UTMB Health has advanced cardiovascular health by establishing the Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute on the Galveston Campus.
“The Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute is the first fully integrated institute in UTMB’s history, uniting the health system and academic enterprise,” Institute Director Dr. Hani Jneid said. “By uniting cardiovascular medicine, cardiac surgery and vascular surgery, we’re building a center of excellence.”
Improving access to lifesaving care
The institute will enhance advanced cardiac services, fuel innovative research and expand educational opportunities in cardiovascular medicine, backed by a $30 million grant from the Sealy and Smith Foundation and an additional $15 million from UTMB.
The new institute is committed to expanding access to world-class cardiovascular care for patients in Texas and beyond.
“Access is at the forefront of our mission,” Jneid said. “We’re adding more physicians, advanced practice providers and specialized staff to ensure patients can see a cardiologist faster and more conveniently.”
The new No Galvestonian Left Behind initiative embodies that mission. It is a program aimed at ensuring no patient waits long for care. Through this effort, the institute has introduced:
- Same-day access to cardiologists for urgent needs
- Extended evening hours on Wednesdays
- Saturday clinics every other weekend
Innovation and advanced technology
The Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute will serve as a hub for innovation, introducing specialized programs and cutting-edge technology to improve patient outcomes.
New initiatives include:
- Cardiovascular Wellness Program
- Advanced Hypertension Program
- Women’s Cardiovascular Health Program
- Integration of artificial intelligence for early disease detection
“We’re adopting AI tools for opportunistic screening,” Jneid said. “This allows us to identify patients with undiagnosed or missed cardiovascular disease in our health records and bring them into care sooner.”
Training the next generation
Beyond patient care, the Institute plays a critical role in advancing medical education and research.
UTMB’s cardiology fellowship program has expanded, doubling from five to 11 fellows per year. The university has also expanded its international cardiology fellowship from two to three annually, with plans to launch a new electrophysiology fellowship—the first at UTMB.
The Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute now offers advanced training in interventional cardiology, heart failure and imaging, in addition to its general fellowship.
“These programs train the next generation of cardiovascular specialists using the latest tools, technologies and evidence-based practices,” Jneid said. “Our fellows gain hands-on experience in an integrated institute that combines clinical excellence, innovation and academic rigor.”
The institute partners with the American Heart Association to host the annual UTMB-AHA Cardiovascular Symposium, attracting more than 250 physicians, nurse practitioners and internists from the region, to strengthen its educational mission. The event brings together experts nationwide to share research, discuss best practices and explore emerging trends in cardiovascular medicine.
A vision for the future
UTMB aims to build a center of cardiovascular excellence that is recognized nationally and internationally.
One of the most ambitious projects is the Galveston Heart Study, a decades-long initiative following 10,000 island residents to track cardiovascular health and risk factors over time.
“This study will expand our scientific understanding and improve the cardiovascular health of our community,” Jneid said.
Visit www.utmb.edu/sealy-heart-vascular-institute for details about the Sealy Heart and Vascular Institute and its programs.
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