Member Meeting-May 14, 2026 at 2 pm MyMedSupplies-6149 Martin Way E, Lacey, WA 98516
Jim Elsner
When I was 49 years old, I had a significant heart attack. One that I should have died from but didn’t. I had a stent put in and about five months later had a 5-way bypass surgery. I spent the next nine years trying to regain some of the heart function that I lost with drug therapy like ace inhibitors and beta blockers, etc. I also got a pacemaker/defibrillator, because my heart rate was so low. Finally, in January of 2011 my heart nearly gave out. I spent 2 weeks in Providence Hospital on a dopamine and dobutamine drip. Unfortunately, whenever they tried to wean me off these drips, I went into heart failure. My cardiologist and I had a long talk and it was decided to send me to the UW Heart Institute in Seattle where they had more “tools in the box”. At UW I had an LVAD Heart Pump put into me. That truly saved my life, and I remained on the LVAD for 23 months. On December 23, 2012, I got the greatest Christmas present you can get, a heart transplant. I look forward to sharing with all of you, my journey from heart failure to a second chance at life on May 14th.
Member Meeting-April 9, 2026 at 2 pm MyMedSupplies-6149 Martin Way E, Lacey, WA 98516
Exercise-Exercises that are going to best strengthen our hearts and create endurance. Heather Sundean
Heather is an ACE-certified personal trainer and has worked for the South Sound YMCA for four years. Her goal is to support clients in building an enjoyable, rewarding, and long-lasting relationship with exercise. She specializes in resistance training for bone health and enjoys helping clients feel comfortable, confident, and like they belong in athletic settings. When Heather isn’t at the Y, she can be found in her home music studio, attending heavy metal concerts, or reading novels and cuddling with her cat, Buster Kitten.
Member Meeting-March 12, 2026 at 2 pm MyMedSupplies-6149 Martin Way E, Lacey, WA 98516
Kaitlyn Weinberg is a board-certified Nurse Practitioner who received her nursing education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and subsequently at Vanderbilt University. Her interest in cardiovascular medicine began during her work as a Registered Nurse, where she gained extensive experience caring for patients following cardiothoracic and vascular surgery. Her clinical experience is complemented by a foundation in biomedical research at Duke University and peer-reviewed publications in pulmonary epithelial injury science. She is passionate about patient education, evidence-based practice, and improving access to high-quality cardiovascular care in the community.
Autumn Spight, DNP, FNP-C, is a Cardiology Nurse Practitioner serving patients in the Olympia, Washington region. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, she worked as a cardiovascular nurse in Memphis, Tennessee, where she developed a strong foundation in cardiac care and patient advocacy. She is passionate about heart disease education, prevention, and empowering patients to better understand and manage their cardiovascular conditions. Autumn is committed to compassionate care for her patients and their families.
Member Meeting-February 12, 2026 at 2 pm New Meeting Place MyMedSupplies-6149 Martin Way E, Lacey, WA 98516
I attended the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for my MSN and am board-certified as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. I have an extensive background in advanced heart failure, cardiac transplant, as well as pulmonary hypertension and have a specific interest in coronary revascularization, valve repair and replacement, and minimally invasive thoracic surgery. In my free time I enjoy camping, hiking, and coaching various sports with my family.
Member Meeting-January 8, 2026 at 2 pm New Meeting Place MyMedSupplies-6149 Martin Way E, Lacey, WA 98516
Hi, I’m Suzanne Upfield, MSN. I am the Heart Failure Program Coordinator for Providence Health in the Southwest Washington area, and I’ve spent more than 25 years working in cardiac care—14 of those focused on heart failure. I hold a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus on Clinical Leadership. Over the years I’ve worked closely with Providence leadership and our cardiology team to build a program that truly supports patients living with heart failure. What drives me is helping patients and families feel empowered to take charge of their heart health. I’m excited to share some insights with you today and hopefully give you tools that make a real difference.
Chapter Board Meetings Chapter Board Meetings are open to the Chapter Members. We are currently meeting via Zoom the first Thursday of each month at 2 pm. If you are interested in attending, contact Michael Blonden at Mblonden@msn.com to receive a ZOOM link.
