2026 International Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) Think Tank and Symposium

Join a panel of international experts for a review of global research initiatives and the latest in clinical approaches to the management of multifocal fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) and related entities of coronary and cervical artery dissection. Working groups will meet and report on their progress in revisiting the FMD phenotype, defining FMD-related research priorities, and incorporating patient priorities into international collaborations.

John B. Lally Family Foundation Early Career Travel Grant Award

• Opportunity for early career FMD clinicians and investigators.
• Individuals must be currently in training or within 3 years of terminal training program.
• Funding for air travel (economy class), 2 nights hotel accommodation, meals.
• Submit CV and a letter of interest to Heather.Gornik@UHHospitals.org with subject line: FMD Thinktank Early Career Travel Award detailing the following: past experience in FMD clinical care and research, future professional plans, and how participation in the symposium will augment the trainee’s professional journey.
• Letters of interest must be received by May 1, 2026, and awardees will be notified by May 31st of acceptance.
• Travel grant awardees will be recognized during the conference.

Agenda

Thursday, July 23rd

8:30 - 9:30 am Registration, Breakfast, Networking

9:30 - 9:55 am
And So We Meet Again! Welcome, Participant Introductions, History of the International FMD Collaboration
Dr. Heather Gornik and UH Team

Session I: Fundamentals, Progress, Present State | Dr. Jeffrey Olin, Moderator

Each talk ~ 12 minutes with 3 minutes for discussion unless noted

9:55 - 10:00 am
Brief Case Presentation
TBD

10:00 - 10:15 am
Revisiting the 2019 International Consensus
Dr. Alexandre Persu

10:15 - 10:30 am
North American Registry for FMD: Structure, Accomplishments, Future Directions
James Froehlich and Ms. Rachel Krallman

10:30 - 10:45 am
The European/International FMD Initiative
Dr. Alexandre Persu

10:45 - 11:00 am
Structure and Progress of the ARCADIA-POL Registry
Dr. Andrzej Januszewicz

11:00 - 11:05 am
My Top 5 Pearls of Wisdom for Starting a New FMD Clinical/Registry Center
Dr. Esther Kim

11:05 - 11:20 am
An Abbreviated History, Present, and Future of the FMD Society of America (FMDSA)
Ms. Pamela Mace

11:20 - 11:35 am
The Case for Revisiting the Phenotype:Is it Necessary to See the String of Beads to Diagnose FMD?
Dr. Jeffrey Olin

11:35 - 11:45 am
Additional Discussion

11:45 am - 1:00 pm | Participant Photo and Lunch

Session 2: Clinical Considerations I - Renal | Dr. Esther Kim, Moderator

Each talk ~ 12 minutes with 3 minutes for discussion unless noted

1:00 - 1:15 pm
Epidemiology of FMD…Zebra or Horse? What Does the Literature Tell Us? How Can we Get at “Prevalence"
Dr. Aaron Aday

1:15 - 1:30 pm
Longitudinal Follow-up of the French ARCADIA Cohort
Dr. Laurence Amar

1:30 - 1:45 pm
Link Between Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and FMD. How Could thisbe Further Explored?
Dr. Matthew Corriere

1:45 - 2:00 pm
Implementing the International Consensus Renal FMD/Revascularization Protocol in the Cath Lab: Practicalities and Cases
Dr. Mehdi Shishehbor

2:00 - 2:15 pm
Renal and Visceral Aneurysm Management:Current Guidelines, FMD-Specific Data, Case Review
Dr. W. Michael Park

2:15 - 2:20 pm
My Top 5 Pearls of Wisdom for Assessing and Treating Renal FMD in the Cath Lab
Dr. Tarek Hammad

Rapid Research Recap Presentations (7 minutes + 3 minutes discussion)

2:20 - 2:30 pm
Renal Duplex for FMD: Data from Emory and University Hospitals (7 + 3 min discussion)
Dr. Bryan Wells

2:30 - 2:40 pm
Renal Duplex for FMD: Data from Cleveland Clinic (7 + 3 min discussion)
Dr. Natalia Fendrikova-Mahlay

2:40 - 2:50 pm
Novel Duplex Markers for Assessing Renal FMD (e.g., Infrarenal Blood Flow) (7 + 3 min discussion)
Dr. Magdalena Januszewicz

2:50 - 3:00 pm
Renal Stenting vs. Angioplasty for FMD:Data from ARCADIA-POL  (7 + 3 min discussion)
Dr. Andrzej Januszewicz

3:00 - 3:15 pm |  Coffee and Networking Break

Session 3: Basic and Translational Science, Genetics | Dr. Santhi Ganesh and Dr. Jason Kovacic, Moderators

Dr. Santhi Ganesh and Dr. Jason Kovacic

3:30 - 3:45 pm
Human Genetics of FMD & Arterial Dissection: Genetic Architecture and Discovery
Dr. Santhi Ganesh

Dr. Nabila Bouatia-Naji

Dr. Jason Kovacic

Dr. Anna Mitchell

Dr. Scott Cameron

Friday, July 24th

Dr. Heather Gornik

Session 4: Clinical Considerations II – Cerebrovascular | Dr. Jeffrey Olin, Moderator

Each talk ~ 12 minutes with 3 minutes for discussion unless noted

10:05 - 10:10 am
Brief Case Presentation
TBD

10:10 - 10:15 am
My Top 5 Pearls of Wisdom for Assessing Carotid FMD in the Vascular Lab
Dr. Jeffrey Olin

10:15 - 10:25 am
Evolving Understanding of Cerebrovascular FMD. How Have Registry Data Informed Us? (7 + 3 min discussion)
Dr. Heather Gornik

10:25 - 10:40 am
Cervical Artery Dissection: Emerging Data From Global Studies
Dr. Andrew Southerland

10:40 - 10:55 am
Modern Management of Cerebral Aneurysm for Patients with FMD
Dr. Yin Hu

10:55 - 11:10 am
Endovascular Therapies for Acute Stroke and Cervical Dissection/Pseudoaneurysm
Dr. M. Shazam Hussain
 
11:10 - 11:25 am
Advancements in Headache Management Options for Patients with Migraine
Dr. Deborah Reed 

11:25 - 11:40 am
Carotid Web/Bulb Diaphragm: Emerging Evidence on Risk and Management
Dr. Kelsey Rose Duncan 

Rapid Research Recap Presentations (7 minutes + 3 minutes discussion)

11:40 - 11:50 am
Cervical Artery Dissection: Vascular Abnormalities Below the Neck and Recurrent Events (7 + 3 min discussion)
Dr. Daniella Kadian-Dodov
 
11:50 am - 12:00 pm
Impact of Medical Therapies on FMD Outcomes (7 + 3 min discussion)
Dr. Thoai Vu

12:00 - 1:00 pm | Lunch

Session 5: Now for Something Different: FMD in other Locations | Heather Gornik, MD, Moderator

Rapid Presentations, each talk ~ 7 minutes with 3 minutes for discussion unless noted

1:00 - 1:05 pm
Brief Case Presentation
TBD

1:05 - 1:15 pm
FMD of the Upper and Lower Extremities: Literature Review and Clinical Experience
Dr. Natalia Fendrikova-Mahlay

1:15 - 1:25 pm
Visceral Artery Dissections in FMD: Data From ARCADIA-POL
Dr. Magdalena Januszewicz

1:25 - 1:35 pm
Visceral Artery Dissections: Data from France
Dr. Laurence Amar

1:35 - 1:45 pm
Segmental Arterial Mediolysis (SAM): Distinguishing Features of an Important Differential Diagnosis
Dr. Aditya Sharma

1:45 - 1:55 pm
Microvascular (Retinal) Findings in Patients with FMD
Dr. Pulkit Chaudhury

1:55 - 2:05 pm
Does FMD Involve the Aorta?
Dr. Heather Gornik

2:05 - 2:15 pm | Additional Discussion

Session 6: Patient Perspectives, Quality of Life Advocacy | Pamela Mace, RN, Moderator

Rapid Presentations Each talk ~ 7 minutes with 3 minutes for discussion 

2:15 - 2:25 pm
From FMD-Be to FMD-EU: Journey of International Patient Partnerships
Ms. Cathlin Jamison

2:25 - 2:35 pm
Mental Health Impact of FMD: Data from University Hospitals
Ms. Dina Dejanovic

2:35 - 2:45 pm
How Does Experience with Other CV Diseases Inform the Approach to Anxiety in FMD
Dr. Samuel Sears 

2:45 - 2:55 pm
FMD and Pregnancy: Literature Review and UK Experience
Dr. Constantina Chrysochou

2:55 - 3:15 pm
Panel: Perspectives on the FMD Patient Experience
Ms. Erin Bartman
Ms. Caithlin Jamison
Dr. Valerie Toly
Ms. Tina Vanderpol
Ms. Wanda Ellis

3:15 - 3:30 pm | Coffee and Networking Break

Session 7: Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)| Rebecca Young, RN, Moderator

Each talk ~ 12 minutes with 3 minutes for discussion unless noted

3:30 - 3:35 pm
Brief Case Presentation
TBD

3:35 - 3:50 pm
What We Have Learned from the Canadian SCAD Cohort Including Impact of FMD
Dr. Jacqueline Saw

3:50 - 4:05 pm
Key Findings from the iSCAD Registry: A Case Study in Patients as Partners
Dr. Esther Kim

Rapid Presentations (7 minutes + 3 minutes discussion)

4:05 - 4:15 pm
Impact of Cardiac Rehabilitation for Patients with SCAD (7 + 3 min discussion)
Dr. Bryan Wells

4:15 - 4:25 pm
Evolving Concepts of Exercise and CV Risk: How Might This Apply to SCAD and FMD (7 + 3 min discussion)
Dr. Bradley Lander

4:25 - 4:35 pm | Additional Discussion

Session 8:  Report Out of Think Tank | Heather Gornik, MD, Moderator

4:35 - 4:45 pm
Revisiting the FMD Phenotype
TBD

4:45 - 4:55 pm
Research Priorities
TBD

4:55 - 5:05 pm
Patient Priorities
TBD

5:05 - 5:15 pm
Next Steps and Farewell
Dr. Heather Gornik and Planning Committee

5:15 pm | Meeting Adjourns

Program Participants

University Hospitals Participants
Kelsey Rose Duncan, MD
University Hospitals Neurological Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Heather Gornik, MD, Program Chair
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Tarek Hammad, MD
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Yin Hu, MD
University Hospitals Neurological Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Bradley Lander, MD
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Anna Mitchell, MD, PhD
Department of Genetics, University Hospitals
Cleveland, Ohio

W. Michael Park, MD
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Deborah Reed, MD
University Hospitals Neurological Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Mehdi Shishehbor, DO, PhD
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

United States Participants
Aaron Aday, MD
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee 

Erin Bartman
Patient Advocate, Ohio

Scott Cameron, MD
Cleveland Clinic 
Cleveland, Ohio

Pulkit Chaudhury, MD
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio

Matthew Corriere, MD 
Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio

Dina Dejanovic, MPH
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

Daniella Kadian Dodov, MD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York 

Wanda Ellis
Patient Advocate, Ohio

James Froehlich, MD 
University of Michigan
Michigan Clinical Outcomes Research & Reporting Program (MCORRP)
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Santhi Ganesh, MD
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan

M. Shazam Hussain, MD
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio

Esther Kim, MD
Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute
Charlotte, North Carolia

Rachel Krallman
University of Michigan MCORRP
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Natalia Fendrikova-Mahlay, MD
Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland, Ohio

Pamela Mace, RN
FMD Society of America (FMDSA)
Rocky River, Ohio
Rosemary Miklavcic, RN
Patient Advocate, Kentucky

Jeffrey Olin, DO
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York

Samuel Sears, PhD
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

Aditya Sharma, MBBS
Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute
Charlotte, North Carolina 

Andrew Southerland, MD
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia

Valerie Toly, PhD, RN
Patient Advocate, Ohio

Bryan Wells, MD
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia

Rebecca Young, RN
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

International Participants

Laurence Amar, MD
Universite Paris Cite
Paris, France 

Nabila Bouatia-Naji, PhD
Paris Cardiovascular Research Centre
Paris, France 

Constantina Chrysochou, MBChB, PhD
Salford Royal Hospital
Manchester, United Kingdon

Cathlin Jamison
International Patient Advocate 
FMD-EU
Brussels, Belgium

Andrzej Januszewicz, MD
Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw
Warsaw, Poland

Magdalena Januszewicz, MD
Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw
Warsaw, Poland

Jason Kovacic, MD, PhD
Victor Chang Institute
Darlinghurst, Australia

Alexander Persu, MD, PhD
Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc (UCL)
Brussels, Belgium

Jaqueline Saw, MD
Vancouver General Hospital
Vancouver, Canada

Tina Vanderpol, Retired Nurse
International Patient Advocate 
Vancouver, Canada

Planning Committee

Heather Gornik, MD, Program Chair
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Santhi Ganesh, MD
University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Esther Kim, MD
Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute
Charlotte, North Carolia

Jason Kovacic, MD, PhD
Victor Chang Institute
Darlinghurst, Australia

Pamela Mace, RN
FMD Society of America (FMDSA)
Rocky River, Ohio
Jeffrey Olin, DO
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, New York

Rebecca Young, RN
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Program Coordinators
Kourtney Daugherty
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute
Cleveland, Ohio

Harpreet Kaur, MS 
University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute
Cleveland, Ohio