Amy Doneen, RN, BSN, MSN, ARNP is an international leader in preventing heart attacks, stroke, and diabetes. She has a strong focus on women’s heart health utilizing her skills to define risk assessment and treatment. Since 2002, she has given more than 600 presentations to global medical groups, including to the International Atherosclerosis Society, International Symposium on Atherosclerosis, National Lipid Association Symposium, Women’s Heart Symposium, American Heart Association, Berkeley Heart Lab, and Cleveland Heart Lab. She has been interviewed by major radio and TV news shows, including ESPN reporting the screening of coaches, scouts, and former players from the Seattle Seahawks football team for cardiovascular disease, and WBRZ in Baton Rouge. She has also been published in regional, national and Internet publications.

Doneen is owner and medical director of the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center in Spokane, Washington and cofounder of the Bale/Doneen Method for heart attack, stroke, and diabetes prevention. She presents AAFP accredited continuing medical education (CME) Preceptorship courses several times a year in cities across the United States, training health care providers in such advanced CVD detection techniques as genetic testing, state-of-the-art ultrasound measurements of major arteries, high-tech heart scans, personalized treatment strategies and “fire panel” tests for insulin resistance—cornerstones of the patented Bale/Doneen Method.

Passionate about educating fellow providers about how to save lives, Doneen has been described in a magazine profile as a “risk detective” because the Bale/Doneen Method’s mission is to find the root cause for why patients’ arteries become inflamed and could ignite future heart attacks and strokes if the fire isn’t extinguished early enough. She was co-chair of a national continuing medical education (CME) course for doctors on residual lipid risk in CVD, presented in 20 cities in both 2008 and 2009 and participated in a national Grand Round CME course on metabolic syndrome.

Doneen is an adjunct professor at Texas Tech University Health Science Center School of Nursing and has delivered numerous keynote addresses on women’s heart health at major medical conferences. She did general undergraduate studies at Western Washington University and Eastern Washington University, and received her Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) and Registered Nurse (RN) from Spokane Community College in 1996. After working as an registered nurse for several years, she returned to school and received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) degrees from Gonzaga University, graduating summa cum laude in 2003.

While working on her graduate thesis, she was shocked to discover, through an extensive review of medical literature, how few studies have been done on CVD in women. She also learned that many women at risk for heart attacks and strokes are missed by the current standard of care, with devastating or even fatal consequences. During her graduate studies, she met Dr. Bradley Bale, who had revamped his family medical practice to pioneer state-of-the-art CVD prevention techniques, such as screening patients for early stage vascular disease using electron beam tomography. Doneen created a thesis project using patients in the practice, comparing the widely used Framingham Risk Score, which predicts CVD risk through such factors as age, gender, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and smoking status, against checking patients’ arteries for calcium deposits--a better method of evaluating future risk for heart attacks and stroke. Out of this collaboration was born the Bale/Doneen Method for prevention of heart attack, stroke, and diabetes.

Doneen is an international board member and consultant to deCODE Genetics and has served on an international advisory board on the utility of carotid intra-medial thickness, an ultrasound test that screens for heart disease by measuring the amount of plaque in neck arteries. She is chair of Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association, and has served on the steering committee for “Healthy U” at Deaconess Medical Center. She is on the speakers’ bureau of Abbott Pharmaceuticals, Cleveland HeartLab, and Berkeley HeartLab.

She’s a member of the Society of Atherosclerosis, Imaging, Prevention; American Heart Association; American Stroke Association; Coalition for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease; and National Lipid Association, and others. Doneen has presented her ambulatory research at the International Society of Prediabetes/Metabolic Syndrom in Madrid Spain 2011 and the International Symposium for Atherosclerosis in Rome, Italy in 2006 and in Boston, in 2009. She also presented data at the European Atherosclerotic Society in Helsinki, Finland in 2007 and at National Lipid Association Annual Symposium in New York City, NY, 2011. In 2009 and 2010, Doneen was a member of a 12 person international committee, for the definition and clinical utility of cIMT with the SAIP Society. In 2007, she was a member of a 4 person National Committee for development and allocation of CME Grand Round presentation on metabolic syndrome. Other participation and presentations at major medical conferences are listed in her online CV.

Amy L. Doneen, RN, BSN, MSN, A.R.N.P
Medical Director of the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center
Adjunct Professor Texas Tech Health Science School of Nursing
Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center
507 S. Washington #170
Spokane, WA. 99204
Office: (509) 747-8000
Fax: (509)747-8051
Cell: (509) 953-3377
adoneen@baledoneen.com 

Honors and recognition:

• Presentation at the International Prediabetes/Metabolic Syndrome International Congress, Madrid, Spain. April 9, 2011.
• Society of Atherosclerosis Imaging Prevention Scientific Sessions: Oral presentations to include: “Integrating atherosclerotic imaging into practice” and “Essential elements of a cIMT report.” Additionally – Appropriate use committee. April 14-16, 2011
• Oral presentation at the International Atherosclerosis Society meeting Boston Mass, 6/2009
• Committee member (12 person international committee) for the definition and clinical utility of cIMT with the SAIP society 2009-2010
• Bale/Doneen Preceptorship course AAFP accreditation for category 1 CME hours.
• International advisory board on the clinical utility of CIMT – roundtable meeting in WA DC September 2008 – 12 member panel of US and Italian medical providers.
• Co-Chair of National 5.5hour National CME program addressing residual risk in CV disease. Development and delivery of program to 20 major US cities in 2008 and 2009.
• Chair of the Pacific Northwest Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association 2007-2010
• Principle Instructor of the Bale/Doneen Preceptorship 40 hour CME program 2006-2010
• Adjunct Professor Texas Tech University Health Science, School of Nursing 2008 - current
• Presentation at the European Atherosclerosis Society 76th annual conference in Helsinki, Finland on June 10, 2007.
• Member of 4 person National committee for the development and allocation of a National CME grand round presentation on metabolic syndrome – Grundy, Sacks, Doneen, Kountz - 2007.
• International board member of DeCODE genetics, investigating the role of genetics in the clinical arena.
• Presentation at the 6th Annual Atherosclerosis and Vascular Biology Conference 2005
• Oral Podium Presentation at the International Symposium of Atherosclerosis, Rome, Italy 2006
• Graduating Summa Cum Laude, Gonzaga University

 
Published Work: 

• Sensitivity Renders HgA1c Questionable for Diagnosing Insulin Resistance/Prediabetes, Prediabetes and Metabolic Syndrome International Congress, Madrid, Spain. April 2011.
• Insulin Resistance/Prediabetes Predicts Presence of Carotid Atherosclerosis, Prediabetes and Metabolic Syndrome International Congress, Madrid, Spain. April 2011.
• cIMT: Refining CVD risk prediction and evaluation effects of lipid therapies. Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association National Conference/Atherosclerosis. March 2011.
• Appropriate use criteria for carotid intima media thickness testing for The Society of Atherosclerosis Imaging and Prevention. Developed in collaboration with the International Atherosclerosis Society. Accepted 20 October 2010.
• Markers of Inflammation. Advance. 2010. Vol. 5 • Issue 1 • p. 33.
• Feature story on NEWS-Line's web site.
• The identification of occult cardiovascular disease through the use of a novel biomarker: a case report. Journal of Clinical Lipidology, October 2009.
• Risk Detective, Genetics into practice. Inlander Sept/Oct 2009.
• Patients with Atherosclerosis missed by Framingham 10-year risk scoring. Atherosclerosis ISA, Boston MA, June 2009.
• Carotid Intima-media thickness augments Framingham scoring in assessing CV risk in metabolic syndrome patients – accepted for presentation at the EAS Helsinki Finland June 10, 2007.
• Effect of aggressive CV risk factor management on lipoproteins and carotid intima-media thickness in patients with metabolic patients – accepted for presentation at the EAS Helsinki Finland, June 10, 2007.
• The Effectiveness of Multiple Interventions on Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in a Clinical Setting. Published and accepted for presentation at the 6th Annual Conference on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. Washington, DC. April 28-30, 2005.
• Aggressive risk factor modification in patients with sub-clinical atherosclerosis reduces plaque burden and regresses carotid artery wall thickness. Bale BF, Doneen AL, Drueding R, Charland SL. Atherosclerosis 2006;7(3):161
• Carotid intima-media thickness testing identifies at risk patients missed by Framingham 10-year risk scoring. Doneen AL, Bale BF, Charland SL, Smith TF. Atherosclerosis 2006;7(3):324
• Vascular Disease in Women: Rumor vs. Reality. Northwest Woman, Feb/Mar 2006.
• Stroke, Are you at Risk? Northwest Woman, June/July 2006.
• The Relationship between Electron Beam Computed Tomography Calcium Scores and established Clinical and Serologic Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease. Published 4/03, University Press. – Thesis, Gonzaga University

Professional Activities:
2008-current: Adjunct Professor at Texas Tech Health Sciences School of Nursing, Lubbock, TX
2006-current: Owner and Medical Director of the Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Center, Spokane, Washington
1999-current: Co-founder, The Heart Attack Prevention Clinic, partnership with Dr. Bradley Bale, Spokane, Washington

Professional Education:
1. Jan. '99 - May '03        Gonzaga University:                      BSN/MSN/ARNP
2. Sept. '92 - June '94     Spokane Community College:       ADN - RN
3. Sept. '90 - June '91     Eastern Washington University     General Studies
4. Sept. '88 - June '90     Western Washington University    General Studies

Area of Professional Focus: My clinical expertise focuses around advanced cardiovascular risk assessment and comprehensive, global preventive treatment for atherosclerosis, encompassing myocardial infarction prevention and ischemic stroke prevention and diabetes prevention in the primary and secondary population. My risk assessment includes, but is not limited to: Lipid testing, inflammatory marker identification, subparticle measurements, nutrigenomics, genetic risk identification, IMT (Intima Media Thickness Testing), ABI, AAA screening, and Coronary CT for structural assessment, along with identification and treatment of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. I take a focused interest in coronary heart disease and women. I am committed to educating the public about heart attack prevention and share my knowledge with other providers to make an international impact on changing the paradigm of treatment to a model of evidenced-based/outcome-based prevention.

Bale/Doneen Method for the Prevention of Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention – 6 features.
1. Patient education – creating partnerships in care between the clinician and the patient
2. Identifying atherosclerosis and monitoring the atherosclerotic process
3. Assessing for inflammation in the endothelium and intima of the arteries
4. Uncovering the root causes – Identifying and treating the core reason for disease development
5. Setting optimal goals of therapy as opposed to the standard of care
6. Individualizing care – using genetics to treat each patient as a unique individual

Professional Activities: 

• Member of the American Heart Association.
• Member of the American Stroke Association.
• Member of the Coalition for the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral arterial disease.
• Member of the Society for Atherosclerosis, Imaging, and Prevention.
• Member of the Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology.
• Member of the National Lipid Association.
• Member of the American Academy of Private Physicians.
• Chair of the Pacific Northwest chapter of the Preventative Cardiovascular Nurses Association.
• Co-founder of the Heart Attack Prevention Clinic and The Bale/Doneen Method of CHD Prevention in partnership with Dr. Bradley Bale, MD.
• Active member of Sigma Theta Tau International; a nursing honor society focused on nursing research and nursing education.
• Nurse Practitioner Group of Spokane; a monthly continuing educational seminar forum.
• Member of steering committee for “Healthy U” at Deaconess Medical Center.

 
Professional Speaking opportunities:

• Society for Atherosclerosis Imaging Prevention, Bethesda, MD April 2011.
• American Academy of Private Physicians annual symposium keynote address 2011.
• National Association of Osteopathic Physician meeting San Antonio, TX March 2011.
• American Academy of Oral Systemic Health Inaugural Meeting May 2011.
• International presentations at the Prediabetes/metabolic syndrome meeting in Madrid Spain 4/2011.
• International presentations at the European Atherosclerotic Society meeting in Helsinki Finland 2008.
• International Atherosclerotic Meeting Boston MA 2009.
• International Atherosclerotic Meeting Rome, Italy 2006.
• Key Note Speaker for Women’s Heart symposium – 800 women attendance, Beverly Hills, CA, Cheyenne Wyoming, Lubbock Texas – 2009-2010.
• Podium presentation at the International Society of Atherosclerosis, Boston, USA 6/2009.
• Bale/Doneen Preceptorship program 2007-2008 40 hour CME program.
• Bale/Doneen Preceptorship program 2009 -2010 – 2 day preceptorship.
• National Speaking circuit for 5 hour course of heart attack & stroke prevention 2009-2010.
• Co-presenter for 20 major cities in the U.S.A. for delivery of a 5.5 hour CME program.
• National Consultant for: DeCode Genetics.
• Public speaking/key-note speaker focusing on women’s heart health and heart attack prevention – several national conferences, keynote and invited speaker 2006, 2007, 2008.
• Key note speaker National DO meeting Las Vegas 2008.
• Key note speaker West Texas Cardiac Symposium 2007.
• Key note speaker West Texas Women’s Health Symposium 2007.
• Appearances on KXLY Good Morning Northwest News Program focusing on women and heart disease.
• Writing appearances in common publications: NW women, Cooking Light, Living, Inlander.
• Appearances on Sunday morning/Saturday live morning news stations re: CVD prevention – Washington, Texas, and Louisiana.
• Guest appearances on KXLY 99.9 radio discussing women and heart disease.
• Speaker at Cheyenne Wyoming’s American Heart Disease luncheon for Women.
• Key note speaker at the California state NP meeting in San Diego, CA.
• Key note speaker at the Washington State association of CV nurses.
• Numerous speaking engagements focused on heart disease, metabolic syndrome, and polypharmacy directed at physicians, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physician assistants, and medical staff.
• Keynote speaker for the annual conference for laboratory technicians, focused on the event reality of arteriosclerosis and the various advanced laboratory identification techniques of disease and structural evidence of disease.
• Keynote speaker at the First Annual Cardiovascular Symposium at St. James Heart & Vascular Institute, Tinley Park, IL.
• Grand rounds at St. James hospital cardiology, Tinley Park, IL.
• Grand rounds at Sacred Heart Hospital, Spokane, WA.
• Several national lectures on insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome and treating residual risk, and women’s CVD prevention 2004-1008.
• Poster presentation of our 2004 data at the annual Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Conference with the AHA in Washington DC in April 2004.
• Grand Rounds Sacred Heart Hospital December 2005 – insulin resistance & Metabolic Syndrome.
• Tour of Texas (2/8/06-2/12/06) co-presentation with Dr. Annie Varughese from Texas Heart Institute – focusing on Women’s Heart Health and Prevention.
• Speaker at the Women’s Health Show – Spokane, WA 3/18 and 3/19 at Convention Center.
• Key note speaker at the Wyoming state NP/PA association.
• Speaker at the Sacred Heart Women’s show 2006 – “Know your risk”.
• Invited speaker at the Washington State Academy of Physician Assistants; “Metabolic Syndrome”, Oct 6, 2006 in Spokane WA.
• Speaker – podium presentation at the International Society of Atherosclerosis Rome, Italy. June 2006.