$5 million
commitment will advance AHN's Living Health model in Cardiovascular
medicine, driving leading-edge clinical care, research and
technological innovations for patients with atrial fibrillation and
other heart rhythm disorders
PITTSBURGH, May 10, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Representatives from the Mario Lemieux
Foundation and Highmark Health today announced a major
collaborative gift to Allegheny Health Network's (AHN)
Cardiovascular Institute that will further strengthen the
organization's nationally recognized cardiac electrophysiology (EP)
program. The joint commitment, totaling $5
million, will formally establish "The Mario Lemieux
Center for Heart Rhythm Care" at AHN.
Lemieux Foundation, Highmark Health
Announce Major Gift to AHN, Establish The Mario Lemieux Center for
Heart Rhythm Care
This is the second philanthropic gift to AHN's EP program from
the Mario Lemieux Foundation. In 2019, the Foundation created the
"Mario Lemieux Innovation and Research Fund" through a
$1 million gift, which also was
matched by Highmark Health. It was the Foundation's first ever
support for an adult cardiovascular program in the greater
Pittsburgh region.
In 2005, hockey legend Mario
Lemieux was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), the
most prevalent heart rhythm disorder in the country. Since then,
his Foundation has helped support AHN's EP program to further
advance research and transform the standards of care for complex
cardiovascular diseases.
"All of our major gifts have a personal connection, and we are
thrilled to renew one that will further benefit those seeking
treatment for a heart rhythm condition in western Pennsylvania," said Lemieux. "Our support
ensures that Dr. Thosani and his team's remarkable contributions to
the field continue to excel right here in Pittsburgh."
AFib is an irregular, often rapid heart rhythm that originates
in the top chambers of the heart, reducing blood flow and
increasing the risk of stroke. Many patients experience symptoms
such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The
condition affects more than 6 million Americans and is a leading
cause of disability, hospitalizations and death in the country.
AHN's EP program has long been at the forefront of innovative
techniques and technologies for treating AFib and other heart
rhythm disorders. Led by Amit
Thosani, MD, Director of AHN Division of
Electrophysiology, and backed by the Foundation's support, the
EP clinical team has taken significant strides in recent years to
advance the care of cardiac patients throughout the region.
Since 2019, AHN's EP program has:
- Recruited a world-class clinical research team focused on data
collection and clinical trials enrollment.
- Introduced cutting-edge technologies to bring the most advanced
heart rhythm treatments to patients in Western Pennsylvania.
- Implemented machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI)
to accurately predict whether patients with heart rhythm disorders
will benefit from specific therapies and treatments.
- Joined more than 10 high-impact, global clinical trials, which
will greatly improve standards of care in cardiology.
- Hosted more than 40 cardiac electrophysiology programs from
around the country to showcase new technologies, promote best
practices and share the latest research innovations
The $5 million investment from the
Mario Lemieux Foundation and Highmark Health will further advance
the academic and research priorities of the AHN EP program,
including implementation of novel AI solutions and other
technological breakthroughs, clinical trials development and
participation in industry-leading research, residency and
fellowship training, and provider education.
"AHN's cardiovascular team is a global pioneer in the treatment
of heart and vascular diseases, and we are extremely proud of the
exceptional, life-saving capabilities they bring to our patients
and members," said David
Holmberg, president and CEO, Highmark Health. "It's a
great privilege to support their work, and to do so alongside such
a distinguished and instrumental community asset like the Mario
Lemieux Foundation."
AGH has long been one of the tri-state region's top quaternary
referral centers for advanced cardiovascular care and research. The
hospital's cardiovascular team is routinely lauded for its superior
quality and capabilities by leading national and international
medical organizations, including the Joint Commission, the American
College of Cardiology, and the American Heart Association.
In April, AHN and Highmark Health announced plans for a
$1 billion transformation of the AGH
campus that will include a new cardiovascular patient tower that
houses all the hospital's state-of-the-art facilities for
diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease, including the
"Mario Lemieux Center for Heart Rhythm Care." Construction is
expected to begin early next year.
"Highmark Health and AHN have demonstrated a remarkable
commitment to investing in the academic, clinical and research
pillars that define our world-class programs and make AGH a
destination for those in need of the highest level of
cardiovascular care," said Stephen
Bailey, MD, Chair, AHN Cardiovascular Institute. "We
also have been most fortunate to partner with an amazing
organization like the Mario Lemieux Foundation to further ensure
that we remain at the forefront of treating heart rhythm conditions
that affect millions of people every day across the country and our
region."
As the U.S. population continues to age, the number of those
diagnosed with AFib is expected to increase to more than 12 million
by 2030.
"We are profoundly grateful to the Mario Lemieux Foundation for
its support of our Living Health model and mission to create
remarkable health experiences and outcomes for our patients,"
said Mitch Beckman, Highmark
Health's chief development officer. "The Foundation's generous
support of AHN's electrophysiology team will help drive continuing
innovation in the program that will benefit patients in our region
for generations to come."
In addition to Dr. Thosani, the key faculty of the AHN Division
of Cardiac Electrophysiology who will play a critical role in work
supported by the Mario Lemieux Foundation's and Highmark Health's
generosity include Emerson Liu MD,
Joshua Silverstein MD, George Shaw MD, William
Belden, MD, Mati Friehling
MD, Tharian Cherian MD, Chris Bonnet, MD, and John Chenarides, MD.
About Allegheny Health Network:
Allegheny Health Network (AHN), a nonprofit, charitable
organization, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, serves
western Pennsylvania and parts of
neighboring states. Commencing operations in 2013, AHN is a
$4.7 billion health and wellness
organization that has more than 300 clinical locations, including
13 hospitals throughout western Pennsylvania and one in western New York; six Health + Wellness Pavilions; two
sports medicine and performance campuses; a comprehensive research
institute; ambulatory surgery centers; employed physician
organizations; home- and community-based health services; and a
group purchasing organization. AHN employs about 22,000 people, has
2,600 physicians on its medical staff, is affiliated with two
nursing regional schools, and serves as a clinical campus for
Drexel University College of Medicine
and the Lake Erie College of
Osteopathic Medicine.
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SOURCE Allegheny Health Network