Allied Professional Lounge

12:00 - 1:00 PM
Do Symptoms Match the Rhythm? What the Science Actually Shows
Brought to you by Zio by iRhythm

Presenter: Jay Shah, MD

[Lunch Provided]

A review of contemporary evidence examining the correlation—or frequent disconnect—between patient-reported symptoms and documented arrhythmia burden and how this should influence monitoring strategies and shared decision-making.

4:00 - 5:00 PM
The Heart of Heart Rhythm: Honoring Allied Professionals’ Legacy and Impact
Brought to you by Zio by iRhythm

Presenters: 

• Aileen M. Ferrick, PhD, ACNP, RN, FHRS 
• Julie B. Shea, MS, ANP, FHRS, CCDS

[Lunch Provided]

Join us for a powerful and inspiring journey through the evolution of Allied Professionals (APs) in heart rhythm care—where history, impact, and connection come together.

This special session will trace the remarkable path of APs within the Heart Rhythm Society, from their early inclusion in NASPE to becoming integral, full members shaping the future of electrophysiology. Through this engaging presentation, you’ll gain insight into the pivotal contributions, challenges, and milestones that have defined AP leadership, clinical excellence, and advocacy within the field.

More than a history lesson, this is a celebration.

We are honored to welcome several pioneering AP nurses whose vision and dedication helped lay the foundation for today’s multidisciplinary care model. Their firsthand reflections will bring the story to life, offering a rare opportunity to connect past, present, and future.

7:30 - 8:15 AM
Sleep, Circadian Biology, and Arrhythmias
Brought to you by Zio by iRhythm

Presenter: Julie B. Shea, MS, ANP, FHRS, CCDS

[Breakfast Provided]

This session explores the pathophysiologic links between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), circadian disruption, and cardiac arrhythmias, highlighting key prevalence data and the impact of untreated sleep disorders on arrhythmia outcomes. Attendees will review current treatment strategies and gain practical guidance on the critical role Allied Professionals play in screening and coordinating care for patients at risk.

11:00 - 12:00 PM
Cardiac Devices, Wearables, and Disparities in Care
Brought to you by Zio by iRhythm

Presenter: Marco Perez, MD

[Lunch Provided]

This session examines how digital health innovations may unintentionally widen disparities driven by social determinants of health and what Allied Professionals can do to mitigate this gap.

3:00 – 3:30 PM
Inside IBHRE: From Certification to Continuous Competence
Brought to you by Zio by iRhythm

Presenter: Stephen Allenza
Manager, Continuing Competence
International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE)

[Lunch Provided]

IBHRE certifications and the IBHRE-C3 program form an integrated professional pathway designed to support lifelong competence in cardiac electrophysiology and device management. This session offers an inside look at the full IBHRE lifecycle—from initial certification through continuous competence—illustrating how peer-reviewed literature is translated into structured assessments and engaging participants in a guided, hands-on activity that demonstrates the C3 item development process using official IBHRE standards.

Session Objectives:

  - Describe the scope and purpose of IBHRE certification programs and the role of the C3 program in maintaining ongoing professional competence
  - Describe the end-to-end C3 workflow, from article recommendation and review through item assignment, development, and approval
  - Apply IBHRE-C3 item-writing standards by assembling a compliant assessment item using a structured, guided format

7:30 - 8:30 AM
Atrial Fibrillation in the CKM Era: Mechanisms, Multimorbidity, and Team-Based Care
Brought to you by Zio by iRhythm

Presenter: Rajat Deo, MD

[Breakfast Provided]

This session examines atrial fibrillation through the Cardiovascular Kidney Metabolic (CKM) framework, highlighting how comorbidities such as CKD, diabetes, and obesity influence AF mechanisms, treatment response, and outcomes and emphasizes the importance of multidisciplinary, team-based care in managing complex AF patients.

12:00 - 1:00 PM
Premature Atrial Contractions: From Benign Finding to Risk Marker
Brought to you by Zio by iRhythm

Presenter: Gregory M. Marcus, MD, FHRS

[Lunch Provided]

This session reviews recent data positioning Premature Atrial Contraction (PAC) burden as a predictor of incident paroxysmal AF and stroke and debates whether PACs should influence risk stratification or early intervention strategies.

3:00 - 3:30 PM
HRX @ HRS: HRX APP Shark Tank - Solving Everyday Problems with New Solutions

Presenters:

• Brynn E. Dechert-Crooks, APN, FHRS, CCDS
• Julie B. Shea, MS, ANP, FHRS, CCDS

Big innovation often starts with a simple question: Why is this still so hard? HRX APP Shark Tank spotlights practical, high-impact solutions designed to tackle everyday pain points in rhythm care from reducing device check burden through alert-based care models to AI-guided catheter design for patient-specific procedures. This fast-paced session showcases bold concepts, rapid-fire presentations, and an inside look at what it takes to bring usable, scalable tools to clinicians and care teams. Whether you’re building, evaluating, or adopting digital solutions, this is where real-world problems meet next-gen thinking.

3:30 - 4:30 PM
LEAP Showcase: Innovation & Impact in Action

Presenter:  Carrie Harvey, BSN, MSN, ACNP, APRN, DPhil, FHRS
2025-2026 LEAP Chair

Join us in the AP Lounge for the LEAP Showcase, where members of the LEAP Class of 2026 present the capstone projects they have developed throughout the program year. This interactive session highlights the leadership growth, innovation, and real-world impact cultivated through the Leadership and Education for Allied Professionals (LEAP) program. Attendees will hear brief presentations from participants as they share their project goals, implementation strategies, lessons learned, and measurable outcomes.

The LEAP Showcase offers a unique opportunity to:

  - Discover innovative ideas led by allied professionals
  - Engage directly with LEAP participants about their process and impact
  - Connect with LEAP alumni, faculty, and future applicants
  - Learn how the LEAP program develops leaders who drive change within their institutions and across the field

Whether you are a LEAP alum, a prospective applicant, or simply interested in advancing allied professional leadership, this session provides insight, inspiration, and meaningful connection within the AP community.

9:00 - 9:45 AM
Building an Effective Cardiac Monitoring Program: From Workflow to Quality Improvement
Brought to you by Zio by iRhythm

Presenters: 

• Erin Cardell, BSN, MSN, CPNP, CRNP
• Amanda Maples, BSN, MHA, RN

[Breakfast Provided]

This session focuses on how to design and sustain high-value cardiac monitoring programs, including team-based workflows, resource utilization and practical steps to launching a quality improvement project in your institution.