Our Cardiovascular Teams are All Heart!

October 2024 marked Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Mark Nelson's 5,000th open-heart surgery, the latest accolade for our award-winning open-heart surgery program - the Heart & Vascular Institute at UPMC Western Maryland. Dr. Nelson has been with UPMC Western Maryland's cardiac program since it began in 2000 and has been the sole provider of open-heart surgery west of Baltimore, offering thousands of patients world-class care right here at home. Over the past 25 years, the program has grown to include staff from various departments and specialties.

“Being able to provide this care locally is very valuable, and with UPMC, we are all together under one umbrella. That fosters the teamwork required for positive outcomes,” says Dr. Nelson.

“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, who has been with the program since day one. “It means 5,000 patients that did not have to travel hours from home, separated from their families. It means 5,000 patients that we have been privileged to care for right here in our community.”

Many recipients of Dr. Nelson's care gathered at the November celebration, along with hospital teams who attend him in surgery and care for the patients following their procedure.

When Jeff Rhodes needed bypass surgery, he trusted the experts at UPMC Western Maryland with his life. He and his wife Liz, a member of the Foundation board, expressed their grateful thanks to the Cardiovascular Unit by presenting an air fryer to the staff.

“We just want to say thank you for the incredible care that not only I received, but my family also during a difficult time,” he said. “Simply put, it’s second to none… all the way from Dr. Nelson and the surgical team to the folks on 3rd floor that take care of you when you’re recovering. It just couldn’t have been better for us, and we’re so appreciative of those folks.”

Liz echoed her husband’s sentiments. “We are so lucky in this Western Maryland area to have this quality of care,” she said. “UPMC Western Maryland is state of the art, and that cannot be stressed enough. It’s something we are very blessed to have here, and it’s an honor to receive such compassionate care. We did not know what to expect when all this happened, but if I could have scripted it, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.”

Grateful patient Stephen Garner and his wife, Laura Phillips Garner, stopped by the hospital in July after presenting a sizeable gift to the WMHS Foundation. The gesture represents their deep gratitude to the clinicians at UPMC Western Maryland, who saved Stephen’s life last fall following a heart attack. The couple felt strongly that they wanted to return in person to thank the staff who put Stephen firmly on the road to recovery—nurses in the Cardiovascular unit, therapists and aides in Cardiac Rehab, and the experts on the Cardiology staff. “We want to thank all of you for taking such amazing care of me through all facets of my heart surgery and recovery,” Stephen said. “All of you were so professional and compassionate, and you each made me feel that I was your only patient.”

Working with the Foundation, Stephen and Laura identified gifts for each of these units, and with tears in their eyes, expressed their gratitude for such excellent treatment and care to those who helped him. Savannah Kenney, director of the Heart and Vascular Institute and Critical Care Services, spoke on behalf of her teams. “We are profoundly thankful for the generous gifts provided by Stephen and Laura,” she said. “This kind gesture is a heartfelt acknowledgement of our teams' dedication and care. It inspires us to continue providing exceptional care to each patient, knowing what a lasting impact it has on our patients.”