FMOL Health | St. Francis Awarded IMPROVE Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy 2026 Scholarship
March 05, 2026
Monroe, LA – FMOL Health | St. Francis has been recognized nationally for its leadership in clinical excellence and research integrity, earning a Tier 1 Scholarship for its outstanding performance in the IMPROVE trial being presented at the 2026 Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT) meeting in Washington, DC – marking a major milestone in the hospital’s first ever clinical trial.
The St. Francis team, Dr. Nauman Khalid, interventional cardiologist, Dr. Niku Thapa, internal medicine resident and Nayana Shrestha, nurse practitioner, enrolled 37 patients, placing the organization in the top half of all enrolling sites nationwide. St. Francis exceeded enrollment levels achieved by several major academic institutions, including Rush University and Emory, underscoring the hospital’s growing impact on cardiovascular research.
In addition to strong enrollment, the St. Francis research team demonstrated exemplary data quality — submitting all data and imaging on time with zero queries. This level of accuracy and compliance qualified St. Francis for the elite Tier 1 Scholarship, a distinction awarded to only 14 of the 50 participating sites across the country.
The IMPROVE CRT Scholarship, supported through an educational grant, provides early-career professionals, including fellows in Interventional Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Interventional Radiology, and Vascular Surgery — with full access to the annual Cardiovascular Research Technologies conference.
Cardiovascular Research Technologies is a leading educational forum for advancing cardiovascular technology and procedures. The conference brings together a wide range of specialists and offers evidencebased programming, hands-on training, and the latest clinical trial insights, providing valuable opportunities for learning and collaboration across the field. As a Tier 1 Scholarship recipient, FMOL Health | St. Francis will send two research team members to the Cardiovascular Research Technologies Investigator Meeting in Washington, D.C., this March.
“This achievement is a true testament to Dr. Nauman Khalid, Dr. Niku Thapa and Nayana Shrestha’s dedication, accuracy, and commitment to research excellence,” said Dr. Thomas Gullatt, northeast Louisiana market president, “For St. Francis to earn this distinction during our first clinical trial speaks volumes about the strength of our team and our mission to provide access to cutting-edge cardiovascular care for our community.”
The IMPROVE trial is a randomized study designed to evaluate whether outcomes for patients with complex coronary lesions improve when procedures are guided by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) compared to angiography alone. St. Francis’ high-performing results signal a promising future for its expanding research program and its role in contributing to national medical innovation.
About FMOL Health | St. Francis
FMOL Health | St. Francis is a not-for-profit Catholic healthcare ministry based in Monroe, Louisiana, with more than 1,800 team members committed to caring for those we serve. With a 328-bed medical center, acute-care hospital, freestanding outpatient center, over 25 outpatient clinics, and nearly 350 physician partners, for more than 110 years, St. Francis has provided comprehensive healthcare services for a variety of medical and surgical specialties. St. Francis offers Northeast Louisiana’s only Level III NICU, Level III OB, OB-ED, and Level II PICU services. St. Francis Medical Center leads the region in heart and vascular services, critical care, and complex and minimally invasive surgical procedures. The hospital offers a designated Level III Trauma Center, a Graduate Medical Education Program, Accredited Chest Pain Center, Accredited Primary Stroke Center and Centers of Excellence in the areas of bariatric surgery, minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, minimally invasive gynecology, breast health and specialized anesthesia. St. Francis is part of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System and is driven by its mission to serve all God’s people, especially those most in need. For more information, visit stfran.com.