WVU Heart and Vascular Institute restores pacemaker program at Davis Medical Center

ELKINS, W.Va. – Davis Medical Center is once again able to implant pacemakers, thanks to its partnership with WVU Medicine. The first procedure since the partnership began was performed on June 12 at Davis Medical Center.

“It’s great to be able to perform this procedure here,” Abbas Ali, M.D., cardiologist at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, said. “The patient did not have to travel the long distance to Morgantown to receive her pacemaker. With more people requiring devices to extend their lives, it is our mission to provide this service for the community so they may have access to these procedures here.”

According to Dr. Ali, the patient is doing well and recovering at home.

Doctors from the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute travel to Elkins up to five days a week to provide care to area patients. The partnership with Davis Medical Center allows patients to consult with vascular and thoracic surgeons and cardiologists at their local clinic or through telemedicine. 

“Our mission is to enhance high quality comprehensive cardiovascular, thoracic, and cardiology services for our patients,” Vinay Badhwar, M.D., executive chair of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, said. “With our excellent partnerships across the state, like this one with the Davis Health System, we hope that our patients will be able to access the best possible heart and vascular services close to home.”

WVU Medicine and Davis Medical Center formed the partnership with the intent to provide specialized services without merger or acquisition by either health system, providing a landscape for the highest quality and more efficient care for patients.

“In a short amount of time, our partnership for heart and vascular care is positively impacting patients in our community. This milestone is evidence of the continued improvement of patient experience and access to specialized care,” Vance Jackson, CEO, Davis Health System, said. “We look forward to continuing to expand local care services in collaboration with WVU Medicine.”