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The Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute (MCVI) has received federal approval from UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing) to launch an adult heart transplant program at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
 

Dr. Enrique Gongora

“This is a momentous occasion for the MCVI team, who has worked diligently to create a program of the caliber required for heart transplantation,” said Richard Perryman, M.D., medical director, MCVI.

 
“We also believe it’s great news for the South Florida community and the patients and families we have the pleasure to serve,” Dr. Perryman pointed out. The MCVI Adult Cardiac Transplant Heart Program is the only one of its kind in Broward County and one of only two programs in South Florida to offer total heart care which includes heart transplantation.
 
 
MCVI’s highly skilled, multidisciplinary team raises the bar even higher on cardiac care in the community,” said Zeff Ross, senior vice president and chief executive officer, Memorial Regional

Dr. Ioana Dumitru

Hospital. Prior to federal approval, statistics showed that a large number of patients did not have sufficient access to heart transplant services and many had to seek services outside South Florida and even out of state.

 
The UNOS approval now clears the path for surgeon Enrique Gongora, M.D., medical director, Adult Cardiac Transplant Program, to perform the first heart transplant in the hospital’s history. Ioana Dumitru, M.D., medical director, Adult Cardiac Transplant, Heart Failure and Cardiomyopathy, will lead the management of cardiac transplant patient care before and after transplant.