Dawn Denicola, APRN, FNP-C

Meet Dawn Denicola, APRN, FNP-C

Helping Patients Take Control of Heart Failure and Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health

Dawn Denicola, FNP-C, CHFN, AACC, is a cardiology nurse practitioner serving adults throughout Alexandria, Louisiana, with specialized expertise in heart failure and cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) health. A graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and a certified heart failure nurse, Dawn brings more than two decades of experience caring for patients across the continuum of cardiovascular disease. Throughout her career, she has helped develop innovative programs focused on prevention, chronic disease management and remote patient monitoring, empowering patients to improve their health and reduce their risk of future cardiac events. After years of leadership within one of Louisiana's leading cardiovascular programs, she now brings her expertise and patient-centered approach to the Alexandria community, helping individuals navigate complex heart conditions with confidence and support.

Career at a Glance

• More than 20 years of healthcare experience, including advanced cardiology, critical care and heart failure management.
• Clinical Director of a specialized Cardiometabolic Clinic focused on reducing cardiovascular risk through prevention and evidence-based therapies.
• Certified Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C), Certified Heart Failure Nurse (CHFN) and Associate of the American College of Cardiology (AACC).
• Served as Heart Failure Coordinator, helping implement programs supporting American College of Cardiology Heart Failure Certification initiatives.
• Published contributor to cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic research and active participant in cardiology clinical research programs.

Clinical Role and Leadership

Dawn has built her career around improving outcomes for patients living with complex cardiovascular conditions. As a former Clinical Director of a cardiometabolic clinic and Heart Failure Coordinator, she helped lead programs designed to optimize guideline-directed medical therapy, enhance patient engagement and leverage technology to support long-term disease management. Her work emphasizes close collaboration between cardiology and primary care teams, ensuring patients receive coordinated care that addresses both current symptoms and future cardiovascular risk.

She provides specialized care for conditions such as:

• Heart failure
• Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) disease
• Coronary artery disease
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes affecting cardiovascular health
• Chronic cardiovascular disease prevention and management

What You Can Expect from Care with Dawn Denicola

Dawn believes every patient's journey is unique and deserves an individualized approach. She takes time to listen to her patients, understand their goals and work alongside them to create realistic, achievable plans that support both immediate concerns and long-term health. Her philosophy blends prevention-focused care with evidence-based therapies, empowering patients to make informed decisions that improve cardiovascular wellness and quality of life. By understanding the whole person, not just the diagnosis, she helps patients become active participants in their health journey.

You can expect:

• A personalized care plan built around your goals and lifestyle
• Open conversations and time to ask questions
• Evidence-based treatment recommendations grounded in current clinical guidelines
• A strong focus on prevention and long-term cardiovascular wellness
• Collaborative care that helps you make confident, informed health decisions

Advanced Diagnostic Care and Cardiometabolic Innovation

Dawn has been a leader in integrating innovative technologies into cardiovascular care. She helped develop and oversee e-health programs that utilize remote monitoring of EKGs, blood pressure readings and continuous glucose monitoring data to support earlier intervention and more proactive disease management. Her expertise in cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic health allows her to address the interconnected factors that influence heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease, helping patients achieve better outcomes through comprehensive, team-based care.

She is passionate about the rapidly evolving field of cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic medicine, where coordinated management can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, hospitalization and disease progression.

Research, Clinical Insight and Thought Leadership

In addition to caring for patients, Dawn contributes to advancing the field of cardiovascular medicine through research, education and professional leadership. She has served as a sub-investigator on multiple cardiology research projects and co-authored published research examining innovative cardiometabolic care models and guideline-directed therapy adoption.

Dawn is also an active educator who has participated in professional continuing education programs focused on heart failure, diabetes, chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular risk reduction. Her expertise has helped inform discussions on improving care delivery and expanding access to evidence-based therapies for patients with chronic cardiovascular conditions.

Commitment to Public Health and Health Equity

Throughout her career, Dawn has championed patient education, prevention and equitable access to care. She recognizes that successful treatment requires addressing more than medical conditions alone and works diligently to help patients overcome barriers related to medication access, affordability and long-term adherence. Her community outreach efforts and educational presentations have focused on promoting heart health awareness, empowering patients to understand their risk factors and encouraging lifestyle changes that support lifelong wellness.

Outside the Clinic

When she is not caring for patients, Dawn enjoys spending time outdoors with her family. She loves fishing, hunting and camping and has spent years actively involved in Scouting America, creating countless adventures with her son. Each summer, her family heads west to enjoy time in the mountains. At home, she enjoys baking and making homemade jelly, creative hobbies that reflect the same patience, dedication and attention to detail she brings to patient care.