A Decade of Advancing Cardiovascular Care
For 10 years, the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute has advanced cardiovascular care through innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to patients.
This anniversary celebrates the people who made our first decade possible – and the patients whose stories continue to inspire our work.
Their Stories. Our Purpose.
Every patient has a story. Every breakthrough has a purpose.
Through the voices of patients, physicians, nurses, researchers, and healthcare professionals, our anniversary film reflects on a decade of advancing cardiovascular care and the shared purpose that continues to shape our future.
Their Stories. Our Purpose.
Every patient has a story. Every breakthrough has a purpose.
Through the voices of patients, physicians, nurses, researchers, and healthcare professionals, our anniversary film reflects on a decade of advancing cardiovascular care and the shared purpose that continues to shape our future.
Real Patients. Real Success Stories
Patient care is at the center of everything we do at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute. It is a great honor to make a difference in the lives of our patients, like Tom Kurutz who received a second chance at life after heart failure through LVAD surgery, George Jenkins, who benefited from an expert diagnosis and a pioneering procedure, Shawn Huntermark, who returned to the life he loves thanks to robotic surgery, and John Hoffman, a volunteer firefighter who received a lifesaving heart transplant. Their success stories are inspiration to others and the care teams that helped them regain their health.
The People Behind Every Milestone
The WVU Heart & Vascular Institute was built by exceptional people united by one shared purpose
Every day, physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, researchers, trainees, administrators, and support staff work together to deliver exceptional cardiovascular care. Their collaboration drives every breakthrough, every innovation, and every patient success story.
Better Care Starts with Working Together
Exceptional care is never delivered by one person alone.
Every patient benefits from the expertise of multidisciplinary teams working across specialties to provide seamless, coordinated care. From diagnosis and treatment to research, education, and recovery, collaboration has defined the WVU Heart & Vascular Institute since its beginning.
One Purpose
Improving lives through innovation, compassion, collaboration, and excellence. For every patient. Every day.
The People Behind Every Milestone
The WVU Heart & Vascular Institute was built by exceptional people united by one shared purpose
Every day, physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, researchers, trainees, administrators, and support staff work together to deliver exceptional cardiovascular care. Their collaboration drives every breakthrough, every innovation, and every patient success story.
Better Care Starts with Working Together
Exceptional care is never delivered by one person alone.
Every patient benefits from the expertise of multidisciplinary teams working across specialties to provide seamless, coordinated care. From diagnosis and treatment to research, education, and recovery, collaboration has defined the WVU Heart & Vascular Institute since its beginning.
One Purpose
Improving lives through innovation, compassion, collaboration, and excellence. For every patient. Every day.
Innovation in Action
Innovation is not an endpoint. It is how we fulfill our commitment to improving patient care.
From pioneering procedures to groundbreaking research and the education of tomorrow’s leaders, innovation drives everything we do. Every advancement reflects our commitment to transforming today’s discoveries into better outcomes for tomorrow’s patients.
Clinical Innovation
Pioneering advanced treatments and technologies to improve patient outcomes.
Research
Driving discoveries that shape the future of cardiovascular medicine.
Education
Training and mentoring the next generation of heart and vascular specialists.
A Decade of Impact
2.5 Million +
Patients Visits
123
Physicians
186
Advanced Practice Providers
150
Fellows Trained
100
Clinical Trials
32/7
Service Locations/Open Heart Programs
900+
Peer-Reviewed Publications
50
States Served
Innovation in Action
Innovation is not an endpoint. It is how we fulfill our commitment to improving patient care.
From pioneering procedures to groundbreaking research and the education of tomorrow’s leaders, innovation drives everything we do. Every advancement reflects our commitment to transforming today’s discoveries into better outcomes for tomorrow’s patients.
Clinical Innovation
Pioneering advanced treatments and
technologies to improve patient outcomes.
Research
Driving discoveries that shape the future of cardiovascular medicine.
Education
Training and mentoring the next generation of heart and vascular specialists.
A Decade of Impact
2.5 Million +
Patients Visits
123
Physicians
186
Advanced Practice Providers
150
Fellows Trained
100
Clinical Trials
32/7
Service Locations/Open Heart Programs
900+
Peer-Reviewed Publications
50
States Served
Advancing Medicine Beyond Our Walls
The WVU Heart & Vascular Institute’s impact extends far beyond the patients we treat.
As an academic health system, we educate future physicians, conduct groundbreaking research, participate in clinical trials, and share discoveries that influence cardiovascular care around the world. Through education, innovation, and scientific discovery, we help shape the future of cardiovascular medicine while improving care for patients everywhere.
From Our Communities to the World
For 10 years, we’ve expanded access to advanced heart and vascular care across our region while serving as a destination for patients seeking specialized care from across the country and around the world.
Advancing Medicine Beyond Our Walls
The WVU Heart & Vascular Institute’s impact extends far beyond the patients we treat.
As an academic health system, we educate future physicians, conduct groundbreaking research, participate in clinical trials, and share discoveries that influence cardiovascular care around the world. Through education, innovation, and scientific discovery, we help shape the future of cardiovascular medicine while improving care for patients everywhere.
From Our Communities to the World
For 10 years, we’ve expanded access to advanced heart and vascular care across our region while serving as a destination for patients seeking specialized care from across the country and around the world.
A Decade of Progress
The milestones that continue to shape our future.
2016
- First in West Virginia to Implant Mitral Regurgitation Device
2017
- Named ELSO Silver Level Center of Excellence
2018
- First in West Virginia to Implant Life-Saving Heart Pump
- First U.S. Site to Enroll Patients in Innovative Mitral Valve Trial
2019
- Expands Cardiovascular Services in Parkersburg, WV
- West Virginia’s First Heart Transplant
2020
- Earns STS Three-Star Rating for Esophageal Cancer Care
- Helps Develop National ECMO Guidelines for COVID-19 Care
- First Fully Robotic Cardiac Procedures: AVR, Mitral Repair and AF Ablation
2021
- Recognized as a Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center from the American Heart Association
2022
- Named Gold Center of Excellence for Cardio-Oncology
- Earns Get With The Guidelines GOLD PLUS Award
- Named #1 in West Virginia for Cardiology, Heart Surgery & Lung Surgery by U.S. News
- Named VQI 3-Star Center
- Named IC-OS Gold Center of Excellence
- First-in-West Virginia Programs Launched in Transplant, LVAD, Advanced Heart Failure and More
2023
- First Robotic Aortic Valve Replacement (RAVR) Procedure
2025
- First in State and Region to Perform Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement
- First Robotic TAVR Explant and Aortic Valve Replacement
- Named ELSO Platinum Level Center of Excellence
2026
- Vinay Badhwar, MD, Installed as STS President
- Ramesh Daggubati, MD, Receives Beacon of India Award
- Jeremiah Hayanga, MD, Named President of National Cardiothoracic Surgery Organization
- George Sokos, DO, Named ACC West Virginia Governor
- Earns Highest STS Quality Ratings Across WVU Heart Surgery Programs
- Receives SVS VQI Dr. Larry Kraiss Quality Award
A Decade of Progress
The milestones that continue to shape our future.
2016
- First in West Virginia to Implant Mitral Regurgitation Device
2017
- Named ELSO Silver Level Center of Excellence
2018
- First in West Virginia to Implant Life-Saving Heart Pump
- First U.S. Site to Enroll Patients in Innovative Mitral Valve Trial
2019
- Expands Cardiovascular Services in Parkersburg, WV
- West Virginia’s First Heart Transplant
2020
- Earns STS Three-Star Rating for Esophageal Cancer Care
- Helps Develop National ECMO Guidelines for COVID-19 Care
- First Fully Robotic Cardiac Procedures: AVR, Mitral Repair and AF Ablation
2021
- Recognized as a Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center from the American Heart Association
2022
- Named Gold Center of Excellence for Cardio-Oncology
- Earns Get With The Guidelines GOLD PLUS Award
- Named #1 in West Virginia for Cardiology, Heart Surgery & Lung Surgery by U.S. News
- Named VQI 3-Star Center
- Named IC-OS Gold Center of Excellence
- First-in-West Virginia Programs Launched in Transplant, LVAD, Advanced Heart Failure and More
2023
- First Robotic Aortic Valve Replacement (RAVR) Procedure
2025
- First in State and Region to Perform Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Replacement
- First Robotic TAVR Explant and Aortic Valve Replacement
- Named ELSO Platinum Level Center of Excellence
2026
- Vinay Badhwar, MD, Installed as STS President
- Ramesh Daggubati, MD, Receives Beacon of India Award
- Jeremiah Hayanga, MD, Named President of National Cardiothoracic Surgery Organization
- George Sokos, DO, Named ACC West Virginia Governor
- Earns Highest STS Quality Ratings Across WVU Heart Surgery Programs
- Receives SVS VQI Dr. Larry Kraiss Quality Award
Recognized for Excellence
Recognition reflects our commitment to excellence, but our greatest measure of success will always be the lives we improve.
Recognized for Excellence mobile
Recognition reflects our commitment to excellence, but our greatest measure of success will always be the lives we improve.
OUR PURPOSE
The West Virginia University Heart & Vascular Institute was founded on a simple but powerful belief that where a person lives should not determine their opportunity to live a longer, healthier life.
This belief is the core of our foundation. It is our purpose. It inspires us to serve, challenges us to innovate, and calls us to pursue excellence on behalf of every patient and family who places their trust in us.
Turning Challenges into Opportunity
In a state burdened by some of the nation’s greatest cardiovascular health challenges, we see opportunity and not obstacles. We embrace the responsibility to transform adversity into progress, to turn today’s healthcare challenges into tomorrow’s breakthroughs. The work extends beyond West Virginia with the power to improve lives far beyond our borders and influence the future of cardiovascular care around the world.
A Bold Vision
Our vision is bold. We stand among the world’s leading cardiovascular and thoracic institutes, recognized not only for what we have achieved, but also for the scale of our mission. We continually aspire to be a destination for patients seeking hope, a home for exceptional talent, and a catalyst for discoveries that redefine the future of medicine.
The Heart of Our Mission
Behind every diagnosis there is a life, a family, a future. Our purpose extends beyond treating disease. We strive to restore health, generate hope, and help people return to the moments that matter most. The true metrics of our success exist beyond rankings and recognition alone, but in the lives improved, the suffering relieved, and the futures made possible through our work.
Advancing the Future of Medicine
We are committed to advancing the frontiers of cardiovascular medicine through innovation, evidence, and scientific excellence. As an academic health system, we have both the privilege and responsibility to shape the future, transforming new knowledge into better treatments, better outcomes, and new possibilities for patients everywhere.
Developing the Next Generation
We also dedicate our energies to developing the next generation of healthcare leaders. The greatest legacy of our institution will not be what we accomplish alone, but what it inspires others to achieve. Through education, mentorship, and collaboration, we will cultivate leaders whose influence extends across communities, healthcare systems, and nations.
Extending Our Impact
Our impact will continue to be felt far beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics. Through partnership, service, and a steadfast commitment to expanding access to care, we will continue to improve population health, strengthen communities, and contribute to a healthier future for people around the world for generations to come.
OUR PURPOSE
This belief is the core of our foundation. It is our purpose. It inspires us to serve, challenges us to innovate, and calls us to pursue excellence on behalf of every patient and family who places their trust in us.
Turning Challenges into Opportunity
In a state burdened by some of the nation’s greatest cardiovascular health challenges, we see opportunity and not obstacles. We embrace the responsibility to transform adversity into progress, to turn today’s healthcare challenges into tomorrow’s breakthroughs. The work extends beyond West Virginia with the power to improve lives far beyond our borders and influence the future of cardiovascular care around the world.
A Bold Vision
Our vision is bold. We stand among the world’s leading cardiovascular and thoracic institutes, recognized not only for what we have achieved, but also for the scale of our mission. We continually aspire to be a destination for patients seeking hope, a home for exceptional talent, and a catalyst for discoveries that redefine the future of medicine.
The Heart of Our Mission
Behind every diagnosis there is a life, a family, a future. Our purpose extends beyond treating disease. We strive to restore health, generate hope, and help people return to the moments that matter most. The true metrics of our success exist beyond rankings and recognition alone, but in the lives improved, the suffering relieved, and the futures made possible through our work.
Advancing the Future of Medicine
We are committed to advancing the frontiers of cardiovascular medicine through innovation, evidence, and scientific excellence. As an academic health system, we have both the privilege and responsibility to shape the future, transforming new knowledge into better treatments, better outcomes, and new possibilities for patients everywhere.
Developing the Next Generation
We also dedicate our energies to developing the next generation of healthcare leaders. The greatest legacy of our institution will not be what we accomplish alone, but what it inspires others to achieve. Through education, mentorship, and collaboration, we will cultivate leaders whose influence extends across communities, healthcare systems, and nations.
Extending Our Impact
Our impact will continue to be felt far beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics. Through partnership, service, and a steadfast commitment to expanding access to care, we will continue to improve population health, strengthen communities, and contribute to a healthier future for people around the world for generations to come.
The Experts Behind Our Care.
Ensuring the best possible care for the diverse communities we serve
Vinay Badhwar, MD
Ramesh Daggubati, MD
George Sokos, DO
Alison L. Bailey, MD
James Mehaffey, MD
Jason Lamb, MD
Pamela Zimmerman, MD
Bilal Jalil, MD
Christopher Mascio, MD
J.W. Awori Hayanga, MD, MPH
The Experts Behind Our Care.
Ensuring the best possible care for the diverse communities we serve
Vinay Badhwar, MD
Ramesh Daggubati, MD
George Sokos, DO
Alison L. Bailey, MD
James Mehaffey, MD
Jason Lamb, MD
Pamela Zimmerman, MD
Bilal Jalil, MD
Christopher Mascio, MD
J.W. Awori Hayanga, MD, MPH
