Staff Directory

Senior Director, Clinical Registry Services and System Solutions

Christina Koutras, BSN, RN, CPHQ, AACC

Christina Koutras, BSN, RN, CPHQ, AACC

Christina joined the ACC in 2010 and is currently the Senior Director for Clinical Registry Services and System Solutions. During her tenure at the ACC, she has served in a variety of Product Manager and leadership roles supporting registry growth, development, and innovation. Christina brings to the NCDR her past nursing experience in the areas of surgical intensive care, cardiovascular open-heart recovery, cardiac catheterization, and the electrophysiology lab to help drive innovation supporting clinical teams in delivering optimal patient care.

NCDR Product Directors

NCDR Directors are the principal staff liaison to each registry Steering Committee and work with multiple internal and external stakeholders to promote the adoption of ACC quality programs that support cardiovascular care teams in their delivery of quality patient care. Their expertise is instrumental in advocating for, and leading initiatives focused on:

Engagement in monitoring the care and outcomes of cardiovascular patients
Incorporating the latest clinical science into registry reporting
Development of robust facility and provider level dashboards to benchmark performance against the US Registry

NCDR Product Director Team Members

	Cornelia Anderson, MSN, RN, CPHQ, FACC Director, NCDR Registry Products \| CathPCI Registry Connie came to the ACC in 2012 and has been the principal liaison to the CathPCI Registry Steering Committee since 2014, also spending time leading the IMPACT & Chest Pain – MI Registries before becoming the Director of NCDR Registry Products in 2023. In the years prior to the ACC her career in acute care spanned emergency medicine, cardiovascular units, and the Cath Lab where she enjoyed being a member of a comprehensive and cohesive care team managing dynamic patient and clinical situations. She is passionate about facilitating the delivery of quality patient care, enjoys collaborating with participants of the NCDR and is delighted when initiatives improve the experience of patients and clinicians alike.
	Jennifer (Jenn) Araoz, BS Program Manager \| ACPC Quality Network and ACC Public Reporting Jenn has been serving as the Program Manager of the Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology (ACPC) Quality Network and ACC's Public Reporting for the CathPCI Registry, Chest Pain – MI Registry, and EP Device Implant Registry since 2021. Prior to joining the ACC, Jenn's career was focused on academia in emergency medicine where she developed a passion for facilitating conversations between forward facing clinicians and those working on academic advancements that supported quality initiatives to better patient care and improve their outcomes.
	Sarah Lash, MS Director \| EP Device Implant Registry, AFib Ablation Registry, and CV ASC Registry Suite Sarah is the Product Director for the NCDR EP Suite of Registries. She also oversees the CV ASC Registry Suite- the first of its kind registry designed to meet the needs of ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) or office-based labs (OBL). Her career is deeply rooted in quality improvement and promoting population health. Her multidisciplinary perspective comes from experience in Medicaid managed care, the National Quality Forum, health policy and consulting.
	Joan Michaels, MSN, RN, FACC Director \| STS/ACC TVT Registry and IMPACT Registry Joan joined us in 2008 to develop and launch the IMPACT Registry, which focuses on improving pediatric and adult congenital treatments, later assuming the role of Product Director of the STS/ACC TVT Registry where she has worked extensively with both internal and external stakeholders to meet the National Coverage Decision requirements. She has an expansive and rich history in cardiovascular care and management of the Cath Lab Program at Inova Heart Center in Falls Church, VA also previously as the Director of the NIH Cath Lab at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD.
	Julie H. Mobayed, MPH, BSN, RN, CPHQ, FACC Director \| LAAO Registry and Chest Pain MI Registry Julie became part of the team in 2014 and was instrumental in leading national quality campaigns such as the ACC's Patient Navigator Program and the Reduce the Risk- PCI Bleed initiative, and has been the Product Director for select registries since 2021. Prior to the ACC, Julie's nursing career focused on cardiovascular medicine from the start, in critical care and step-down units, then moving on to managing clinical trials. There she coordinated research studies, designed project strategies, wrote protocols and eventually built a centralized clinical trial center.

Clinical Quality Advisors

The NCDR Clinical Quality Advisors (CQA) are subject matter experts in NCDR registries, providing registry-based clinical interpretation, data validation, and education to support quality improvement. They apply deep knowledge of coding practices, metric evaluation, and registry standards to guide participants. They support hospitals and other facilities in:

Providing expert guidance on data abstraction, coding accuracy, and metric interpretation.
Supporting participant understanding of dashboards, executive summaries, and quality reports.
Developing and delivering targeted educational resources to improve registry knowledge and data quality.

NCDR Clinical Quality Advisors Team Members

	David Bonner, RT (R), CV, ARRT Director, Customer and NCDR Clinical Support David Bonner serves as the Director of Customer and NCDR Clinical Support at the American College of Cardiology (ACC), where he leads high-performing teams dedicated to delivering exceptional clinical and product support for the NCDR and ACC Accreditation Services. With more than 30 years of experience in radiology, cardiology and data registry operations, David has been instrumental in shaping and advancing the NCDR product line since joining the ACC in 2007. He brings a strong blend of clinical insight and operational leadership to drive continuous improvement, participant education, and cross-functional collaboration across the organization.
	Shelly Conine, ASN, RN Associate Director, NCDR Clinical Support \| Chest Pain MI Registry Shelly Conine joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2016 as a Clinical Quality Advisor and now serves as Team Lead for NCDR Clinical Operations. In her current role, she provides strategic leadership while also delivering clinical support and education for the Chest Pain – MI Registry. A registered nurse with 24 years of cardiovascular experience, Shelly brings clinical insight and operational expertise to her work. Prior to joining the ACC, she served for eleven years as a Nurse Manager within the Adventist Healthcare system, where she led clinical teams and quality initiatives in cardiac care.
	Karen Colbert, BSN, RN Clinical Quality Advisor \| STS/ACC TVT Registry and LAAO Registry Karen Colbert joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in June 2015 as a Clinical Quality Advisor, where she provides expert support to participating sites in the STS/ACC TVT Registry and the LAAO Registry. Karen began her nursing career as a military nurse stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and later spent many years as a critical care nurse specializing in cardiology in hospitals throughout the Washington, D.C. area. From 2011 to 2015, she worked in nursing education, supporting a Registered Nurse Residency Program that helped new graduate nurses transition from the academic setting to clinical practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Akron in 1983.
	Fernando Garcia-Barbon, BSN, RN Clinical Quality Advisor \| LAAO Registry and AFib Ablation Registry Fernando Garcia-Barbon earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Washington Adventist University in 2002. He began his nursing career at Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center (formerly Washington Adventist Hospital), where he served as a staff nurse in the Cardiac Telemetry Unit before transitioning to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab in 2006. Over the next nine years, Fernando developed expertise in interventional cardiology through hands-on clinical practice. In 2015, he joined the American College of Cardiology's (ACC) National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) as a Clinical Quality Advisor. In this role, he provides clinical guidance and registry support for the Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) and Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Ablation registries. With a strong foundation in cardiovascular nursing and a passion for advancing heart care, Fernando supports hospitals and healthcare providers in improving data quality and driving meaningful outcomes through NCDR participation.
	Yan Huang, RT(R), CV, ARRT Clinical Quality Advisor \| Chest Pain MI Registry and EP Device Implant Registry Yan Huang, a registered Radiologic Technologist since 1994, joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2021, bringing more than 15 years of experience in Cardiac Catheterization Lab operations and clinical leadership. Throughout her hospital career, Yan was instrumental in driving quality improvement initiatives, leading her facility to earn the prestigious Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award multiple times. In addition to her clinical expertise, she has served on state regulatory committees and has successfully guided hospitals through the process of earning key state designations. Yan's understanding of cardiovascular care and regulatory standards continues to support participants in delivering high-quality, data-driven outcomes.
	John Jirout, BBA, RN Integration & Clinical Quality Advisor Associate \| CathPCI Registry, AFib Ablation Registry and EP Device Implant Registry John Jirout began his clinical career in a cardiothoracic surgical step-down unit, where he advanced to the role of Nurse Manager. He later transitioned to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, gaining six years of hands-on experience that strengthened both his clinical and technical expertise in cardiovascular care. Since joining the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2017, John has contributed significantly to quality improvement initiatives and the development of NCDR registry products. In his expanded role as an Integration Clinical Quality Advisor (iCQA), John serves as a key liaison between Science, IT, and PM teams, helping to ensure product accuracy, data integrity, and participant usability. His combined frontline experience and systems-level insight make him a vital asset in advancing the quality and effectiveness of ACC's clinical registries.
	Elizabeth Labat, BSN, RN, ACLS Clinical Quality Advisor \| CathPCI Registry Elizabeth Labat joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in January 2024, bringing more than 35 years of cardiac nursing experience to her role as Clinical Quality Advisor. A graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Elizabeth's clinical background spans the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, PCI procedures, cardiovascular surgery, and heart-lung transplantation. She also served as a civilian RN supporting the armed forces in Panama, where she provided critical care in a complex international environment. Her clinical expertise and global perspective enhance her ability to support participants and drive quality improvement across ACC registries.
	Melissa Nitta, MPH, BS, RN Clinical Quality Advisor \| IMPACT Registry and CathPCI Registry Melissa Nitta joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2014 as a Clinical Quality Advisor, bringing a strong foundation in trauma and quality improvement from her prior role as a Trauma Program Manager. She has extensive experience in data abstraction, quality peer reviews, and performance improvement initiatives. Melissa holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Care Administration, allowing her to blend clinical expertise with a public health perspective to drive meaningful advancements in cardiovascular care and patient outcomes.
	Kristen Young, MSN, RN Integration & Clinical Quality Advisor \| STS/ACC TVT Registry, CathPCI Registry and CV ASC Registry Suite Kristen Young joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2017 as a Clinical Quality Advisor, bringing over 14 years of acute care experience in Trauma Emergency Departments, Cardiac Catheterization Labs, and Electrophysiology. She began her career as a cardiology nurse in an intermediate care cardiac step-down unit and later advanced into quality-focused roles, including serving as a Quality and Improvement Specialist and an NCDR Registry Outcomes Specialist for the Chest Pain – MI and EP Device Implant Registries. In her expanded role as an Integration Clinical Quality Advisor (iCQA), Kristen plays a critical part in bridging clinical insight with product development, collaborating across Science, IT, and PM teams to support registry enhancements, improve participant experience, and ensure data accuracy. Her ongoing passion for improving cardiovascular outcomes continues to drive her work and leadership within the NCDR.

Customer Support Team

The NCDR and Accreditation Customer Support team serves as the front-line resource for all NCDR and Accreditation program inquiries, offering timely, accurate, and professional assistance. They are highly skilled in system navigation, enrollment processes, account access, and general troubleshooting across multiple platforms. They support hospitals and other facilities in:

Responding to participant inquiries related to logins, password resets, and site access issues.
Guiding users through enrollment and program participation requirements.
Troubleshooting technical issues and connect participants to the appropriate teams for advanced support.

Customer Support Team Members

	Miriam Nunez Associate Director, NCDR and Accreditation Customer Support With over 20 years of experience in customer support, Miriam Nunez has built a strong reputation for service excellence and leadership. Since joining the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2009 as a Customer Support Associate, she has steadily advanced to her current role as Team Lead of the NCDR Clinical Registries and Accreditation Customer Support Team, a position she assumed in August 2024. Miriam is known for her ability to manage complex participant interactions, implement effective process improvements, and foster a collaborative team environment. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, relaxing at the beach, and spending quality time with her family.
	Kierra Jones Clinical Registries and Accreditation Customer Support Kierra Jones joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in October 2024, where she provides frontline support to participants of both NCDR and ACC Accreditation Services. In addition to her customer-facing role, she actively contributes to process improvement initiatives that enhance productivity and optimize the user experience. Prior to joining the ACC, Kierra supported cybersecurity professionals and disaster relief operations at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), equipping her with the problem-solving skills and high-level responsiveness essential to participant support.
	Lisa Moll Clinical Registries and Accreditation Customer Support Lisa Moll joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in May 2011 and has provided dedicated support to NCDR participants through her roles in both Customer Support and Account Management. Her extensive experience assisting customers with a wide range of inquiries has equipped her with knowledge and adaptability to meet diverse participant needs. Prior to her time at ACC, Lisa served as a Membership and Conference Registration Coordinator at the Wildlife Society in Bethesda, MD. Her longstanding commitment to customer service and attention to detail continue to make her a valuable resource for the NCDR community.
	Andrew Reighard, MBA Clinical Registries and Accreditation Customer Support Andrew Reighard joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2016 and became a member of the Clinical Support Team (CST) in 2019. Known for his strong commitment to service excellence, Andrew consistently delivers efficient, empathetic support to NCDR and Accreditation participants. His solid technical skills, combined with a client-centered approach, allow him to resolve complex issues with professionalism and care.

	Cornelia Anderson, MSN, RN, CPHQ, FACC Director, NCDR Registry Products \| CathPCI Registry Connie came to the ACC in 2012 and has been the principal liaison to the CathPCI Registry Steering Committee since 2014, also spending time leading the IMPACT & Chest Pain – MI Registries before becoming the Director of NCDR Registry Products in 2023. In the years prior to the ACC her career in acute care spanned emergency medicine, cardiovascular units, and the Cath Lab where she enjoyed being a member of a comprehensive and cohesive care team managing dynamic patient and clinical situations. She is passionate about facilitating the delivery of quality patient care, enjoys collaborating with participants of the NCDR and is delighted when initiatives improve the experience of patients and clinicians alike.
	Jennifer (Jenn) Araoz, BS Program Manager \| ACPC Quality Network and ACC Public Reporting Jenn has been serving as the Program Manager of the Adult Congenital and Pediatric Cardiology (ACPC) Quality Network and ACC's Public Reporting for the CathPCI Registry, Chest Pain – MI Registry, and EP Device Implant Registry since 2021. Prior to joining the ACC, Jenn's career was focused on academia in emergency medicine where she developed a passion for facilitating conversations between forward facing clinicians and those working on academic advancements that supported quality initiatives to better patient care and improve their outcomes.
	Sarah Lash, MS Director \| EP Device Implant Registry, AFib Ablation Registry, and CV ASC Registry Suite Sarah is the Product Director for the NCDR EP Suite of Registries. She also oversees the CV ASC Registry Suite- the first of its kind registry designed to meet the needs of ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) or office-based labs (OBL). Her career is deeply rooted in quality improvement and promoting population health. Her multidisciplinary perspective comes from experience in Medicaid managed care, the National Quality Forum, health policy and consulting.
	Joan Michaels, MSN, RN, FACC Director \| STS/ACC TVT Registry and IMPACT Registry Joan joined us in 2008 to develop and launch the IMPACT Registry, which focuses on improving pediatric and adult congenital treatments, later assuming the role of Product Director of the STS/ACC TVT Registry where she has worked extensively with both internal and external stakeholders to meet the National Coverage Decision requirements. She has an expansive and rich history in cardiovascular care and management of the Cath Lab Program at Inova Heart Center in Falls Church, VA also previously as the Director of the NIH Cath Lab at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD.
	Julie H. Mobayed, MPH, BSN, RN, CPHQ, FACC Director \| LAAO Registry and Chest Pain MI Registry Julie became part of the team in 2014 and was instrumental in leading national quality campaigns such as the ACC's Patient Navigator Program and the Reduce the Risk- PCI Bleed initiative, and has been the Product Director for select registries since 2021. Prior to the ACC, Julie's nursing career focused on cardiovascular medicine from the start, in critical care and step-down units, then moving on to managing clinical trials. There she coordinated research studies, designed project strategies, wrote protocols and eventually built a centralized clinical trial center.

	David Bonner, RT (R), CV, ARRT Director, Customer and NCDR Clinical Support David Bonner serves as the Director of Customer and NCDR Clinical Support at the American College of Cardiology (ACC), where he leads high-performing teams dedicated to delivering exceptional clinical and product support for the NCDR and ACC Accreditation Services. With more than 30 years of experience in radiology, cardiology and data registry operations, David has been instrumental in shaping and advancing the NCDR product line since joining the ACC in 2007. He brings a strong blend of clinical insight and operational leadership to drive continuous improvement, participant education, and cross-functional collaboration across the organization.
	Shelly Conine, ASN, RN Associate Director, NCDR Clinical Support \| Chest Pain MI Registry Shelly Conine joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2016 as a Clinical Quality Advisor and now serves as Team Lead for NCDR Clinical Operations. In her current role, she provides strategic leadership while also delivering clinical support and education for the Chest Pain – MI Registry. A registered nurse with 24 years of cardiovascular experience, Shelly brings clinical insight and operational expertise to her work. Prior to joining the ACC, she served for eleven years as a Nurse Manager within the Adventist Healthcare system, where she led clinical teams and quality initiatives in cardiac care.
	Karen Colbert, BSN, RN Clinical Quality Advisor \| STS/ACC TVT Registry and LAAO Registry Karen Colbert joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in June 2015 as a Clinical Quality Advisor, where she provides expert support to participating sites in the STS/ACC TVT Registry and the LAAO Registry. Karen began her nursing career as a military nurse stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and later spent many years as a critical care nurse specializing in cardiology in hospitals throughout the Washington, D.C. area. From 2011 to 2015, she worked in nursing education, supporting a Registered Nurse Residency Program that helped new graduate nurses transition from the academic setting to clinical practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Akron in 1983.
	Fernando Garcia-Barbon, BSN, RN Clinical Quality Advisor \| LAAO Registry and AFib Ablation Registry Fernando Garcia-Barbon earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Washington Adventist University in 2002. He began his nursing career at Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center (formerly Washington Adventist Hospital), where he served as a staff nurse in the Cardiac Telemetry Unit before transitioning to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab in 2006. Over the next nine years, Fernando developed expertise in interventional cardiology through hands-on clinical practice. In 2015, he joined the American College of Cardiology's (ACC) National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) as a Clinical Quality Advisor. In this role, he provides clinical guidance and registry support for the Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion (LAAO) and Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) Ablation registries. With a strong foundation in cardiovascular nursing and a passion for advancing heart care, Fernando supports hospitals and healthcare providers in improving data quality and driving meaningful outcomes through NCDR participation.
	Yan Huang, RT(R), CV, ARRT Clinical Quality Advisor \| Chest Pain MI Registry and EP Device Implant Registry Yan Huang, a registered Radiologic Technologist since 1994, joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2021, bringing more than 15 years of experience in Cardiac Catheterization Lab operations and clinical leadership. Throughout her hospital career, Yan was instrumental in driving quality improvement initiatives, leading her facility to earn the prestigious Chest Pain – MI Registry Platinum Performance Achievement Award multiple times. In addition to her clinical expertise, she has served on state regulatory committees and has successfully guided hospitals through the process of earning key state designations. Yan's understanding of cardiovascular care and regulatory standards continues to support participants in delivering high-quality, data-driven outcomes.
	John Jirout, BBA, RN Integration & Clinical Quality Advisor Associate \| CathPCI Registry, AFib Ablation Registry and EP Device Implant Registry John Jirout began his clinical career in a cardiothoracic surgical step-down unit, where he advanced to the role of Nurse Manager. He later transitioned to the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, gaining six years of hands-on experience that strengthened both his clinical and technical expertise in cardiovascular care. Since joining the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2017, John has contributed significantly to quality improvement initiatives and the development of NCDR registry products. In his expanded role as an Integration Clinical Quality Advisor (iCQA), John serves as a key liaison between Science, IT, and PM teams, helping to ensure product accuracy, data integrity, and participant usability. His combined frontline experience and systems-level insight make him a vital asset in advancing the quality and effectiveness of ACC's clinical registries.
	Elizabeth Labat, BSN, RN, ACLS Clinical Quality Advisor \| CathPCI Registry Elizabeth Labat joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in January 2024, bringing more than 35 years of cardiac nursing experience to her role as Clinical Quality Advisor. A graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Elizabeth's clinical background spans the Cardiac Catheterization Lab, PCI procedures, cardiovascular surgery, and heart-lung transplantation. She also served as a civilian RN supporting the armed forces in Panama, where she provided critical care in a complex international environment. Her clinical expertise and global perspective enhance her ability to support participants and drive quality improvement across ACC registries.
	Melissa Nitta, MPH, BS, RN Clinical Quality Advisor \| IMPACT Registry and CathPCI Registry Melissa Nitta joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2014 as a Clinical Quality Advisor, bringing a strong foundation in trauma and quality improvement from her prior role as a Trauma Program Manager. She has extensive experience in data abstraction, quality peer reviews, and performance improvement initiatives. Melissa holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Care Administration, allowing her to blend clinical expertise with a public health perspective to drive meaningful advancements in cardiovascular care and patient outcomes.
	Kristen Young, MSN, RN Integration & Clinical Quality Advisor \| STS/ACC TVT Registry, CathPCI Registry and CV ASC Registry Suite Kristen Young joined the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2017 as a Clinical Quality Advisor, bringing over 14 years of acute care experience in Trauma Emergency Departments, Cardiac Catheterization Labs, and Electrophysiology. She began her career as a cardiology nurse in an intermediate care cardiac step-down unit and later advanced into quality-focused roles, including serving as a Quality and Improvement Specialist and an NCDR Registry Outcomes Specialist for the Chest Pain – MI and EP Device Implant Registries. In her expanded role as an Integration Clinical Quality Advisor (iCQA), Kristen plays a critical part in bridging clinical insight with product development, collaborating across Science, IT, and PM teams to support registry enhancements, improve participant experience, and ensure data accuracy. Her ongoing passion for improving cardiovascular outcomes continues to drive her work and leadership within the NCDR.