Congratulations, it is an Honor to Feature
HANNAH L. BURMEISTER, FNP
Cardiac Nurse Practitioner and
Co-Director, Innovation Cardiology Clinic for the Aorta
Hannah Burmeister’s work with high-risk cardiology patients extends across the clinical to the digital world.
As a cardiac NP at Innovation Cardiology, a busy Norfolk practice with a dedicated aortic clinic, Burmeister cares for patients with a variety of congenital and acquired heart disorders.
In addition, as Co-Founder and Director of Outreach for Innovation Health Services (IHS), a national telecardiology digital practice focused on diagnostic cardiothoracic imaging, she has helped build a robust network of cardiologists and radiologists with specialized expertise to provide high-risk cardiac CT and MRI interpretation for hospitals and clinics across the U.S.
“My job is a joy,” Burmeister says. “I love knowing that we’re helping patients not only in Hampton Roads but across the country.”
Burmeister diagnoses and treats patients with thoracic aortic diseases, cardiac valve abnormalities, disorders in cardio-obstetrics and cardio-oncology, and chest pain with risk of coronary disease most days of the week.
At the same time, she is tasked with growing the IHS network of facilities in need of diagnostic services and physicians interested in joining the initiative. She frequently travels for site visits to educate physicians, technologists and nurses in cardiac imaging workflow and safety.
IHS has grown to 50-plus cardiac imagers who interpret digital studies remotely, achieving a 38-minute turnaround time for emergency scans and improving patient outcomes, reducing costs, and preventing unnecessary hospitalizations.
Cardiac CT is now the first-line testing strategy for most cases of chest pain, according to American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology guidelines. Many medical facilities have the right equipment but no providers to read scans.
“It’s more accurate than a stress test and will determine if the coronaries or aorta are involved,” notes Burmeister, herself certified in Level II Cardiovascular CT Imaging. “That way, you can more quickly identify the most effective therapy.”
Burmeister was always fascinated by cardiology, given that she has a closely monitored condition that required a cardiac ablation as a teenager.
“I typically don’t share my diagnosis with our patients since I don’t want to be talking about me when I’m there for them,” she explains. “But I would say that it has given me perspective on what it’s like to be a patient.”
After moving frequently in childhood, Burmeister graduated from Grassfield High School in Chesapeake and majored in Anthropology at The University of North Carolina. She later obtained a Master of Science as a Clinical Nurse Leader from the University of Maryland School of Nursing and worked as a lead RN in emergency departments in Texas, Georgia and South Carolina until her husband’s Navy career brought her to Norfolk.
Burmeister then finished a second Master of Science as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Georgia Southwestern State University and trained in specialized consultative cardiology with Mohit Bhasin, MD, FACC, FSCCT at Innovation Cardiology, on the campus of Sentara Norfolk General.
Committed to fostering trust with her patients, Burmeister often shows them their advanced imaging scans. “Patients often express their appreciation for this detailed approach, so I’m very hands-on with education,” she relates. “I want them to know their exact anatomy, what’s unique about them and why we’re recommending certain treatments.”
The mother of two young children, Burmeister enjoys family time, dabbling in pottery and staying active in church life. In the future, she is eager to keep growing IHS so more patients have access to cutting-edge cardiac imaging technology and improved outcomes.
“I believe so strongly in this effort,” she says. “There should never be a question that you’re getting the best care.
We are grateful for local Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants who serve our healthcare community!
Please let us know if there is an NP or PA you would like to see honored in a future edition. holly@hrphysician.com
