SUMMARY
Vuyisile T. Nkomo, M.D., M.P.H., is interested in various aspects of cardiovascular diseases, in particular valvular heart diseases and echocardiography. Dr. Nkomo's research has led to the awareness that valvular heart diseases are a major public health problem. His active research interests in echocardiography also focus on the detection, assessment and management of valvular heart disease.
Dr. Nkomo is highly involved in the education of future physicians and trainees as well as in continuing professional development for practicing health care providers and researchers.
Focus areas
- Epidemiology and public health. An area of focus includes studying the frequency, causes and effects of diseases in communities. Dr. Nkomo is currently leading a study looking at the changing incidence and prevalence of valvular heart disease in the area surrounding Mayo Clinic's campus in Olmsted County, Minnesota, and has recently collaborated on a project on heart failure in the community, with funding from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
- Management of valvular heart disease. Dr. Nkomo is an active participant in research investigating the use of nonsurgical catheter-based techniques to treat valvular heart disease, such as transcatheter aortic valve or mitral valve repair or replacement.
- Medical and research education. Dr. Nkomo is a devoted educator and mentor and contributes to an ongoing NHLBI-funded program for institutional short-term research training for students of diversity.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Nkomo's research has led to the recognition and awareness that valvular heart diseases are a major public health problem, justifying the need for additional resource allocation, continued research and discoveries in this area to help address some of the unmet public health needs. He also strives to ensure that high-quality patient care continues through patient-related research and through education of the current and succeeding generations of health care professionals.
Professional highlights
- Section editor, Valvular Heart Disease, Current Cardiology Reports, 2011-2014