5,000 hearts, 5,000 second chances, 5,000 miracles
By: Ed DeWitt
On Oct. 22, UPMC Western Maryland cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Mark Nelson and his team performed the program’s 5,000th open heart surgery. This milestone is the latest accolade for the open heart surgery program at the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute (HVI) at UPMC Western Maryland.
The program performs a variety of operations including coronary artery bypass and heart valve surgeries, and since its inception in 2000, it has been the only option for open heart surgery in the state west of Baltimore, providing thousands of patients access to world class care without the need to travel outside of their community.
UPMC Western Maryland’s open heart surgery patients stay in a state-of-the-art cardiovascular unit (CVU) immediately following their procedure until discharge. “Most importantly, the CVU provides continuity of care and is less stressful for the patients and their families,” Dr. Nelson said. “Being able to provide so much right here is very valuable, and with UPMC, we are all together under one umbrella. That fosters the teamwork required for positive outcomes.”
Wayne Droll of Cumberland was the program’s first open heart surgery patient, undergoing his operation on Nov. 15, 2000. “The cardiac team was absolutely wonderful,” he said. “I can’t say enough about what they did. You won’t find any better anywhere. We are very blessed to have Dr. Nelson and this team in our community.”
David DeWitt of Frostburg, Md. has had two open heart surgeries to replace his aortic valve. His first surgery took place in 2008 and his second in 2023. “I chose to have my surgeries at UPMC because of Dr. Nelson and his staff. They are the very best,” he said. “The very first visit I had when he told me something needed done, I knew I was in the right place.”
“I think what makes our team special is the support they have for each other,” said Savannah Kenney, director, UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute & Critical Care Services. “They help each other grow and learn because they are dedicated to the program and want it to be successful, because it could be their own family member they are treating one day. This milestone is a testament to the entire HVI team. It is a celebratory time as we mark the longevity of a program that continues to flourish.”
“Five thousand hearts mean 5,000 families that we have positively impacted over the years,” said Chrissy Lechliter, chief nursing officer and vice president, Patient Care Services. “It means 5,000 patients that did not have to travel for hours and be separated from their families and away from their homes, and it is 5,000 patients that we have been privileged to care for from our community.”
“The impact that I have had on these patients is very gratifying,” said Dr. Nelson. “It’s very important to provide continuity of service to this community so patients don’t have to travel out of town. It’s heartwarming and gratifying to provide this care, and I think the patients feel it too.”
