Professor Liesl Zühlke’s AHA Award Visit to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital (Copy)

The prestigious American Heart Association (AHA) Visiting Professorship Award provided Professor Liesl Zühlke, an accomplished researcher, clinician and teacher, and RRCU collaborator to travel from her hometown of Cape Town, South Africa, to Cincinnati, Ohio, USA to mentor and collaborate with US-based trainees and RRCU colleagues. Between meetings, presentations and rounds at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Professor Zühlke made valuable contributions through a variety of activities that bridged clinical practice and academic learning.

Sharing her personal story and professional expertise with a broader audience, Professor Zühlke delivered presentations at the Institute's grand rounds and to pediatric residents. These sessions provided context into her work and sparked meaningful discussions and provided fresh insights into global pediatric cardiovascular care. Her experience working as the only female full professor of pediatric cardiology in South Africa, offered a unique perspective on cardiovascular and health system challenges in middle-income countries, enriching the learning experience for all attendees. One US-based RRCU Program Coordinator who attended one of the lectures noted, “Professor Zühlke’s talk was truly inspiring. It was amazing to hear about how she overcame barriers along her career path and credit that she gives her mentors and community in supporting her. She is committed to “paying it forward” by uplifting the next generation of clinicians and researchers. RRCU is so fortunate to have her as a leader and collaborator.”

Caption: a feature of Prof. Zuhlke’s visit included a series of RRCU planning and writing sessions aimed at advancing some of RRCU’s research grant applications and strategic planning.

While in Cincinnati, Professor Zühlke also observed clinical rounds and conferences, offering her perspective and clinical guidance and strengthening the educational atmosphere within the Institute. She also collaborated with the RRCU team on a new grant proposal. The team, which included visiting RRCU collaborators from the University of Washington, Children’s National Hospital, and the Uganda Heart Institute, held productive in-person working sessions among co-Investigators, RRCU administrative staff, and subject matter experts, which helped advance and refine the project’s research goals.

Professor Zühlke 's visit not only furthered cardiovascular education and research but also deepened professional connections, driving forward the collective mission of both the Heart Institute and the RRCU. This experience, supported by the AHA Visiting Professor Award, exemplifies the power of international collaboration in advancing healthcare knowledge and innovation.

Caption: The team of RRCU investigators and project staff took a quick break from planning meetings to enjoy January’s snowy weather.