Atrium Health - Bighearted Warriors Unite, Charlotte, NC

Join us for the Atrium Health - Bighearted Warriors Unite, Charlotte, NC, on Thurday, May 7th, 2026, at 6:30 PM EST. This is a free virtual event!

• George Mawardi MD – Advanced Imaging Capabilities in 2026
• Dermot Phelan MD – Exercise in HCM and Cardiac Rehab Program
• Lucy Rashid NP and Melissa Lang BSN – Novel Therapeutics and Ongoing Research Studies
• Shuktika Nandkeolyar MD – Understanding Today’s Heart Failure Treatments
• Lisa Salberg, HCMA CEO & Founder - Updates from the HCMA
• Panel discussion, Q and A: 15 mins

Dermot Phelan, MD

Co-Director, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center

Dr. Dermot Phelan is co-director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, where he leads specialized care, advanced imaging evaluation and research for patients with HCM. Board certified in internal medicine and cardiology, he brings internationally recognized expertise in sports cardiology and advanced cardiovascular imaging. Dr. Phelan has contributed extensively to national imaging guidelines for HCM and has authored more than 120 peer‑reviewed publications, including key work describing advanced imaging patterns used in the diagnosis of cardiomyopathies. A professor of Cardiovascular Medicine and the Gragg Endowed Chair, he is also a national leader in cardiovascular imaging education, serving on the board of the American Society of Echocardiography and co‑chairing its Scientific Sessions in 2025.

Shuktika Nandkeolyar, MD

Co‑Director, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center

Dr. Shuktika Nandkeolyar serves as co‑director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center, where she focuses on expanding access to high‑quality, innovative care for patients with HCM and advanced heart failure. Board certified in internal medicine, echocardiography and cardiology, she specializes in HCM, cardiogenic shock, transplant cardiology, amyloid and genetic cardiomyopathies, and mechanical circulatory support. Dr. Nandkeolyar’s clinical and research work spans hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, LVAD therapy, heart transplantation and cardiogenic shock, with multiple peer‑reviewed publications in these fields. She is committed to patient‑centered care, advanced therapies and improving outcomes for complex cardiomyopathy populations.

George Mawardi, MD

Cardiologist, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center

Dr. George Mawardi is a cardiologist within the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program, specializing in the diagnosis and management of HCM through advanced cardiac imaging and comprehensive cardiovascular care. Board certified in cardiovascular medicine, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and cardiac CT, he integrates multiple imaging modalities to evaluate structural heart disease and complex cardiomyopathies. Dr. Mawardi conducts ongoing research in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and advanced imaging strategies, building on prior research across heart failure, device therapy and structural heart interventions. He serves as an assistant professor at Wake Forest School of Medicine and medical director of PET and Nuclear Cardiology.

Lucy Rashid, NP

Nurse Practitioner, Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center

Lucy Rashid is a board‑certified adult gerontology nurse practitioner and certified heart failure nurse who provides specialized care within the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Program. She has extensive experience in HCM, advanced heart failure, transplant cardiology and sports cardiology. She is passionate about supporting patients through some of the most challenging periods of their lives and helping them regain function, confidence and quality of life.