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.”
NOTE: Due to inclement weather, this event has been rescheduled from March 14 to March 22.
Andrew Wilk returns with a brand new, three-part series focusing on cardiovascular health.
The first part of this Westport Library Medical Series will focus on coronary artery disease, featuring Dr. Robert Altbaum, Dr. Ari Pollack, and Dr. Mitchell Dreisman in conversation.
If you missed the event, you can watch the recording HERE.
Coronary artery disease: Taming America’s #1 killer. One in four deaths in the U.S. is due to coronary artery disease. How to fight back! Dr. Altbaum will introduce the subject and discuss what are the risk factors that contribute to coronary artery disease. Dr. Pollack will discuss cholesterol, its impact on cardiovascular disease, and its current management. Dr. Dreisman will review the presentation, management, and new technologies used to treat coronary artery disease.
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About the series:
Andrew Wilk and The Westport Library are excited to present the Westport medical lectures. This is an opportunity for the community to learn about important medical issues in both a didactic and interactive setting. 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. Dr. Robert Altbaum, a longtime Westport internist will moderate the sessions, but will always be joined by specialists in the field being reviewed. During a question-and-answer period, audience participation will be encouraged. We hope it is informative, thought provoking and, dare we say, fun.
Learn about the most common and important cardiovascular diseases that impact the health of our community. Internist Dr. Robert Altbaum and cardiologist Dr. Mitchell Dreisman will moderate the discussions. Each installment will feature a cardiology specialist who will provide an overview of the stated topic and highlight the newest medications and technologies available. The hope is to update the community about the incredible strides made in cardiovascular medicine in understandable medical language. Time will be provided for questions.
The full series, at a glance:
Part One: Coronary artery disease: Taming America’s #1 killer. One in four deaths in the U.S. is due to coronary artery disease. How to fight back! Dr. Altbaum will introduce the subject and discuss what are the risk factors that contribute to coronary artery disease. Dr. Pollack will discuss cholesterol, its impact on cardiovascular disease, and its current management. Dr. Dreisman will review the presentation, management, and new technologies used to treat coronary artery disease. PLEASE REGISTER HERE
Part Two: Valvular heart disease: Remarkable progress in heart valve disease. Once a disease requiring open heart surgery, strides in heart valve disease treatment represent the epitome of breakthroughs in non-surgical technologies. Dr. Altbaum will give an overview of the anatomy of heart valves. Dr. Chirag Shah will discuss what happens to the patient when that anatomy is impaired. He will focus on aortic stenosis and mitral regurgitation. Emphasis will be on the extraordinary new non-surgical methods of treatment. PLEASE REGISTER HERE
Part Three: Atrial fibrillation: Understanding the most common cardiac rhythm disturbance. What it is and why it is so important! Everyone seems to know someone with atrial fibrillation. It's time we learned more about it. Dr. Altbaum will explain what atrial fibrillation means and what it looks like on an electrocardiogram. Dr. Murali Chiravuri, an expert in electrophysiology, will highlight the causes, medical complications, medical treatment, and newest ablation therapies for atrial fibrillation. PLEASE REGISTER HERE
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Andrew Wilk is a five-time Emmy Award winning television, film, music, and media producer. As the former executive producer of Live From Lincoln Center, Wilk created programs that featured performances by the New York Philharmonic, American Ballet Theater, Lincoln Center Theater, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and many other world-class visiting artists.
