For Immediate Release January 28, 2020

University of Maryland Capital Region Health Launches Heart & Vascular Institute

New Institute Rises to the Challenge to Meet the Cardiovascular Health Needs of Prince George's County and Southern Maryland

CHEVERLY, MD (January 28, 2020) – To better meet the healthcare needs of residents in Prince George's County and Southern Maryland, University of Maryland Capital Region Health has launched its Heart & Vascular Institute (HVI). According to the CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, in Prince George's County, from 2015-2017 heart disease was the leading cause of mortality, accounting for nearly 4,500 deaths—a rate that exceeds both state and national averages.

The UM Capital Heart & Vascular Institute provides multidisciplinary care, bringing together clinical expertise across a range of services and specialties that will give residents access to care close to where they reside. UM Capital's HVI includes core services such as minimally invasive procedures, heart surgery, cardiac rehab, chest pain center, cardiac diagnostic testing and advanced procedural technologies that support the delivery of enhanced cardiovascular care.

The focus on cardiac intervention has been an ongoing priority for UM Capital. Since re-launching the cardiac surgery program in 2014, the program has earned the highest rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for the quality of the hospital's Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) procedure. CABG (often referred to as "cabbage") is the most common type of open heart surgery, improving blood flow to the heart by bypassing clogged arteries.

"Launching a Heart & Vascular Institute represents a broad commitment from University of Maryland Medical System to address the most prevalent health challenges in the communities we serve," says Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President & Chief Executive Officer, University of Maryland Medical System. "Providing high-quality care coupled with an overall commitment to help meet the needs of our communities are important priorities. I am steadfast in my support of UM Capital as we work to fulfill our mission to be the premier health care provider in Prince George's County. This Institute exemplifies our commitment."

The launch of HVI takes place 15 months in advance of opening a new hospital, the University of Maryland Capital Region Medical Center, in Largo, MD. The new hospital represents a $543 million investment by Prince George's County, the State of Maryland and UMMS. The 600,000 square foot flagship facility will include 205 private inpatient rooms and eight operating rooms. The Heart & Vascular Institute will move from University of Maryland Prince George's Hospital Center with its other programs and services in April 2021.

"While there's much excitement mounting around our new hospital, we need to serve our patients with safe, high quality care close to home now," says Joseph L. Wright, MD, MPH, FAAP, President & CEO (interim), University of Maryland Capital Region Health. "Our focused effort to advance how we more comprehensively address cardiovascular disease in our community cannot wait until our move. We have the technology, clinical expertise, drive and commitment to provide the right care, in the right place, right now."

Patients receiving care in the HVI can expect a highly skilled and experienced team to guide them throughout their treatment course. Assembling a team of physicians and caregivers to deliver compassionate care was also a top priority in launching the HVI.

"When a patient comes into our care, it's an unexpected critical medical emergency for them," says Jamie Brown, MD, a cardiothoracic surgeon who serves as the Medical Director for HVI and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. "Our team understands the sensitivities and complexities of caring for patients who are in life-threatening situations. They understand our mission and their dedication to our patients is like no other."

The guiding principles of the HVI focus on quality, safety, patient experience, and efficiency. The care team has committed to adhering to a culture of learning, discovery, and personal growth within the field of heart and vascular medicine.

View more information about the new University of Maryland Capital Region Health Heart & Vascular Institute. For information on how to support UM Capital Region Health with philanthropic support, visit umcapitalregionfoundation.org.

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About University of Maryland Capital Region Health

Providing primary and specialty health care services to Prince George's County and the neighboring area, University of Maryland Capital Region Health was established in September 2017 upon formal affiliation with the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), and is committed to making a positive impact on the health and well-being of patients and families. University of Maryland Capital Region Health operates the University of Maryland Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly, University of Maryland Laurel Medical Center, University of Maryland Bowie Health Campus, and the University of Maryland Family Health & Wellness Center in Suitland. Together, community physicians and University of Maryland School of Medicine (SOM) faculty provide clinical expertise across a range of specialties and programs including: acute rehabilitation; anesthesiology; critical and chronic ventilation care; emergency medicine; neonatology (including the County's highest level neonatal intensive care unit); orthopedics; vascular surgery; a certified and designated primary stroke center; and the State's second-busiest trauma center. University of Maryland School of Medicine faculty also lead the highly-regarded cardiac surgery program at UM Prince George's Hospital Center. A new state-of-the-art regional medical center is expected to open in Largo in 2021. For more information, visit www.umcapitalregion.org.

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state's future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the UM Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system's 28,000 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations and at 13 hospitals. UMMS' flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore is partnered with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the state. In addition, UMMS operates health insurance plans serving Medicare and Medicaid members. For more information, visit www.umms.org.