University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center

09/21/2026

This week, we are recognizing the teamwork involved in a recent cardiac arrest save.

In July, a UA employee went into cardiac arrest in a crosswalk near the University of Arizona. A bystander immediately started CPR, aided by the call taker and dispatcher at Public Safety Communications Department. A police officer with University of Arizona Office of Public Safety arrived and took over compressions. TFD's Engine 45 and Paramedic 45 arrived and provided advanced life support. By the time the patient reached the hospital, he was alert and oriented.

This save is a great example of how quick action and coordinated response at every step can make a life-saving difference.

Amazing teamwork, everyone!

08/21/2026

Today is GME Professionals Day, and Sarver Heart Center recognizes two people who help make our Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program work every day: Christeana Castro, Lead, Medical Education, and Jessica Weine, Fellowship Program Administrator.

Their work is visible in the big moments, like graduation, and in the day-to-day details that keep fellowship training moving — recruitment, schedules, curriculum, compliance, problem-solving and support for our fellows and faculty.

Faculty describe the cardiology fellowship culture as one that “promotes cohesiveness and provides an environment that fosters personal growth.” That does not happen by accident.

Thank you, Christeana and Jessica, for the care, consistency and commitment you bring to medical education.

University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson Banner Health

08/18/2026

The conversation continued after Grand Rounds.

We were honored to host Darren K. McGuire, MD, MHSc, of UT Southwestern Medical Center, one of the world’s leading experts in cardiometabolic medicine.

After sharing insights from landmark clinical trials of GLP-1 therapies that are reshaping cardiovascular care, Dr. McGuire stayed to meet with our cardiology fellows, answer questions and discuss the rapidly evolving future of the field.

Thank you, Dr. McGuire, for sharing your expertise and investing your time in the next generation of cardiovascular specialists.

07/21/2026

Congratulations to Sarver Heart Center Associate Director Sakthivel Sadayappan, PhD, MBA, FAHA, on being named chair-elect of the American Heart Association Council on Basic Cardiovascular Sciences for the 2026–2028 term.

One of the AHA's largest scientific councils, the BCVS Council brings together cardiovascular researchers from around the world to advance discovery, education and collaboration.

Dr. Sadayappan's appointment reflects the Sarver Heart Center's commitment to advancing cardiovascular research and improving heart health through scientific leadership.

Read more: https://heart.arizona.edu/news/sakthivel-sadayappan-named-chair-elect-aha-basic-cardiovascular-sciences-council

The Sarver Heart Center associate director will help guide one of the American Heart Association’s largest scientific councils from 2026 to 2028.

06/10/2026

Researchers at the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center have identified a previously unknown connection between mitochondria and the nucleus, a discovery published today in Nature.

The finding provides new insight into how cells coordinate energy production, gene activity and development. The research could have implications across many areas of biology, from cardiovascular science to aging and disease.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-026-10588-3