Newsroom

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center have been recognized by the Mitral Foundation for demonstrated excellence in heart repair. This is NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s first year receiving the recognition, and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center’s fourth consecutive year.

The award is a testament to the growth of each program over the past several years: NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center’s robotic mitral valve repair program started in 2023; NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center’s launched in 2016.

The award recognizes NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center’s contribution to advancing best practices in the surgical treatment of mitral valve disease, a common valvular problem that occurs when irregularities develop in the heart valve between the left heart chambers. Mitral valve repair is one of the most challenging heart operations, according to the Mitral Foundation, but the results for patients with degenerative mitral valve disease can be very positive, with improved survival and few long-term complications.

The award identifies, recognizes, and promotes the nation’s medical centers that demonstrate adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines as well as an ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs.

"We are honored to once again receive this prestigious recognition," said Dr. Stephanie L. Mick, director of robotic and minimally invasive cardiac surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and the Carrie and David Landew Associate Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine. "This award reflects the expertise and dedication of our entire multidisciplinary team and our shared commitment to providing patients with mitral valve disease the highest quality of care.”

“The Mitral Foundation sets the standard for high-quality mitral valve repair care,” said Dr. Arnar Geirsson, chief of the Division of Cardiac Surgery and director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute and the surgical heart valve program at NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia and professor of surgery at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “This recognition is a testament to our team’s dedication to excellence and focus on delivering exceptional outcomes and providing an outstanding patient experience.”

For patients and families, this recognition offers added confidence that they are receiving treatment from a program committed to clinical excellence and outstanding outcomes, according to Drs. Mick and Geirsson.

The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award recognizes programs that meet rigorous standards for mitral valve repair, including repair rates, clinical outcomes, surgical expertise, and a commitment to advancing quality care for patients with mitral valve disease. The designation serves as an independent benchmark for excellence and helps patients identify centers with demonstrated expertise in mitral valve repair.

The recommended treatment for degenerative mitral valve disease is mitral valve reconstruction, as opposed to valve replacement since valve repair is associated with improved survival and fewer long-term complications. Many patients who would benefit from a valve repair receive a replacement valve instead, which has a higher rate of death or complications within five years after surgery.

More information about the Mitral Foundation Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award is available on www.mitralfoundation.org.