Value & Access Briefings
Dialysis Payment Changes and Cardiovascular Health: Navigating Risks and Supporting Innovation
Closing Gaps Between Cardiovascular Screening and Treatment
June 15, 2026 What Stakeholders Need to Know
Watch interviews with the speakers
Watch the full briefing
Moderator:
- Janet Wright, MD, MACC, Advisory Leadership Council Member, National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention
Panelists:
- Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk, PhD, RN, APRN-CNP, Former Chief Wellness Officer and Dean of the College of Nursing, The Ohio State University; Chair, National Forum for Heart Disease & Stroke Prevention
- Interview Summary
Dr. Bernadette Melnyk is the former VP for Health Promotion and Chief Wellness Officer, and the former Dean of the College of Nursing at The Ohio State University. She shares her perspective as a nurse on how healthcare systems can better move patients from cardiovascular risk identification to successful treatment and long-term disease management.
- Interview Summary
- Doug Sousa, Patient Perspective
- David J. Maron, MD, FASPC, C.F. Rehnborg Professor of Medicine, Chief of Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University
- Interview Summary
Doug Sousa is a cancer survivor and patient advocate with firsthand experience navigating cardiovascular risk identification, preventive treatment, and long-term adherence. His perspective offers valuable insight into the role of patient engagement, communication, and shared decision-making in improving cardiovascular outcomes.Dr. David Maron is the C.F. Rehnborg Professor of Medicine and Chief of the Stanford Prevention Research Center at Stanford University. He is also president-elect of the National Forum’s valued member and partner, the American Society for Preventive Cardiology.They share their perspectives as cardiologist and patient on the challenges and opportunities involved in moving patients from cardiovascular risk identification to successful long-term treatment.
- Interview Summary
- Andreas P. Kalogeropoulos, MD, MPH, PhD, Clinical and Outcomes Researcher, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
- Interview Summary
Dr. Andreas Kalogeropoulos is a clinical and outcomes researcher in cardiovascular medicine at the Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University. He shares his perspective on the persistent gap between cardiovascular risk identification and effective treatment.
- Interview Summary
- Ada D. Stewart, RPh, MD, FAAFP, Lead Provider and HIV Specialist, Cooperative Health
- Interview Summary
Dr. Ada Stewart is a primary care physician, lead provider and HIV Specialist at Cooperative Health, and former president of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). She shares her perspective as a primary care physician on the persistent gap between cardiovascular screening and treatment.
- Interview Summary
- Benjamin Bluml, RPh, Executive Director and SVP of Research and Innovation, APhA Foundation
- Interview Summary
Benjamin Bluml, RPh is the Executive Director and Senior Vice President for Research & Innovation at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Foundation. He discusses the persistent gap between cardiovascular screening and successful treatment from the perspective of pharmacy practice, patient adherence, and healthcare system design.
- Interview Summary
- Michael Cropp, MD, MBA, President and CEO, Independent Health
- Interview Summary
Dr. Mike Cropp is a family physician and the president and chief executive officer of Independent Health, a nonprofit health plan with a strong focus on population health. He discusses the persistent gap between cardiovascular risk identification and successful treatment from the unique perspective of both a practicing physician and health plan leader.
- Interview Summary
