November 4, 2019 – Cleveland Clinic Florida completed its 100th heart transplant when 71-year old Ft. Pierce resident Gary Pettit received a new heart at its hospital in Weston, Florida in late September. Pettit, a resident of Hutchinson Island, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure and had been battling heart issues for 11 years. Following the surgery, Pettit had high praise for the Clinic’s surgical team and said he “feels great” while continuing to undergo cardiac rehabilitation at his home.
Cleveland Clinic Florida began its heart transplant program at the Weston hospital in 2014. The #1 ranked hospital in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market by US News & World Report, developed the program in close collaboration with Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, which has ranked #1 in heart care by US News & World Report for 25 consecutive years.
“In five short years, we’ve been able to give 100 patients a new heart and a new chance at life,” said Rodolfo Blandon, MD, President of Cleveland Clinic Weston. “This milestone not only showcases the significant growth of our transplant program, but also our expertise and ability to provide world-class care. I want to recognize and commend our dedicated team of caregivers who have made this possible.”
Cleveland Clinic Florida launched its transplant program in 2013 and began performing liver and kidney transplants that year, and heart transplants the following year. The hospital also reached its 1000th transplant milestone in May 2019, further showcasing the impact it has had in South Florida beyond.
“Achieving our 100th heart transplant and our 1,000th transplant in the same year is a significant milestone,” said Cedric Sheffield, MD, Director of Heart Transplant and Mechanical Circulatory Support. “Through the team’s dedication to putting patients first, we have been able to transform the lives of so many families. Our program continues to grow and we look forward to many more successes on behalf of our patients in the years to come.”
About Cleveland Clinic Weston
Cleveland Clinic Weston, part of Cleveland Clinic’s Florida region, is a nonprofit, multi-specialty, academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. With locations in Weston, Fort Lauderdale, Coral Springs, Parkland, West Palm Beach, Wellington, and Palm Beach Gardens, Cleveland Clinic Weston has more than 250 physicians with expertise in 55 specialties. The medical campus is fully integrated and includes diagnostic centers, outpatient surgery and a 24-hour emergency department located in the state-of-the-art hospital. Cleveland Clinic’s Florida region now includes Cleveland Clinic Indian River and Cleveland Clinic Martin Health and has hospitals and outpatient centers in Broward, Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties. The Florida region is an integral part of Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, where providing outstanding patient care is based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Physicians at Cleveland Clinic are experts in the treatment of complex conditions that are difficult to diagnose. For more information about Cleveland Clinic Florida, visit www.clevelandclinicflorida.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
