St. Francis has been recognized nationally for its leadership in clinical excellence and research integrity, earning a Tier 1 Scholarship for its performance in the IMPROVE Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) Study.
The IMPROVE CRT Study is designed to evaluate whether outcomes for patients with complex coronary lesions improve when procedures are guided by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) compared to angiography alone. St. Francis’ high-performing results signal a promising future for its expanding research program and its role in contributing to national medical innovation.
The St. Francis team, Dr. Nauman Khalid, interventional cardiologist, Dr. Niku Thapa, internal medicine resident and Nayana Shrestha, nurse practitioner, enrolled 37 patients, placing the organization in the top half of all enrolling sites nationwide.
St. Francis exceeded enrollment levels achieved by several major academic institutions, including Rush University and Emory, underscoring the hospital’s growing impact on cardiovascular research.
In addition to strong enrollment, the St. Francis research team demonstrated exemplary data quality — submitting all data and imaging on time with zero queries. This level of accuracy and compliance qualified St. Francis for the elite Tier 1 Scholarship, a distinction awarded to only 14 of the 50 participating sites across the country.
The IMPROVE CRT Scholarship, supported through an educational grant, provides early-career professionals, including fellows in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Interventional Radiology, and Vascular Surgery with full access to the annual Cardiovascular Research Technologies conference.
Cardiovascular Research Technologies is a leading educational forum for advancing cardiovascular technology and procedures. The conference brings together a wide range of specialists and offers evidence‑based programming, hands-on training, and the latest clinical trial insights, providing valuable opportunities for learning and collaboration across the field.
As a Tier 1 Scholarship recipient, FMOL Health | St. Francis will send two research team members to the CRT Investigator Meeting in Washington, D.C., this March.
“This achievement is a true testament to Dr. Nauman Khalid, Dr. Niku Thapa and Nayana Shrestha’s dedication, accuracy, and commitment to research excellence,” said Dr. Thomas Gullatt, northeast Louisiana market president, “For St. Francis to earn this distinction during our first clinical trial speaks volumes about the strength of our team and our mission to provide access to cutting-edge cardiovascular care for our community.”
For more information visit stfran.com
