Abigail Vowels, NSM

Abigail Vowels, RN, MBA Candidate, is a cardiovascular nursing leader based in the Greater Sacramento area, currently serving as Nursing Manager at the Lucchetti Cardiovascular Center at Dignity Health’s Mercy General Hospital. With nearly two decades of nursing experience, she oversees 32 employees across three cardiovascular programs responsible for all cardiovascular surgeries within the hospital. Abigail began her nursing career after earning her Associate’s Degree in Applied Science from Owensboro Community College in 2008, later completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Walden University. She is currently pursuing her MBA at The University of Arizona Global Campus, with an expected graduation in May 2026, further strengthening her expertise in healthcare leadership and administration.

Abigail’s clinical passion centers on advanced heart failure and mechanical circulatory support, particularly LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device) program development. As a Circulatory Device Program Leader, she has played a pivotal role in building and expanding mechanical heart programs in two U.S. locations and two in Pakistan—where she helped develop the country’s first mechanical heart program alongside a collaborating surgeon. Her work spans hands-on clinical leadership, operational strategy, and extensive education, including training multidisciplinary teams on how to design and sustain LVAD programs from the ground up. She has presented her research internationally and was published in the ASAIO Journal in 2022 for her study on LVAD driveline dressing changes, focusing on infection prevention and optimal healing practices.

Beyond her hospital leadership, Abigail serves as President of Help Me Help U (HMHU), a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding medical services in underserved countries through sustainable education and training initiatives. She is also an active committee member with the International Consortium of Circulatory Assist Clinicians (ICCAC) and has contributed to projects including LVAD nutrition and PT/OT management guidelines. Driven by a passion for program development, operational efficiency, and hospital administration, Abigail continues to advance innovative cardiovascular care models while mentoring teams and improving outcomes for complex heart failure patients.

• The University of Arizona Global Campus - Master of Business Administration - MBA, Business Administration and Management, General
• Northern Arizona University - Master of Business Administration - MBA, Health/Health Care Administration/Management
• Walden University - Master of Business Administration - MBA, Project Management
• Walden University - Bachelor of Science - BSN
• Owensboro Community and Technical College - Associate's degree, Registered Nursing/Registered Nurse

• Registered Nurse
• ACLS Certified
• CCRN Certified
• BLS Certified

• ASAIO Recognition for Research Study (2022)

In 2022, Abigail Vowels was recognized by ASAIO for her research on driveline dressing changes for patients with left ventricular assist devices (LVADs), examining the most effective methods to promote healing and prevent infection. Her work was published in the ASAIO Journal (June 2022, Volume 68, page 39) and contributed valuable insight into best practices for caring for patients supported by LVAD therapy.

Earlier, in 2018, Abigail participated in a research study that she presented in Turkey and later published in the Cardiovascular Diseases and Diagnosis Journal (ISSN 2329-9517, November 2018). The article, titled “PHQ-9 scores do not predict driveline site infection in patients with left ventricular assist device,” explored the relationship between depression screening scores and driveline infections. This research was conducted during her time working in Pakistan, where she contributed to the development of a mechanical heart program.