Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan Marks New Milestone with First Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Procedures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

University of Michigan Health-West Chris Zoladz, Head of PR & Comms. p 616.252.5033 | c 248.787.6666 Christopher.Zoladz@umhwest.org

Trinity Health West Michigan Diane Benson, Manager, PR & Comms. c 616.260.5101 Diane.Benson@trinity-health.org

The Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan marked the successful completion of the first Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedures at University of Michigan Health-West as it expands services to meet the needs of patients in the region. The milestone is a significant advancement in cardiac care, offering a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery.

The FDA-approved TAVR procedure is a treatment option for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at higher risk for surgery. This procedure allows doctors to replace a heart valve through small incisions in the leg, and not only reduces recovery times, but can be used in patients not eligible for conventional open-heart surgery.

"The introduction of TAVR at UM Health-West shows our commitment to providing state-of-the-art treatment options here in Grand Rapids," said Dr. Ronald Grifka, UM Health-West president. "We are proud of our physicians, Dr. Michael Sumners and Dr. Alphonse DeLucia III who worked closely with our partners, including Dr. Noah Thormeier from Trinity Health Muskegon and Dr. Michael Grossman from the Frankel Cardiovascular Center in Ann Arbor to start our program. This now allows more patients to be able to receive the best possible care close to their home.”

Leading the cardiac surgery team, Dr. Alphonse DeLucia III, expressed pride in the achievement. "Recently completing our 200th open-heart surgery and now offering TAVR demonstrates the high level of trust and expertise in our team. These milestones reflect our mission to advance heart health in Grand Rapids and improve access for cardiovascular care for our patients in West Michigan.”

In addition to TAVR, Cardiovascular Network doctors offer a wide range of advanced capabilities including coronary artery bypass graft surgery, aortic valve surgery, mitral valve surgery, treatment of aortic aneurysm and cardiac ablation procedures.
"The collaborative effort that exists between our partners at UM Health-West, Trinity Health and the University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center in Ann Arbor ensures that every patient we treat will receive personalized, world-class care,” said Dr. Himanshu Patel, executive director of the Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan.

The Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan, a cooperative alliance between Trinity Health Muskegon, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, UM Health-West with more than 125 years of cardiovascular leadership from University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor, continues to set benchmarks in cardiac care with a patient-centered approach that leverages decades of collective expertise and advanced medical technologies.

About Trinity Health Michigan

Trinity Health Michigan is a leading health care provider and one of the state’s largest employers. With more than 24,000 full-time employees serving 29 counties, Trinity Health Michigan operates nine hospitals located in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Howell, Livonia, Muskegon, Pontiac and Shelby, and two medical groups. The health system has 2,314 beds and 5,446 physicians and advanced practice providers. With operating revenues of $4.16 billion, Trinity Health Michigan returns $184 million back to their local communities each year. Together with numerous ambulatory care locations, home health and hospice agencies and 23 senior living communities owned and/or operated by Trinity Health, Trinity Health Michigan provides the full continuum of care for Michigan residents. Trinity Health Michigan is a member of Trinity Health, one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the country serving more than 30 million people across 22 states. www.trinityhealthmichigan.org

About University of Michigan Health-West

University of Michigan Health-West is a nonprofit multispecialty medical provider that is relentlessly advancing health to serve West Michigan as part of the state’s top-ranked health system. Founded in Grand Rapids in 1942 by a group of osteopathic doctors, our organization today serves more than 250,000 patients annually at 30 locations across four counties, including a 208-bed teaching hospital in Wyoming, Michigan. More than 61,000 emergency patients are treated each year at the hospital, a Verified Level II Trauma Center, certified Comprehensive Stroke Center and accredited Chest Pain Center. Our physician-led medical group, University of Michigan Health Partners, drives excellence and convenient access to primary and specialty care, including the expertise of University of Michigan Health, consistently ranked among the nation’s top academic medical centers. In addition to earning top grades for safety and quality, University of Michigan Health-West is consistently recognized as a leader in the use of technology and as an inclusive employer of choice. It supports the health and wellness of all in the community, offering free Live Healthy education programs as well as outreach clinics to underserved areas. Learn more at www.uofmhealthwest.org.