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ForwardLawrence Blacher, M.D., Memorial Lecture: Advancing the Fight Against Cardiac Amyloidosis: A 2026 Update
Cardiac amyloidosis is an increasingly recognized and treatable cause of heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Advances in imaging, biomarkers, and targeted therapies have transformed how this condition is diagnosed and managed, making early recognition more important than ever.
Please join us to hear Omar F. Abou-Ezzeddine, M.D.C.M., M.S., at the Lawrence Blacher, M.D., Memorial Lecture, where he will provide a 2026 update on amyloid cardiomyopathy, highlighting current diagnostic strategies, emerging therapies, and practical approaches to patient care.
About Dr. Blacher
Dr. Lawrence Blacher was a pillar of the South Florida medical community. In practice for more than 40 years, he was instrumental in the founding and growth of Baptist Health Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute and one of the original members of HeartWell, the Institute’s cardiology group. He was a strong advocate for the collaborative approach to medicine, contributing his expertise, guidance and wisdom.
A second-generation physician, Dr. Blacher took a personal approach to medicine and devoted his time and energy to listen and connect with his patients. He was a kind soul whose actions remind us that compassion and empathy are at the heart of medicine.
In late 2022, Dr. Blacher found himself on the other side of the doctor-patient relationship when he was diagnosed with AL amyloidosis, a rare disease presenting a constellation of symptoms that complicated his diagnosis and treatment. During his courageous final days, Dr. Blacher’s only wish was to increase awareness within the medical community about this cruel disease.
This program is a manifestation of his final wish. Today, we honor his memory and pay tribute to Dr. Blacher’s commitment to lifelong learning and to improving the outcomes for those with AL amyloidosis.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this conference, participants should be better able to:
- Describe current and emerging diagnostic and imaging strategies in the diagnosis of amyloid cardiomyopathy.
- Apply supportive management strategies for the care of patients with amyloid cardiomyopathy.
- Evaluate current and emerging disease-modifying therapies for amyloid cardiomyopathy.
Who Should Attend
Cardiologists, hematologists, nephrologists, primary care physicians, general internists, neurologists, gastroenterologists, pulmonary medicine, pathologists, otolaryngologists, laboratory medicine, physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, hospitalists, nurses and other interested healthcare providers.
Agenda
| 5:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
| 6:00 p.m. | Opening Remarks and Introductions |
| 6:30 p.m. | Lecture |
| 7:15 p.m. | Q&A |
| 7:30 p.m. | Adjourn |
Registration and Fees
This conference is offered free of charge.
Agenda
| 5:30 p.m. | Welcome Reception |
| 6:00 p.m. | Opening Remarks and Introductions |
| 6:30 p.m. | Lecture |
| 7:15 p.m. | Q&A |
| 7:30 p.m. | Adjourn |
Faculty
Medical Director, Inpatient Heart Failure Practice
Director, Cardiac Sarcoidosis Clinic Division of Circulatory Failure Department of Cardiovascular Medicine
Associate Professor of Medicine Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Rochester, Minnesota
NOTE: Faculty subject to change.
Disclosures and Resolution of Conflict of Interest
Omar F. Abou-Ezzeddine, M.D.C.M., M.S., faculty of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose, and has indicated that the presentation or discussion will not include off-label or unapproved product usage
Sandra Chaparro, M.D., co-director of this educational activity, is an advisor for BridgeBio and Alnylam, and receives grant/research support from Merck, AstraZeneca, Edwards, Impulse Dynamics and Cordio Medical.
Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., co-director of this educational activity, has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose.
Dulce Blacher has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies* to disclose.
Ravi Ganesh, M.D., MPH, FACP, is a consultant for Outcomes.ai, OVAL Health, and Sound Therapeutics; and serves as a researcher for electroCore, Interaxon, and BioVie.
Barry T. Katzen, M.D., is an Advisor for Philips, Gore and Boston Scientific.
All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.
*Ineligible companies - Companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Accreditation
Baptist Health South Florida is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Baptist Health has been re-surveyed by the ACCME and awarded Commendation for 6 years as a provider of CME for physicians.
Baptist Health South Florida designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity has been approved for a total of 1 credit hours, CE Broker Course #20-1279054, by the Florida Boards of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine and by the Florida Council of Physician Assistants.
This activity has also been approved for 1 credit for Nurse Practitioners, Nurses, Pharmacists and Techs and Respiratory Therapists. Baptist Health South Florida CE Broker Provider #50-182.
The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB) accepts CEs accredited by the ACCME. Individuals are responsible for checking with the AANPCB for further guidelines.
AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ claimed by physicians attending live events certified and organized in the United States for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ can be claimed through the agreement on mutual recognition of credits between UEMS and AMA, considered as being equal to the European Continuous Medical Education Credits (ECMEC©) granted by the UEMS. One AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ is equivalent to one (1) hour of European EACCME Credit (ECMEC©). Each medical specialist should claim only those hours of credit that he/she actually spent in the educational activity.
Disclaimer
Baptist Health South Florida presents this CME activity for use by healthcare professionals for educational purposes only. Opinions, perspectives and information presented by the faculty represent their ideas and views, and participants should carefully consider all available scientific data before acting on knowledge gained through this activity. Additionally, participants should consult the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approved uses prior to prescribing medications or utilizing medical devices discussed in this activity.
While Baptist Health makes reasonable efforts to ensure that accurate information is presented, no warranty, expressed or implied, is offered. Participants should rely on their own clinical judgment, knowledge and experience before applying information acquired to their professional use.
Available Credit
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 1.00 General certificate of attendance