CINCINNATI (June 25, 2024) – The Christ Hospital Health Network recently completed its 30th successful heart transplant in Cincinnati. This milestone comes less than two years after the first heart transplant was performed in November 2022 and is the most heart transplants ever performed in Cincinnati during that length of time.
“The Christ Hospital Heart Transplant Program has proven to be a life-saving destination for heart failure patients here in the Tri-State,” said Debbie Hayes, President & CEO of The Christ Hospital Health Network. “Our experienced transplant team has provided exceptional outcomes for those in need of a new heart, and as this program grows, we will continue to do everything it takes to bring worldclass care right here in Cincinnati.”
With this new program, patients can stay closer to home and do not need to travel to other cities and states to receive a heart transplant. The transplant team at The Christ Hospital Health Network has more than 50 years of combined experience in heart transplant care and surgery.
“Once again, The Christ Hospital Health Network is setting the standard for cardiovascular care in the region,” said Dean Kereiakes, MD, FACC, MSCAI Chairman of The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute. “When we recruited Dr. Geetha Bhat as Medical Director of The Christ Hospital Heart Transplant Program and Dr. Rob Dowling, the Chris and Trey Heekin Family Endowed Chair for Cardiac Transplantation and Surgical Director of The Christ Hospital Heart Transplant Program, we knew we were building something very special for our heart failure patients.”
In April, the heart transplant program also received certification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) in recognition of the strength of the heart transplant team and excellent clinical outcomes. This certification allows for patients to move forward that are on government insurances plans and is often a requirement for those privately insured.
“When we started this program in the Fall of 2022, we knew we had the right pieces in place to create a program never before seen in Cincinnati,” said Dr. Dowling. “Shelly Deyhle, Director of Transplant Administration, has provided a “dream team” that includes talented multi-disciplinary transplant providers, our amazing and dedicated cardiac OR staff and our skilled cardiovascular ICU specialists.”
The transplant program is an extension of the nationally renowned heart failure and LVAD program led by Greg Egnaczyk, MD, Phd, the Frank and Margo Homan Family Endowed Chair for Heart Failure, that led to the foundation of a successful program.
“The rapid growth and success we have achieved in our new program is due to a dedicated heart transplant team, multidisciplinary team and incredible staff throughout The Christ Hospital,” said Dr. Bhat. “The outstanding reputation of the transplant program has led many patients transplanted at other centers to seek post-transplant care at The Christ Hospital. Our transplant patients can be assured that we will continue to follow them for years to come, allowing them to stay healthy and cared for close to home.”
For more information on the heart transplant program at The Christ Hospital Health Network including heart screenings, locations and second opinion requests, click here.
About The Christ Hospital Health Network
The Christ Hospital Health Network consists of an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn, a remote hospital location in Liberty Township, five ambulatory outpatient centers and dozens of medical offices throughout the region. For more than 130 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves. Made up for more than 1,300 physicians and more than 6,500 team members, our mission is to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional outcomes in an affordable way. The Network was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #1 hospital in the Cincinnati Region and named to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list in 2024. It is also a Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award recipient, which recognizes top-performing healthcare organizations that achieve the 95th percentile or above of performance in patient experience.