

Episode # 39 • 16 Jun 2026
Integrating APPs in Cardiology Clinical Practice
How are advanced practice providers (APPs) helping to elevate cardiovascular care? In this episode of BackTable Cardiology, Dr. Sameh Sayfo, an interventional cardiologist at Baylor Scott & White in Dallas, interviews nurse practitioner Hallie McNew about her journey from bedside ICU nursing to leading roles in cardiac surgery and structural heart practice. They discuss the unique strengths APPs bring to cardiology teams, differences between NPs and PAs, and highlight how prior nursing experience, mentorship, and structured onboarding can elevate quality of care, efficiency, and communication for cardiac patients.
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
06:54 - APP as a Communication Bridge
10:34 - Training New Cardiology APPs
15:12 - Day In Structural Surgery Role
17:55 - Learning Imaging And EKG Skills
21:44 - Conferences and Continuing Education
27:59 - Building APP Communities And Programs
33:52 - Outpatient Hybrid Models And Hiring
39:11 - Billing Value and Patient Trust
42:03 - Handling Difficult Patient Conversations
47:27 - Wrap Up and Credits
Resources
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More about this episode
The conversation also covers best practices for orienting and mentoring new APPs, APP-led services, and the importance of learning to interpret primary data such as CT, ECHO, and EKG results. McNew shares insights on continuing education resources, including ACC subspecialty training, Mayo Clinic courses, and national meetings, plus strategies for building strong APP communities, optimizing staffing and billing models, and ways physicians and APPs can build patient trust. They also address the value of physician-APP partnerships, flexible scheduling, and the keys to creating true continuity from the hospital to the outpatient setting.
The Materials available on BackTable are provided for informational and educational purposes only and are not a substitute for the independent professional judgment of a qualified healthcare professional in diagnosing or treating patients. Any opinions, statements, or views expressed are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher, platform, or any affiliated organization.