By Kyril Choumarov, MD, Medical Director/Chief of MVHS Cardiac Surgery
Michael Kelberman, MD, FACC, CNY Cardiology and President, MVHS Medical Staff
In the center of the Mohawk Valley region, one health system stands as a cornerstone of cardiovascular care – the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS). MVHS is committed to treating heart disease with a level of skill, innovation and community focus that many patients only expect to find in major metropolitan centers. From preventive screening tools to advanced interventions, MVHS and our partners have built comprehensive cardiac care services that reflect both clinical excellence and patient-centered care.
A Center of Excellence in Cardiac Care
MVHS’s cardiac program is a regionally recognized destination for comprehensive heart care. The health system has earned the HeartCARE Center: National Distinction of Excellence from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), a prestigious recognition that signals sustained performance in quality, clinical outcomes and patient-centric practices. MVHS was the first hospital in New York State to receive this distinction and remains among a select group nationwide.
This designation reflects MVHS’s emphasis on integrated care pathways, multidisciplinary expertise and a continuum of cardiovascular services – from diagnostic assessment to intervention and rehabilitation.
A Strong Regional Partnership: MVHS and CNY Cardiology
A defining strength of MVHS Cardiac Services is its long-standing partnership with CNY Cardiology, one of Upstate New York’s most established and well-known cardiology practices. This collaboration brings together the resources and infrastructure of a comprehensive health system with the clinical expertise of a physician-led cardiology group, creating a unified and coordinated approach to heart care across the Mohawk Valley. Together, MVHS and CNY Cardiology offer a broad portfolio of services that includes:
- Structural Heart Interventions such as TAVR (transcatheter aortic valve replacement), Watchman device implantation and MitraClip procedures.
- Minimally invasive surgeries and hybrid approaches that support faster recovery and fewer complications.
- Diagnostic and interventional procedures including cardiac catheterization, angioplasty and stenting.
- Electrophysiology services for arrhythmia management.
An Exceptional Cardiac Surgery Program
MVHS’s Cardiac Surgery Group is composed of experienced surgeons and a comprehensive clinical team. This team’s expertise encompasses critical operations such as coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG – often referred to as open heart surgery), heart valve repair and replacement, surgery for aortic aneurysms and correction of complex heart rhythm disorders – all of which are hallmarks of cardiac surgery practice.
This surgical program functions within a collaborative framework that integrates cardiac surgery, cardiology, anesthesia, intensive care and advanced nursing. It is designed to provide comprehensive pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative care, ensuring that patients receive coordinated support throughout the surgical journey. The involvement of advanced practice providers and specialized clinical staff further strengthens this continuum, addressing patient needs from initial assessment to recovery and discharge planning.
Looking Ahead
Patients come to MVHS expecting high-quality, technologically advanced care – and in many areas, they find exactly that. The cardiac services team has shown that high-quality care – backed by national recognition – can exist in community settings, helping patients stay closer to home during some of the most vulnerable moments of their health journeys.
As MVHS continues to advance its heart care capabilities, the future looks promising for a program that blends innovation, safety and compassion – keeping the heart of the Mohawk Valley in capable hands.
