Thirty years ago, Grant Parr, MD, performed the first open-heart surgery at Morristown Medical Center. As physician-in-chief at Morristown's Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute, Dr. Parr has witnessed the introduction of many advances to its cardiovascular program. From state-of-the-art imaging and cath lab equipment to a dramatic rise in minimally invasive procedures, Morristown Medical Center's cardiovascular program has grown dramatically.
In 2008, a decade ago, the volume led to a brand new building to accommodate the growth, and the Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute was dedicated in November 2008.
As the demand for services continued, so did the demand for rooms. We are pleased to share that service continues to expand with a two-story addition that will house 72 private patient rooms as well as new cardiac magnetic resonance imaging equipment. In addition to the physical growth, “we have expanded our approaches to the evaluation and treatment of every form of heart disease with our nationally recognized cardiac surgery and cardiology programs," says Linda Gillam, MD, MPH, Dorothy and Lloyd Huck Chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine and medical director of cardiovascular services for Atlantic Health System.
Gagnon Cardiovascular Institute is the largest heart care program in the state of New Jersey, has the highest quality performance ratings from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and is nationally ranked by U.S. News & World Report.