St. Francis Heart Center at Good Samaritan University Hospital Celebrates 1,000th TAVR Procedure Milestone

The St. Francis Heart Center at Good Samaritan University Hospital proudly announces the successful completion of its 1,000th Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure, marking a major milestone in the delivery of life-saving structural heart care for patients across Long Island and the surrounding region.

TAVR is a minimally invasive procedure used to replace a narrowed aortic valve that fails to open properly, a condition known as aortic stenosis. For many patients—particularly older adults or those considered high-risk for traditional open-heart surgery—TAVR offers a transformative treatment option with shorter recovery times and outstanding clinical outcomes.

Reaching the 1,000-procedure milestone reflects years of dedication, collaboration, and clinical excellence from the multidisciplinary heart team at the St. Francis Heart Center. The program brings together interventional cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, imaging specialists, nurses, technologists, and support staff who work seamlessly to provide individualized, compassionate care to every patient.

“This milestone represents far more than a number—it represents 1,000 lives impacted through innovation, expertise, and compassionate care,” said Dr. Justin Lundbye, Good Samaritan University Hospital President. “Our structural heart team continues to deliver cutting-edge therapies that improve quality of life and provide hope to patients who may otherwise have limited treatment options.”

The success of the TAVR program is a testament to the exceptional physicians and clinicians whose expertise has established the St. Francis Heart Center as a regional leader in advanced cardiovascular medicine. Their commitment to excellence, patient safety, and clinical innovation has helped position the program among the premier destinations for structural heart interventions in New York.

The St. Francis Heart Center at Good Samaritan University Hospital offers one of the most comprehensive cardiovascular programs in the region, delivering advanced diagnostic, interventional, electrophysiology, vascular, and surgical services. The program provides a full spectrum of cardiac care, including structural heart interventions, cardiac catheterization, minimally invasive procedures, open-heart surgery, heart rhythm management, vascular treatments, emergency cardiac care, cardiac rehabilitation, and advanced imaging.

As part of Catholic Health, Good Samaritan University Hospital continues to expand access to nationally recognized cardiovascular care close to home for Long Island residents. The St. Francis Heart Center combines leading-edge technology with a patient-centered approach, ensuring patients receive world-class treatment backed by clinical expertise, innovation, and compassionate care. 

The program has been recognized as High Performing in Heart Bypass Surgery and TAVR by US News & World Report. In addition, it has been named by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best for Cardiac Surgery, its Cardiac Surgery Excellence Award and its Five-Star Award for Valve Surgery. The completion of the 1,000th TAVR procedure reflects the hospital’s continued investment in advanced cardiac services and its unwavering mission to improve the health and well-being of the communities it serves. 

For a referral to a St. Francis Heart Center physician visit www.chsli.org or call (866) MY-LI-DOC.