Advancing Specialized Cardiac Care at UF Health Jacksonville
UF Health Jacksonville’s Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) team recently completed specialized Cardiac Surgical Unit Advanced Life Support (CSU-ALS) training led by David Lizotte, president of C.A.R.E., LLC. The internationally-recognized, evidence-based simulation program prepares multidisciplinary teams to safely manage cardiac emergencies in post-cardiac surgery patients — a population requiring resuscitation approaches beyond traditional Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) interventions. As the first location in Northeast Florida and the first UF location to receive this training, UF Health Jacksonville is strengthening its ability to respond to these complex cardiac emergencies.
Over the four-day program, 40 team members — including Intensivists, Advanced Practice Providers (APPs), Nurses, Respiratory Therapists, and a critical care Pharmacist — earned their CSU-ALS certification. Eight team members went a step further, completing additional coursework and training to become CSU-ALS trainers. With this expertise now in-house, UF Health Jacksonville can expand CSU-ALS training to the entire CVICU team, the St. Johns team, and, eventually, other UF Health Heart locations.
This milestone reflects UF Health Jacksonville’s continued commitment to patient safety, clinical excellence, and the Heart and Vascular program. It also supports the broader UF Health aspiration of becoming Florida’s premier health care system by 2030. By developing specialized expertise and expanding access to advanced training, we are better equipped to provide the right care, at the right time, for some of our most critically ill patients — while creating a sustainable training program for the future.
A special thank you to Jennifer Nitchmann, Chief Nursing Officer; Dr. David Skarupa, Associate Chief Medical Officer; and the CVICU Leadership for their vision, advocacy, and support in making this program possible. The team also extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Lizotte for sharing his knowledge and expertise and for his partnership in helping us advance specialized cardiac care.
