Happy Fall! Welcome to our third newsletter for the IMPACT SDM Study. Look out for our updates twice a year as the study progresses.

We are actively enrolling across our 8 sites (Massachusetts General Hospital; Emory University; University of California San Francisco; University of Colorado Denver; Washington University in St Louis; University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; University of Pennsylvania).

Our dedicated patients and patient partners are at the heart of everything we do. Their experiences, insights, and voices drive meaningful change, helping to shape the future of healthcare. In this edition of our newsletter, we’re honored to highlight Jim Wong.

We are deeply grateful for our patient partners and their willingness to share their journeys. Thank you for being a vital part of our study! 

Mass General Hospital hosted the New England Journal of Medicine Case Conference in May 2025, featuring the story of a patient with aortic stenosis. The session followed the patient’s journey—from the first signs of illness, through testing, to receiving care and treatment. Along the way, it showed the key moments when decisions had to be made, how the care team worked together, and the evidence that guided the patient’s treatment.

The conference also emphasized the patient’s perspective. It highlighted how important it is for patients to clearly understand their options and to have open conversations with their doctors. Shared decision making—where patients’ preferences and personal circumstances are taken into account—was highlighted as essential for achieving the best care.

As the patient reflected:

“Looking back, I have no regrets and feel that my decision was fully aligned with my personal philosophy and life experience.”

An accompanying NEJM paper has been published and can be found here:

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMcpc2412535

We believe that by working together, we can create a brighter future for patients with aortic stenosis. If you would like to learn more about the IMPACT Study or how to get involved, please visit our website: mghdecisionsciences.org or email decisions@mgb.org.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership!



From the study leads

Karen Sepucha, PhD

Massachusetts General Hospital 

Sammy Elmariah, MD

University of California San Francisco

on behalf of the IMPACT team across our 8 sites!

University of Colorado Denver

University of Pennsylvania

University of North Carolina at

Chapel Hill

University of California San Francisco

Massachusetts General Hospital 

Emory University

University of Pennsylvania

Washington University in St Louis

University of Texas Southwestern

Medical Center