Memorial Regional Hospital to offer adult heart transplants

Adult heart transplants will soon be taking place at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.

The Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute (MCVI), a leading provider of adult cardiac services in South Florida, has received federal approval from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to launch an adult transplant program at Memorial Regional.

“This is a major accomplishment,” said Dr. Ioana Dumitru, medical director. “We will be able to provide total heart care to patients who come to Memorial Regional Hospital and offer a complete continuum of cardiac care. We will offer advanced cardiac services including specialized cardiac procedures.”

This will allow patients in the Hollywood area who would have otherwise gone to Jackson Health System or hospitals in Tampa, Gainesville or other cities for advanced cardiac treatment to received it at Memorial Regional Hospital. 

The UNOS approval now clears the way for surgeon Enrique Gongora, M.D. medical director, Adult Cardiac Transplant Program to perform the first heart transplant in the hospital’s history. Dr. Ioana Dumitru, medical director, Adult Cardiac Transplant, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy, will lead the management of cardiac transplant patient care before and after transplant. 

“This is a momentous occasion for the MCVA team, who has worked diligently to create a program of the caliber required for heart transplantation,” said Dr. Richard Perryman, M.D. medical director, MCVI. “We also believe it’s great news for the South Florida community and the patients and families we have the pleasure to serve. The MCVI Adult Cardiac Transplant Heart Program is the only one of its kind in Broward County and one of only two programs in South Florida to offer total heart care which includes heart transplantation.”

Zeff Ross, senior vice president and chief executive officer, Memorial Regional Hospital is pleased that the hospital will be able to offer heart transplants. “MCVI’s highly skilled, multidisciplinary team raises the bar even higher on cardiac care in the community. Prior to federal approval, statistics showed that a large number of patients did not have sufficient access to heart transplant services and many had to seek services outside South Florida and even out of state,” said Zoss.

Dr. Gongora believes the program will be very successful. “Heart transplantation demands a comprehensive team effort. Beyond the physicians, we’re fortunate to have a team of high caliber, dedicated nurses, intensivists, perfusionists, and laboratory medicine experts – all levels of patient care – who are helping us make this dream a reality,” said. Dr. Gongora. 

Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute is a leader in cardiovascular care in South Florida. It offers a wide array of services dedicated to the prevention, detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Its specialists work together as a multidisciplinary team using sophisticated diagnostic equipment and facilities dedicated solely to cardiovascular care. 

Author: Amanda Jones
Author: Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones specializes in social media marketing. She holds a Master's degree in Social Media Management from the University of Florida and a Social Media Professional Certificate from the University of Miami.

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