Dr. Simko is a cardiovascular clinical nurse specialist with more than 35 years of clinical nursing experience in intensive care units (ICUs), coronary care units, cardiovascular ICUs, and medical-surgical ICUs. From the University of Pittsburgh, she earned a master of public health degree in chronic/cardiovascular epidemiology, as well as a master of science degree in nursing. She earned her PhD in nurs­ing from Duquesne University, where her dissertation focused on the quality of life of adults with congenital heart disease. Dr. Simko has widespread experience in caring for patients with cardiac dysrhythmias.