American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Liaison Report From the Communications Committee

Introduction This feature highlights the contributions and achievements within the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing (CVSN) that were announced during the AHA/ASA 2024 Scientific Sessions 100th anniversary held in Chicago, IL, on November 15 through 18. We also provide details on the 2024 to 2027 CVSN Strategic Plan and upcoming 2025 AHA conferences. Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing Award Winners 2024 Individuals who made significant achievements in research, clinical practice, and service to improve the health of those with cardiovascular disease and stroke were recognized at the AHA/ASA 2024 Scientific Sessions, during the CVSN Annual Meeting. The awards are presented at AHA/ASA Scientific Sessions annually and include special presentations along with financial rewards. These awards recognize the exceptional contributions of researchers, clinicians, scientists, and allied health professionals whose dedication to improving science, knowledge, and clinical practice; advancing cardiovascular and stroke care; and impacting health outcomes of patients and caregivers, within the AHA's mission. The CVSN applauds the 2024 winners and encourages the dissemination and implementation of scholarship and science to improve patient outcomes through the advancement of cardiovascular nursing science. This year, Debra K. Moser, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA, received during the Opening Session, along with five physician scientists, the Distinguished Scientist Award that honors AHA members who have made extraordinary contributions to cardiovascular and stroke research. She is only the fifth nurse scientist to be selected as a Distinguished Scientist since the award was first given by the AHA. Her work has importantly advanced our understanding and management of cardiovascular disease. She is a Professor at the University of Tennessee and Professor Emeritus at the University of Kentucky. She is the director of the RICH (Research and Interventions for Cardiovascular Health) Heart Program, an international research collaborative dedicated to cardiovascular research and mentorship. The CVSN Distinguished Achievement Award is presented every 3 years and recognizes those who have made major contributions to the affairs of the CVSN over a continuing period and those who have provided professional leadership in national or international organizations. The 2024 winner is Mariann R. Piano, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA. She is Nancy and Hilliard Travis Professor of Nursing, Senior Associate Dean for Research, and Postdoctoral Fellowship Director at Vanderbilt University. She has a distinguished career in substance abuse research focusing on understanding the adverse effects of unhealthy alcohol drinking patterns on the cardiovascular system. The Kathleen A. Dracup Distinguished Lecturer in Exemplary Career in Mentoring Award highlights the importance of early-career mentoring in CVSN. This award honors a senior member of the CVSN who is well known for their gifts and generosity in mentoring early-career scientists. The 2024 winner is Anna Stromberg, RN, PhD, FAAN, FESC, FAHA. She is a professor of nursing and the Vice Dean for Research and Doctoral Education at the Faculty of Medicine, Linköping University, Sweden. She is also a heart failure nurse specialist at Linköping University hospital. Her research focuses on developing interventions for rehabilitation and psycho-educational support to people with long-term cardiac illness and their families. The Katherine A. Lembright Award and Lecture recognizes and encourages excellence in cardiovascular research by established nurse scientists. It honors Katharine A. Lembright, who played an important role in the development and growth of the CVSN. The 2024 winner is Holli A. Devon, PhD, MS, RN, FAAN, FAHA. The Mathy Mezey Excellence in Aging Award recognizes individuals who have distinguished themselves in promoting competence in caring for elderly patients with cardiovascular or stroke through teaching, research, and/or practice. The award is named in honor of Mathy Mezey, EdD, RN, FAAN, who led a nationwide project that highlighted care for older adults. The 2024 winner is Tiny Jaarsma, PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA. The Excellence in Clinical Practice Award acknowledges excellence in cardiovascular nursing clinical practice by an active member of the CVSN. The 2024 winner is Ann-Leonhardt-Caprio, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, SCRN, FAHA. The Research Article of the Year Award recognizes the importance of publication in promoting the goals of the AHA/ASA and CVSN and encourages the dissemination of cardiovascular nursing science, and applauds the authors for clearly communicating the nursing perspective in the context of cardiovascular research, practice, and theory. The 2024 winner is Salah Al-Zaiti, PhD, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC, FAHA, for the article entitled “Machine Learning for ECG Diagnosis and Risk Stratification of Occlusion Myocardial Infarction,” published in Nature Medicine.1 The Clinical Article of the Year Award acknowledges a publication promoting the goals of the AHA and CVSN and encourages the dissemination of cardiovascular nursing science. The 2024 winner is Lucinda J. Graven, PhD, APRN, FAHA, for her article entitled “Self-Care Problems and Management Strategies Experienced by Rural Patient/Caregiver Dyads Living with Heart Failure: A Qualitative Study,” published in the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.2 The Stroke Article of the Year Award recognizes the scientific and clinical contributions of cerebrovascular nurses in promoting the goals of the AHA. It also recognizes scientific excellence in cerebrovascular nursing science and encourages investigation that will further knowledge and skills in this area. The 2024 winner is Davide Bartoli, PhD student, for his article entitled “Stroke Disease-Specific Quality of Life Trajectories and Their Associations With Caregiver's Anxiety, Depression, and Burden,” published in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.3 The Marie Cowan Promising Young Investigator Award is awarded to a junior investigator who demonstrates scientific excellence and the spirit of innovation. The award is named in honor of Dr. Marie Cowan for her enduring legacy of scientific excellence and mentorship. The 2024 winner is Shannon Halloway, PhD, RN, FAHA. The Martha N. Hill New Investigator Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of young investigators in understanding, preventing, and treating cardiovascular disease. There were three finalists, Stephanie Helman, PhD, Austin M. Matus, PhD, RN, and Telisa Spikes, PhD, RN. The 2024 winner is Austin M. Matus, PhD, RN. The Best Abstract Award is given to the top-rated CVSN abstract presented at the Scientific Sessions. The 2024 winner is Dion Candelaria, PhD, RN, for the abstract entitled “Digital Health-Based Interventions Improve Healthy Behaviors, Weight Loss, and Psychological Well-Being in Older Adults at Risk for Cardiovascular Disease.” The following CVSN members were recognized as new Fellows of the AHA (FAHA) 2024: Lori Erickson, PhD, MSN, CPNP-PC, Jeroen Hendriks, PhD, MSc, RN, Jacob Kariuki, PhD, AGNP, Mulubrhan Mogo, PhD, MSc, Kashica Webber-Ritchey, PhD, MHA, RN, Martha Abshire Saylor, PhD, MSN, RN, FHFSA, Carolyn Horne, PhD, MSN, RN, BCB, Beth Hundt, PhD, APRN, Holly Jones, PhD, RN, CFNP, RNFA, Elizabeth Moxley, PhD, RN, Bunmi Ogungbe, PhD, MPH, BNSC, RN, Monica Parry, NP-Adult, MEd, MSc, PhD, Meghan Reading Turchioe, PhD, MPH, RN, and Kimberly Souffront, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FAAN. The following CVSN members were recognized as new Fellows of the American Academy of Nursing 2024: Laurie Abbott, PhD, RN, DipACLM, PHNA-BC, Shelli L. Feder, PhD, APRN, FNP-C, ACHPN, FPCN, FAHA, and Cherlie Magny-Normilus, PhD, FNP-BS, FNYAM. Upcoming Scientific Sessions in 2025 Attending Scientific Sessions is a valuable opportunity to disseminate research and engage with leading experts in cardiovascular disease and stroke science. Abstract submissions for Scientific Sessions 2025 will open in April. Plan to attend one or more of the 2025 conferences: EPI/Lifestyle 2025 Scientific Sessions Epidemiology and Prevention, and Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health, March 6-9, 2025, New Orleans, LA Vascular Discovery: From Genes to Medicine Scientific Sessions 2025 April 22-25, 2025, Baltimore, MD Basic Cardiovascular Sciences Scientific Sessions 2025 July 23 to 26, 2025, Baltimore, MD Hypertension Scientific Sessions 2025 September 4 to 7, 2025, Baltimore, MD Resuscitation Science Symposium 2025 November 8 to 9, 2025, New Orleans, LA AHA/ASA Main Scientific Sessions 2025 November 7, Pre-Sessions Symposia & Early Career Day November 8 to 10, 2025, New Orleans, LA