National recertification reinforces UK HealthCare's leadership in heart failure care
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 27, 2026) — The University of Kentucky Gill Heart & Vascular Institute has earned recertification of its Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) program by The Joint Commission, reinforcing the program’s commitment to high-quality, lifesaving care for patients with advanced heart failure.
The Joint Commission is an independent, nonprofit organization that accredits and certifies healthcare programs nationwide. Its disease-specific certification for VAD programs recognizes hospitals that meet rigorous standards for multidisciplinary care, patient safety and continuous performance improvement.
The Gill Heart & Vascular Institute received its first VAD certification in 2009 and has received eight recertification achievements since then.
“We are incredibly proud and honored to receive this recertification from The Joint Commission,” said Emma Birks, M.D., section chief of heart failure in the department of cardiology at Gill Heart & Vascular Institute. “It’s a testament to the dedication of our entire team and the trust our patients place in us. Every day, we strive to deliver the highest level of care, and this recognition affirms our commitment to providing safe, advanced and compassionate treatment for those facing complex heart conditions.”
At UK HealthCare, the VAD program provides advanced mechanical circulatory support for patients with advanced heart failure whose hearts can no longer pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. A VAD is a surgically implanted pump that helps circulate blood throughout the body, improving blood flow, relieving symptoms, enhancing quality of life, and helping patients return to activities that matter most. VAD therapy may be used as a long-term treatment or as part of a patient's journey toward heart transplantation, depending on their individual needs and goals.
“This recertification reflects the dedication of our entire team to delivering exceptional care to some of our most complex patients,” said Matthias Loebe, M.D., cardiovascular surgeon at Gill Heart & Vascular Institute. “It validates the work we do every day to ensure our patients not only survive, but have the best possible quality of life.”
To achieve recertification, programs undergo an extensive review process that evaluates clinical outcomes, adherence to evidence-based practices and coordination across specialties. The Joint Commission also assesses patient education, follow-up care and long-term management, all critical components for individuals living with a VAD.
The recognition underscores UK HealthCare’s strength as a regional referral center for advanced heart failure treatment. The Gill Heart & Vascular Institute brings together cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, nurses, rehabilitation specialists and support staff to provide comprehensive, team-based care tailored to each patient.
For patients and families, the designation signals confidence. It means the program meets national benchmarks for safety and quality and has demonstrated a sustained commitment to improving outcomes.
“Advanced heart failure care doesn’t end after surgery,” Loebe said. “Our team supports patients at every step from evaluation and implantation to rehabilitation and long-term follow-up. This certification affirms that our approach is both comprehensive and patient-centered.”
The VAD program is a key component of UK HealthCare’s broader mission to advance care in Kentucky and expand access to cutting-edge cardiovascular care across the Commonwealth. By maintaining nationally recognized standards, the program ensures patients can receive highly specialized treatment close to home.
This recertification also positions UK HealthCare to remain at the forefront of innovation in heart failure care, including offering the full continuum of advanced heart failure services, from mechanical circulatory support to heart transplantation, alongside participation in clinical research and the adoption of emerging technologies.
“This recognition speaks directly to our mission of advancing care in Kentucky by making world-class care accessible to every patient who needs it,” Birks said. “It highlights our commitment to delivering the highest level of cardiovascular care, not just for Lexington, but for communities across the entire region.”
UK HealthCare is the hospitals and clinics of the University of Kentucky. But it is so much more. It is more than 10,000 dedicated healthcare professionals committed to providing advanced subspecialty care for the most critically injured and ill patients from the Commonwealth and beyond. It also is the home of the state’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, a Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for the tiniest and sickest newborns and the region’s only Level 1 trauma center.
As an academic research institution, we are continuously pursuing the next generation of cures, treatments, protocols and policies. Our discoveries have the potential to change what’s medically possible within our lifetimes. Our educators and thought leaders are transforming the healthcare landscape as our six health professions colleges teach the next generation of doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, spreading the highest standards of care. UK HealthCare is the power of advanced medicine committed to creating a healthier Kentucky, now and for generations to come.