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7th Cardiovascular Symposium Shines Spotlight on Cardio-Pulmonary
Friday, November 7, 2025
175 providers gathered for the latest in cardiopulmonary care—lectures, Q&A, networking, and actionable takeaways from leading specialists
Ellis Medicine’s 7th Annual Cardiovascular Symposium drew a capacity crowd of 170 providers to the Rivers Resort Banquet Center in Schenectady on Wednesday, November 5. Even with expanded seating, the event—free to attend and including dinner—was at capacity, highlighting the region’s interest in practical, up-to-date insights in cardiopulmonary medicine.
The CME-accredited program provided a mix of lecture, discussion, and networking, giving attendees a chance to connect with colleagues while reviewing the latest in cardiopulmonary care. Industry exhibitors included Ion by Intuitive / DaVinci, Pulmonx, Boston Scientific, and Abiomed Inc. / Johnson & Johnson MedTech, an additional layer of perspective on emerging tools and treatments.
Clinical Highlights
- Sleep Disordered Breathing – Dr. Jehanzeb Khan outlined the links between sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease, emphasizing early recognition and management strategies. Dr. J. Khan is part of the Schenectady Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Disorders Center at Ellis Medicine.
- Pulmonary Hypertension: An Update for the General Practitioner – Dr. Christopher Dibble, of Cardiovascular Associates of Schenectady, reviewed risk factors, screening, and recent advances in therapy.
- Advances in Pulmonary Medicine and Bronchoscopy – Dr. Ahmed Khan discussed emerging techniques for diagnosis and intervention. Dr. A. Khan is also part of the Schenectady Pulmonary Critical Care and Sleep Disorders Center at Ellis Medicine.
- Thoracic Surgery in 2025 (and beyond): The Robotic Platform – Dr. Christopher Zambrano, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Ellis, highlighted robotic-assisted surgical approaches and their implications for patient outcomes.
Leslie Parikh, MD, FACC, and Saddam Abisse, MD, FACC, FASE, were the course directors for the 7th annual symposium, which was the largest event since its inception.
Two moderated Q&A sessions, led by Dr. Abisse, allowed attendees to engage directly with speakers and bring real-world questions to the discussion. Between courses and dessert, providers swapped tips and shared experiences, making the evening as much about community as content.
Providers left with actionable takeaways they could apply immediately in practice, from improved COPD treatment options to better understanding of lung cancer screening and management of pulmonary hypertension.
Ellis Medicine is accredited by The Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) to provide continuing medical education. Planning for the 8th annual event is in the works. It will be held in November 2026.
The Cardiovascular Symposium has become one of Ellis Medicine’s most popular annual events, consistently drawing a full house of engaged providers from across the region. We extend our sincere gratitude to the speakers for sharing their expertise and to the attendees for their enthusiasm and dedication to learning and advancing patient care. With this year's focus on cardio-pulmonary providing new insights into managing cardiac health in pulmonary patients, we’re already looking forward to the invaluable discussions that next year’s symposium will bring. Stay tuned for details on our 8th Annual Cardiovascular Symposium!
The team (below from left): Dr. Christopher Dibble, Dr. Christopher Zambrano, Dr. Leslie Parikh, Dr. Stephen Piancentine, Dr. Ahmed Khan, Dr. Saddam Abisse, Dr. Jehanzeb Khan. Dr. Parikh and Dr. Abisse served as course directors for the event.
Ellis Medicine | Newsroom
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