Ms. Leitz earned her Bachelor of Science in Education, Sports Medicine in 1991 and her Master of Education in Athletic Training, at the University of Virginia in 1992. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, Physician Assistant Program at James Madison University in 2001. Ms. Leitz worked as a certified Athletic Trainer for seven years, then as a Physician Assistant in orthopedics for three years, prior to starting at Cardiology Associates in 2004. She has training as an EMT – Cardiac Technician and holds a current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Ms. Leitz is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants.

Ms. Howell earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1987 at the University of Virginia. She then received her Masters in Nursing and became a Board Certified Acute Care Nurse Practitioner in 2004. Ms. Howell has more than 30 years of experience working with cardiac patients and was a member of the Heart Failure and Transplant Team at the University of Virginia. She has an interest in clinical research and also served as research coordinator for the cardiology division, having coordinated numerous investigational drug and device trials for patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure. She holds a current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Ms. Howell is a member of the Virginia Council of Nurse Practitioners and the American College of Cardiology.

Ms. Pingrey earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1989 from Alfred University in New York State. In 1997 she graduated with a Masters degree in Adult Nursing from the University of Rochester. Ms. Pingrey comes to Cardiology Associates with a diverse background of medical experiences that include: more than 15 years of medical and intensive care practice, infectious disease clinical services and vaccine trials, adjunct faculty positions with registered nurse and nurse practitioner schools of nursing, women’s health outreach program for breast and cervical screening, and three years as the lead practitioner at Mary Washington Hospital’s cardiac stress lab. Her interest lies in the incorporation of individualized models of change that she feels is the practitioner’s best tool to minimize physiological impairments that affect quality of life.  She holds a current certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support.  Ms. Pingrey is a Cardiac Care Associate member of the American College of Cardiology.