Mary Kuwana ACNP joined PPC in August 2007. She was born in Fort Benning, Georgia and was raised in the Pacific Basin. She attended the University of Guam where she received her RN degree in 1985.

Mary’s nursing career led her into a focused interest in cardiovascular (CV) science. After raising four, wonderful children, she returned to academia and attended the University of Florida (UF) where she graduated with a Master’s in Nursing Sciences. Her most memorable experiences at UF, other than witnessing the Gators dominating win of 2 National Basketball Championships AND a National Football Championship, included working in CV research in the following clinical trials:

• Alternans Before Cardiac Defibrillator (ABCD)-Primary Investigators: Dr. Anne Curtis/Dr. Thomas Burkett
• Focus on Effective Clinical Treatment Strategies (AFFECTS Registry)-Primary Investigator: Dr. Jamie Conti
• Gene Variation as a Predictor of Recovery from Cardiomyopathy: IMAC II-Primary Investigator: Dr. Daniel Pauley
• Hemodynamic effects of EECP in Patients with LV Dysfunction EECP/HF-Primary Investigator: Dr. Richard Conti
• InSync  Registry-Primary Investigator:  Dr. Jamie. Conti
• Investigation of Cryoablation Effectiveness in PAF (ICE-PAF)-Primary Investigator: Dr. Mario Gonzalez
• Optimal Myocardial Electrical Synchronization (OMER) Primary Investigator: Dr. Jamie Conti/ Dr. Omer Shed
• Registry of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (RESTORE-U.S.) Primary Investigator: Dr. Jamie. Conti

Professional affiliations included: American College of Cardiology, American Nurses Association, American College of Nurse Practitioners, and the Colorado Nursing Association.

Mary’s hobbies include: yoga, ballet, poetry, songwriting and reading. Some of her favorite activities are tai-chi, hiking, snow-shoeing and skiing.

She believes her greatest contribution to this world is her precious children.

Mary’s philosophy in life is deeply rooted from her parent’s teachings:
Everyday is a day to excel.
To thy own self be true