A Message from our chief
I am pleased to introduce the 2024-2025 Review for the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at the University of Michigan Health System. With a team of 130 faculty, 36 fellows, and a large team of dedicated staff, our division is among the country’s leading heart and vascular programs. We are committed to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the full spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. On July 1, 2025, Dr. Hakan Oral assumed the role of division chief. I was grateful for the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Oral during this transition, which was characterized by mutual respect, shared vision, and close collaboration. We were very much in lockstep throughout the process, ensuring continuity in leadership while thoughtfully preparing the division for its next chapter. Dr. Oral’s engagement, leadership, and commitment to excellence made the transition seamless, and it has been a privilege to support him as he stepped into this role. I am confident that the division is well positioned for continued growth and innovation under his leadership. We are excited to share the remarkable accomplishments and ongoing growth of our division over the past two years. Sincerely, John Bisognano, MD - Interim Chief
Faculty Recognition and awards
Geoffrey Barnes, MD, was elected president of the Anticoagulation Forum Board of Directors, a prestigious national leadership role that reflects his outstanding contributions to vascular medicine and patient safety. Nicole Bhave, MD, was named the American College of Cardiology (ACC) Annual Scientific Session vice chair for ACC 2027 and ACC 2028. She will then become chair for ACC 2029 and ACC 2030. Marion Hofmann Bowman, MD, PhD, was inaugurated as the first Research Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine. She specializes in genetic cardiovascular disorders of the aorta and has conducted decades of high-impact research on vascular inflammation related to atherosclerosis, vascular calcification, and aortic aneurysms. Notably, she was senior author on a 2019 study that found receiving the influenza vaccine reduced the likelihood of testing positive for or developing severe illness from COVID-19, a significant finding at the time. Matthew Brody, PhD, was installed as the Pfizer Upjohn Early Career Research Professor of Molecular Pharmacology. James Froehlich, MD, was appointed as the Melvin A. Lester, M.D. Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine. Jessica Golbus, MD, was the recipient of the prestigious American Heart Association Sarns Award. Hitinder Gurm, MD, was selected to be the chief medical officer for the University of Michigan Health System. Scott Hummel, MD, received the prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers - the highest honor the U.S. government bestows on scientists and engineers beginning their independent research careers. Venkatesh Murthy, MD, PhD, received the Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging Hermann Blumgart Award, the highest award and honor bestowed by the society. Venkatesh Murthy, MD, PhD, was selected to become a Master of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology. The society is reserved for distinguished leaders in the field of nuclear cardiology. The designation is a lifelong honor granted to individuals who have shown outstanding leadership and made significant contributions to the field. Brahmajee K. Nallamothu, MD, served as the Vice Chair of the Committee on Scientific Sessions for the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2025. Dr. Nallamothu was instrumental in shaping the content and experience of the 2025 meeting held in New Orleans, ensuring the program addressed both established practices and emerging innovations in the field. Hakan Oral, MD, was named the Frederick G.L. Huetwell Research Professor in Cardiovascular Medicine. Bertram Pitt, MD, has received the distinguished honor of being named to Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers™ List, which recognizes scientists worldwide for broad and impactful contributions to their fields. Jennifer Romano, MD, was elected president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Dr. Romano was one of the first congenital heart surgeons and the first woman to be elected to the position. Anthony Rosenzweig, MD, was named the Stanley and Judith Frankel Professorship in Heart and Brain Health.
patient care highlights
U.S. News & World Report Rankings
The Frankel CVC remains the #1 Heart & Vascular Program in Michigan by U.S. News & World Report in their Best Hospitals rankings. We're pleased to be high performing in each of the ranked cardiovascular-related procedures and conditions, including two new categories — heart arrhythmia and pacemaker implantation.
Michigan's First Comprehensive Hypertension Center Certification
The University of Michigan Health System received the state’s first Comprehensive Hypertension Center Certification by the American Heart Association. The award recognizes the health system’s commitment to using proven, research-based treatment guidelines to care for patients with the most complex forms of hypertension, or high blood pressure. “In addition to serving patients with resistant and refractory hypertension, the Comprehensive Hypertension Center is a resource for providers and learners of all levels, including practicing physicians, advanced practice providers, fellows, residents, students and the community at large." - John Bisognano, MD
Electrophysiology Program
The cardiovascular section of electrophysiology, directed by Hakan Oral, MD, achieved a 99th percentile rating in Overall Rating of Care in a nationwide patient experience survey for ambulatory surgery. Percentile ranking is based on patient experience surveys conducted by Press Ganey across other national facilities. In addition, the electrophysiology program continued to grow and improved regional access by opening a location in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Expanding Our Reach
We welcomed 15 new faculty members, expanded our reach to UMH-West with an electrophysiology program, and, more recently, to UMH-Sparrow with the establishment of a new Advanced Heart Failure Clinic. In addition, a new cardiovascular medicine clinic has been launched in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
research HIGHLIGHTS
Our physician-scientists and clinician-scholars have been awarded 18 major grants, including four significant awards from the National Institutes of Health. Santhi Ganesh, MD, was selected for the Leducq Foundation Networks of Excellence Program—a prestigious international collaboration supporting groundbreaking research in cardiovascular and neurovascular disease. We are the first hospital in Michigan to perform mitral valve repair using the Half Moon Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (TMVr) System in an international clinical trial for patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation. The trial examines if this technology is an effective treatment method for reducing mitral valve regurgitation. “The Half Moon device allowed us to successfully treat a patient with severe Mitral Regurgitation who had no other meaningful treatment options. We are very excited about the opportunity to expand our percutaneous toolbox for the treatment of mitral valve disease," stated Stan Chetcuti, MD, who treated the 15th patient in the study.
Study Supports Reduced Blood Thinner Doses
Geoffrey Barnes, MD, MSc, led a research team studying the two most prescribed direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), rivaroxaban (brand name Xarelto) and apixaban (brand name Eliquis). The results suggest that reducing the dose of commonly prescribed blood thinners, used by more than two-thirds of people on anticoagulants, may help lower the risk of future bleeding. “In the absence of randomized trial data, these results provide the best supporting evidence that we can safely reduce the dose of DOACs in many patients to prevent recurrent VTE and avoid bleeding complications,” said Dr. Barnes.
Growing Our Research Portfolio
Our division continues to lead cutting-edge cardiovascular research with strong momentum in grant funding. Adam Helms, MD, and Brian Byrd, MD, both secured new external funding from NIH for their innovative work. Read more about their work below:
Brian Byrd, MD, is conducting a study on how the hormone, aldosterone, and the menopausal transition contribute to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. The study aims to clarify how menopause influences the relationship between aldosterone and blood pressure, determine whether aldosterone breakthrough affects treatment effectiveness, and assess how hormonal changes during this period relate to long-term heart and kidney health. Adam Helms, MD, is investigating how noncoding genetic variants influence the severity of cardiomyopathies. Focusing on two key genes—MYBPC3 and DSP—that are commonly linked to these conditions, the study aims to identify genetic modifiers that affect gene expression and disease severity. The findings will advance precision medicine by improving risk prediction and guiding more personalized treatment strategies.
Text Messages to Promote Physical Activity in Patients With Cardiovascular Disease
Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of heart disease or having a second cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke. As more people use wearable technology, such as smartwatches, researchers continue to explore whether it can successfully promote physical activity. That includes customized messages to encourage patients to be more active, like walking outside when the weather is nice. A study by Jessica Golbus, MD, found that personalized text messages effectively promoted increased physical activity for patients after significant heart events—such as a heart attack or surgery—but those effects later diminished. "Our study shows incredible promise for simple, low-cost interventions delivered through mobile technology and their potential to help prevent secondary cardiovascular events in patients," stated Dr. Golbus.
Recycled Pacemakers Work as Good as New Devices
Thomas Crawford, MD, led a University of Michigan study showing that recycled pacemakers can function as well as new devices, potentially expanding access in low- and middle-income countries. In a trial of nearly 300 patients across seven countries, device function and safety were comparable up to 90 days. U-M’s “My Heart Your Heart” program reconditions pacemakers with sufficient battery life and ships them abroad, helping save lives where pacemaker therapy is scarce. “These positive early results bring us closer to the reality of a large-scale pacemaker donation and reconditioning that could save lives across the globe,” said Dr. Crawford. “Unlike in the United States, pacemaker therapy is often not available or affordable for people in low- and middle-income countries. Our program is determined to change that.”
Biologic Drug Reduces Symptoms, Hospitalization for Severe Pulmonary Hypertension
A study led by Vallerie McLauglin, MD, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, found that adding the biologic drug sotatercept to standard therapy for the most severe form of pulmonary hypertension—within the first year after diagnosis—significantly reduced the risk of disease progression.
Inaccurate Pulse Oximeter Readings Could Limit Transplants, Heart Pumps for Black Patients with Heart Failure
Scott Ketcham, MD, uncovered that pulse oximeters may not provide accurate readings for Black patients. A newer study has now shown that racially biased readings of oxygen levels in the blood using the devices may further limit opportunities for Black patients with heart failure to receive potentially lifesaving treatments, such as heart pumps and transplants.
"We know that Black patients are already less likely to receive heart pumps or transplants compared to their white counterparts, and these inaccurate readings can further widen a disparity that must be addressed by our health care system"
EDUCATION highlights
Our NIH-funded T32 training program has been successfully renewed for another five years, continuing support for eight fellowship positions—a major achievement led by David Pinsky, MD. We launched our first Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Fellowship, providing comprehensive training in multimodal imaging, including CT, MRI, and nuclear cardiology. Our flagship Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship has been approved to expand from seven to eight fellows per year, with the inaugural 8-fellow class set to begin in July 2025.
In Memoriam
In 2024, we lost Dr. Daniel Goldstein who was an integral part of our division and distinguished himself as a visionary leader and a dedicated scholar. A renowned physician-scientist and cardiovascular aging expert, Dr. Goldstein published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles and significantly influenced medicine through his work in the fields of cardiology and immunology, focusing on the interplay between inflammation, aging, atherosclerosis, and organ transplantation. He was also known for his excellence in teaching and mentoring physicians and scientists at all career stages. Dr. Goldstein was the inaugural leader of the Michigan Biology of Cardiovascular Aging program and served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation from 2021-2023. Dr. Goldstein’s lasting contributions to science, clinical care, and education leave an enduring impact on our division and the broader medical community.
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