WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, a known leader in cardiac surgery, celebrates a decade of success
West Virginia University (WVU) is celebrating a significant milestone: the 10-year anniversary of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute.
The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, part of WVU Medicine, was founded in 2016 to help advance the diagnosis, management and treatment of cardiovascular disease. It now has approximately 4,000 employees and treats patients at more than 29 locations in West Virginia and other nearby states.
In addition to being nationally recognized for its high-quality patient care, the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute has also evolved into a world leader in the practice of advanced cardiac surgery techniques such as robotic aortic valve replacement (RAVR). It even hosts an annual symposium focused on the development and practice of RAVR, attracting attention from care teams around the globe.
“Over the past decade, the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute has become a powerful example of what can be accomplished when the strengths of West Virginia University and WVU Medicine come together around a shared vision,” Michael T. Benson, WVU president and chair of the WVU Health System and WVU Hospitals boards of directors, said in a statement. “With its work, the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute strengthens our academic mission, expands our capacity for innovation and education, and establishes WVU Medicine as a leader in heart and vascular care. We are proud of this partnership and look forward to what we can accomplish together in the next decade.”
Vinay Badhwar, MD, and his team perform a robotic TAVR explant and aortic valve replacement. Image courtesy of WVU Medicine.
“From the beginning, our purpose has been clear: to transform cardiovascular care by bringing together extraordinary people, innovative medicine, and a commitment to every patient with whose care we have been entrusted,” added Vinay Badhwar, MD, executive chair of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute and current president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. “The past decade has been defined by the dedication of our teams who deliver the most advanced care available through collaboration and compassion – elevating our state, institution, and university, but most importantly impacting the lives of our patients and their families.”
Embracing the power of prevention
According to the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, its clinicians and leaders are just getting started when it comes to advancing patient care. While the last 10 years were focused heavily on treating cardiovascular disease, its leaders are now focusing on preventing it from ever developing in the first place. This focus on prevention mirrors a similar trend seen throughout much of the cardiology landscape in 2026.
“We have had such a blessed last decade,” Badhwar said. “But now our focus is not only on caring for the acuity of illness, but preventing it. As we look to the next 10 years, we should continue to advance and innovate as we have. We’ve done many world firsts here in West Virginia. But now we have to work on preventing the disease itself. That’s our next chapter.”
Click here for additional information about the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute’s 10-year anniversary.
Michael has more than 19 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.