Oahu, Hawaii October 8-11, 2025
24th Annual Hawaii Cardiovascular Symposium - The Ritz Carlton Oahu, Turtle Bay
Experience cutting-edge advancements in cardiovascular medicine at the 24th Annual Hawaii Cardiovascular Symposium. Engage with leading experts and stay abreast of the latest research and techniques in the field. Elevate your practice and network with peers at this premier event.
Program Directors
Program Director: Richard Wright, MD
Program Director: John Gordon, MD (retired)
Program Director: John Gordon, MD (retired)
Program Director: John Gordon, MD (retired)
Program Director: John Gordon, MD (retired)
Program Director: John Gordon, MD (retired)
EP Director: Shephal Doshi, MD
Program Director: John Gordon, MD (retired)
EP Director: Shephal Doshi, MD
Program Faculty
Matthew Budoff, MD, FACC, FAHA
Matthew Budoff, MD, FACC, FAHA
Matthew Budoff, MD, FACC, FAHA
Matthew Jay Budoff, MD, FACC, FAHA, is a professor of medicine at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Endowed Chair of Preventive Cardiology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Budoff is a graduate of University of California at Riverside (BS) and graduated a member of Alpha Omega Alpha from George Washington University School
Matthew Jay Budoff, MD, FACC, FAHA, is a professor of medicine at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the Endowed Chair of Preventive Cardiology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Budoff is a graduate of University of California at Riverside (BS) and graduated a member of Alpha Omega Alpha from George Washington University School of Medicine (MD).
Dr. Budoff has authored or coauthored more than 50 books and book chapters and more than 1000 articles. He has received numerous research grants from the National Institutes of Health. In addition to his 2015 appointment as the Endowed Chair of Preventive Cardiology at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, he has been recognized for his work by the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, from which he received the Gold Medal Award and recently designated as Master of the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (MSCCT). He was recently named Cardiologist of the Year by the American College of Cardiology California chapter
C. Noel Bairey Mertz, MD
Matthew Budoff, MD, FACC, FAHA
Matthew Budoff, MD, FACC, FAHA
C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, is Director of multiple women's heart health programs at Cedars-Sinai’s Smidt Heart Institute and serves as Professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her research focuses on ischemic heart disease, women’s cardiovascular health, mental stress, nutrition, Takotsubo Syndrome, adverse pregnancy outcomes,
C. Noel Bairey Merz, MD, is Director of multiple women's heart health programs at Cedars-Sinai’s Smidt Heart Institute and serves as Professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her research focuses on ischemic heart disease, women’s cardiovascular health, mental stress, nutrition, Takotsubo Syndrome, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and precision medicine, leading the NHLBI-sponsored WISE initiative.
She has secured significant investigational funding and maintains memberships and leadership roles in prestigious organizations such as the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association. A prolific researcher with over 450 publications and numerous awards, including the ACC Distinguished Scientist Award and the Bernadine Healy Leadership in Women’s CV Disease Award.
Jason T Lee, MD
Matthew Budoff, MD, FACC, FAHA
Jason T Lee, MD
Dr. Lee, Chief of Vascular Surgery at Stanford Medicine, graduated with honors from the California Institute of Technology, earned his MD from UC San Diego, and completed his General Surgery Residency at Harbor-UCLA, where he was influenced by pioneers in aortic endografting. After completing his vascular fellowship at Stanford, he remai
Dr. Lee, Chief of Vascular Surgery at Stanford Medicine, graduated with honors from the California Institute of Technology, earned his MD from UC San Diego, and completed his General Surgery Residency at Harbor-UCLA, where he was influenced by pioneers in aortic endografting. After completing his vascular fellowship at Stanford, he remained on faculty, serving as Program Director, Director of Endovascular Surgery, and becoming Division Chief in 2021.
A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Lee has received numerous teaching awards and holds leadership positions in national vascular organizations. He has delivered over 500 presentations, published more than 200 peer-reviewed articles, and focuses his research on innovations in aortic therapies and athletic vascular disorders.
Brian Jaski, MD
Brian Kolski, MD
Jason T Lee, MD
Dr. Jaski is a member of the San Diego Cardiac Center and Cardiology Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure program at Sharp Memorial Hospital. His undergraduate degrees were in electrical engineering and biology from MIT and MD degree from Harvard Medical School.
He subsequently completed his cardiology fellowship at the Brigham
Dr. Jaski is a member of the San Diego Cardiac Center and Cardiology Medical Director of the Advanced Heart Failure program at Sharp Memorial Hospital. His undergraduate degrees were in electrical engineering and biology from MIT and MD degree from Harvard Medical School.
He subsequently completed his cardiology fellowship at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. He has published in the areas of heart failure pathophysiology, pharmacology, circulatory support devices, and cardiac transplant. He is board certified in the subspecialty of Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant.
Raj Makkar, MD
Brian Kolski, MD
Brian Kolski, MD
Dr. Makkar is a world-renowned interventional cardiologist who specializes in minimally-invasive therapies for heart valve disease. Dr. Makkar is an innovator in the field of transcatheter heart valve therapy.
During his career, Dr. Makkar and his team has performed over 6,000 transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs) and more than
Dr. Makkar is a world-renowned interventional cardiologist who specializes in minimally-invasive therapies for heart valve disease. Dr. Makkar is an innovator in the field of transcatheter heart valve therapy.
During his career, Dr. Makkar and his team has performed over 6,000 transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVRs) and more than 2,000 transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) procedures. In addition, Dr. Makkar has participated in the development of many transcatheter devices that repair or replace defective heart valves without an incision to the patient’s chest or ribs.
Brian Kolski, MD
Brian Kolski, MD
Brian Kolski, MD
Dr. Brian Kolski, Director of the Orange County Heart Institute’s noninvasive vascular lab, is board certified in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular diseases. He leads the structural heart disease program at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, performing over 200 structural heart interventions annually and educating physician
Dr. Brian Kolski, Director of the Orange County Heart Institute’s noninvasive vascular lab, is board certified in interventional cardiology and cardiovascular diseases. He leads the structural heart disease program at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange County, performing over 200 structural heart interventions annually and educating physicians nationwide on vascular techniques and CHIP cases. A fellow of the American College of Cardiology and faculty member of SCAI, Dr. Kolski is also the team cardiologist for the Anaheim Ducks. He earned his MD from Loyola Stritch School of Medicine and completed his training at UC San Diego, maintaining certifications in cardiology and interventional cardiology.
Faculty Affiliations
