The American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) has named Duke Anesthesiology’s Alina Nicoara, MD, FASE, the 2025 recipient of its prestigious Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Echocardiography Award. This accolade recognizes her achievement of significant clinical, research and/or education in the field of perioperative echocardiography.
“It is truly a privilege to be recognized among such an inspiring group of individuals. This award belongs equally to my remarkable colleagues and mentors, whose unwavering support has been invaluable, and to my trainees over the years, who have been a constant source of inspiration and motivation to keep striving for excellence. I look forward to continuing this journey, making a meaningful impact, and uplifting others along the way,” says Nicoara, professor of anesthesiology.
Nicoara has served as director of the department’s Perioperative Echocardiography Service for the past 12 years. Notably in 2023, under her leadership, Duke University Medical Center became the first center in the nation to be awarded accreditation in perioperative transesophageal echocardiography by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC). This designation recognizes Duke’s pursuit of excellence in patient care in the field of echocardiography.
Duke Anesthesiology continues to be a leader in the field of perioperative echocardiography since its inception. Upon receiving this award, Nicoara joins the esteemed ranks as the fourth member of the Duke Anesthesiology faculty to be honored with ASE's Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Echocardiography Award. Dr. Madhav Swaminathan earned this honor in 2023, along with Dr. Solomon Aronson in 2019 and Dr. Jonathan Mark in 2018. She is also among the select group of four distinguished Duke anesthesiologists who have held the position as chair of ASE's Council on Perioperative Echocardiography.
Nationally, Nicoara served as chair of the writing group for the ASE document, “Guidelines for the Use of Transesophageal Echocardiography to Assist Surgical Decision Making: A Surgery-Based Approach,” published in June 2020, and co-chair of the writing group of the new ASE guideline document, “Recommendations for Multimodality Imaging of Patients with Left Ventricular Assist Devices and Temporary Mechanical Support,” published in September 2024. Furthermore, she currently serves as a board member of the National Board of Echocardiography, is an elected member of the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists’ Board of Directors, and is the vice-president of the IAC Division of Echocardiography.
Nicoara, a Duke Anesthesiology alumna, earned her MD at the Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Romania where she trained in a general surgery residency. Subsequently, she pursued a residency in anesthesiology at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York, and in 2006, she arrived at Duke. Here, Nicoara furthered her training by completing the Adult Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology Fellowship and joined Duke Anesthesiology faculty in 2010; she has since been an integral part of the department.
Nicoara and the recipients of ASE's 2025 awards will be honored at the annual Research Awards Gala hosted by the ASE Foundation in September.