University of Rochester Medicine Honored for Heart Care Excellence

University of Rochester Medicine Strong Memorial Hospital has joined an elite group of 100 U.S. hospitals to earn the American College of Cardiology’s HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence. The designation honors hospitals that demonstrate commitment to providing the highest quality cardiovascular care to the community.

Strong is the only hospital in the Finger Lakes and Western New York regions, and one of just three in New York state to receive this honor.

“This is tremendous recognition of the quality of our programs and ever-present commitment to enhancing and improving care,” said Thomas Curran, MD, interim chief of Cardiology. “We consistently review our processes and outcomes and compare that data to centers across the nation to ensure we provide the best possible care to patients at all stages of disease.”

Interim Cardiology Chief Thomas Curran, MD,

The ACC designation followed rigorous review of URochester Medicine’s participation in multiple accreditation service programs, data registries, and quality improvement programs.

Strong holds Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI accreditation and Transcatheter Valve certification and is expected to earn Cardiac Catheterization Lab accreditation in the coming months.

“Collaboration and innovation among our multidisciplinary teams is essential to ensure out patients receive top-level care,” said Peter Knight, MD, chief of Cardiac Surgery. He praised the teamwork among Emergency Medicine, Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Imaging Sciences, Nursing, Hospital Medicine, and Pathology, and others, which is essential to providing high quality care.

URochester Medicine has long been a leader in heart care and research, with the largest team of board-certified specialists in the region offering comprehensive cardiovascular care, from hypertension to heart failure. Strong is the only Upstate New York site for heart transplantation and, its heart failure, women’s heart, and cardio-oncology programs draw patients from across the state.

Cardiac Surgery Chief Peter Knight, MD

The Cardiac Care team was first to introduce ventricular assist devices for advanced heart failure, transcatheter aortic valve and tricuspid valve implantation, and through clinical research, brings tomorrow’s therapies to our patients today.

Researchers created one of the most successful arrhythmia and sudden death research programs in the world, whic

h serves as the hub of clinical cardiology research for URochester Medicine. Aab Cardiovascular Research Institute scientists are dedicated to understanding the basic molecular mechanisms of heart disease

URochester Medicine scientists conducted foundational studies for the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillators, or ICDs, to reduce risk of sudden death in patients who’ve experienced a heart attack. Further investigation showed cardiac resynchronization therapy plus defibrillator – CRT-D therapy – prevents the progression of heart failure in patients living with mild forms of the disease. The device, which improves the mechanical pumping action of the heart and corrects fatal rhythms, was originally approved to treat patients with severe heart failure and has saved countless lives.

Our cardiac surgeons are leaders in minimally invasive techniques, which reduce risk of complications and hasten recovery for patients. The team focuses on valvular heart disease, heart failure and mechanical circulatory support and congenital heart disease.

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