Over the years, Andrew Wilk has presented a number of specials at The Westport Library, including conversations with award-winning journalists and documentarians, concert performances, and even a discussion with deep sea explorer Robert Ballard.
Starting Tuesday, March 14, Wilk will offer up his latest partnership with the Library, a three-part series with renowned doctors focusing on cardiovascular health.
The first of these, set for 7 pm on March 14 in the Library’s Trefz Forum, will examine coronary artery disease, followed by heart valve disease on March 22 and atrial fibrillation on April 17. Each presentation will feature graphics and video depicting the topics being discussed and will include a question-and-answer period for the audience to engage.
Ed. Note (March 14, 2023): Due to inclement weather, the first event in this series was moved from March 14 to March 22. In turn, Part II has been rescheduled from March 22 to April 17, with Part III being rescheduled from April 17 to a date yet to be determined.
The participating physicians are Mitchell Dreisman, Ari Pollack, Chirag Shah, and Murali Chiravuri. Robert Altbaum, the longtime and noted Westport internist, will moderate the panel discussions.
“This is an opportunity for the community to learn about important medical issues in both a didactic and interactive setting,” said Altbaum. “These cardiac topics will be relevant to large segments of Fairfield County residents. Each discussion will provide a general review as well as state-of-the-art updates of the topic.”
Said Wilk, a five-time Emmy Award winner and the former executive producer of Live From Lincoln Center: “We hope it is informative, thought-provoking and, dare we say, fun.”
The first session will feature Altbaum, Dreisman, and Pollack, who will discuss cholesterol and its impact on cardiovascular disease. Shah will step in for Pollack in the second session, on March 22, to discuss what happens to the patient when the anatomy of heart valves is impaired. And closing out the series on April 17 will be Altbaum, Dreisman, and Chiravuri, an expert in electrophysiology, who will highlight the causes, medical complications, medical treatment, and newest ablation therapies for atrial fibrillation.
“Once again, Andrew has collected a series of brilliant minds to discuss a topic of interest to our community,” said Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer. “We’re looking forward to welcoming Andrew, Dr. Altbaum, and all the accomplished panelists to the Library for this fascinating series.”