Conrad Haas, 70, of Suffolk, told a press gathering, "Thanks to Dr. Joseph Auteri, my health is restored. I am so grateful to have had such a skillful and compassionate surgeon and team of nurses and techs as I've had here at the Bon Secours Heart Institute. I'm looking forward to getting on with my life."

Gratitude for bringing a world class cardiac program to Hampton Roads is also being shown by non-patients as well. "This surgery program is setting the pace for heart care in Hampton Roads. I say that not only because of the lives that are being saved, but it also marks the first time that open-heart surgery has been available in Western Hampton Roads," according to Steve Zollos, Director of the Senior Health Program. "It's equally important to realize that Bon Secours developed the Heart Institute in the area that has the highest rate of heart disease in an eight-state region."

Joseph Auteri, M.D., a cardiac surgeon and medical director of the Bon Secours Heart Institute, has performed well over 3,000 open-heart surgeries and was hand-picked to lead the program by Bon Secours and its partner, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, which ranks 8th in the nation for heart care. After a year of performing heart surgeries in Hampton Roads, program statistics reveal that we really do have a world-class heart care leader right here in Hampton Roads. After the first quarter, the program was performing at, or better than, the quality benchmarks set through the nationally recognized Society for Thoracic Surgeons as well as other quality reporting agencies like Medicare for:

Medical outcomes are not the only indicators of a world-class program. Look at these third party statistics (PRC) that reveal how patients and visitors are treated for open heart procedures at the Heart Institute. Most heart programs target a score of 75% excellence. The Heart Institute consistently maintained scores in excess of 98%. This means that on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being "excellent," most patients gave the Heart Institute an excellent rating. That shows consistent and personal care on a truly world-class level.

Senior Health adds our gratitude to that shown by our community for Bon Secours bringing such an outstanding heart institute to our community!