles, Dr. Bander is now Chief of Cardiology at Mount Sinai West. With Dr. Bander’s experience in many facets of the health care system, from practicing medicine, running departments, and fundraising, to excelling in health care finance and information technology, he seeks to build and develop the health care system to create a more efficient and effective organization to treat patients and save lives. Dr. Bander is currently working to create a large integrated research program at Mount Sinai West focusing on technology and artificial intelligence to advance cardiovascular care.
Dipti Itchhaporia, MD, MACC, FAHA, FESC
Dr. Dipti Itchhaporia is an Interventional Cardiologist and the Eric & Sheila Samson Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Health. She serves as Director of Disease Management at the Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute and is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at UC Irvine.
A nationally recognized leader in cardiovascular medicine, Dr. Itchhaporia made history as the 70th President of the American College of Cardiology (ACC), becoming the first South Asian American to hold the role. Her leadership has helped shape national strategy in digital transformation, health equity, and innovation in cardiovascular care.
Dr. Itchhaporia’s work centers on the integration of artificial intelligence, digital health technologies, and data-driven innovation into clinical cardiology. She leads and participates in clinical trials evaluating AI-enabled tools, remote monitoring strategies, and technology-enabled care models designed to improve outcomes and expand equitable access. She serves as Associate Editor for JACC: Advances and is an internationally sought-after speaker on AI in clinical practice, digital transformation, and the future of cardiovascular care.
She is the host of Innovation in Cardiovascular Care: Digital Intelligence & Therapeutic Breakthroughs, a national forum focused on emerging technologies, precision medicine, and next-generation therapeutics. Dr. Itchhaporia has been recognized as a Master of the ACC and as California’s Cardiologist of the Year, and is widely regarded as a leading voice at the intersection of cardiology, artificial intelligence, and healthcare innovation.
Application information
CLIMB Clinical 2026 is open to global applications from all women physicians. Applications are made through The Pulse and will be accepted from April 20 to May 15.
Application requirements
All applicants are required to;
A few words from our community
It has truly been an honour to be part of CLIMB 2025, and I am deeply grateful for the support and guidance I received over the past six months. This meaningful and empowering program has been a very important step in my academic and professional journey.
Dr. Etkin Elifoğlu
Cardiology Resident, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Department of Cardiology, Ankara, Türkiye
CLIMB 2025 Participant
CLIMB 2025 was a great learning experience for me. Not only did it help me in my clinical career, but it also helped me to clear my interventional cardiology certification in my country, Pakistan, in which I excelled and got my FCPS Interventional Cardiology degree in November 2025
Dr Faiza Farooq, FCPS (cardiology), FCPS (Interventional cardiology), FESC
Assistant Professor, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, National Institute of Cardiovascular Disease (NICVD), Karachi, Pakistan
CLIMB 2025 Participant
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in CLIMB 2025. It was an amazing continuing medical education opportunity, and a great example of the strength of the female interventional cardiology community.
Ruxandra Sava, MD
Interventional cardiologist, Centre Hospitalier de Wallonie Picarde, Tournai, Belgium.
CLIMB 2025 Participant
Thank you very much for the opportunity to participate in CLIMB 2025. This was a very valuable addition to my recently completed short-term research fellowship on obstructive hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy at UCSF.
Maka Gegenava MD, PhD
Assistant Professor at Tbilisi State Medical University, Tbilisi, Georgia
CLIMB 2025 Participant
Frequently asked questions
How can I participate in your programs?
To participate in our programs, women cardiologists must join our community, The Pulse, where you can then apply. We recommend registering with your personal email address to ensure seamless access and continuity even if you change institutions.
What materials are required to apply for CLIMB?
All award applications require a letter of interest explaining your qualifications and how the award will help you boost your career. You will also need a letter of recommendation from a current or former colleague.
Can previous CLIMB participants register again?
Yes. You can apply for as many years of the CLIMB Program as you like.
How much does CLIMB cost?
The CLIMB program is completely free thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.
Is CLIMB a CME-accredited program?
CLIMB is not accredited for CME.
CLIMB 2026 sponsors
Thank you to the generous sponsors that are supporting CLIMB Clinical 2026.
Why sign up to our Community
The Pulse is a global professional community explicitly tailored for women cardiologists across diverse medical specialties.
Join us to embark on a journey of professional growth, collaboration, and empowerment. Together, let’s redefine the future of medicine.
Benefits and Opportunities
- Access tailored professional programs
- Unlock professional opportunities for thought leadership
- Lead in clinical trials and committees
- Gain access to a global network of women cardiologists
- Work with industry to develop your career and create better patient outcomes
