St. Joseph’s Health CVI Celebrates 1,000th WATCHMAN™ Procedure, Strengthening Its Role as CNY’s Premier Heart Hospital

SYRACUSE, N.Y.— St. Joseph’s Health has reached a major milestone, proudly completing its 1,000th WATCHMAN™ procedure, reinforcing its reputation as the heart hospital of the region and a leader in advanced cardiac care. 

The procedure was performed by Dr. Ali Al-Mudamgha, MD, a board certified Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiologist at St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute. This accomplishment reflects the hospital’s ongoing commitment to providing cutting edge, minimally invasive treatments that improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib).

The WATCHMAN™ procedure is an implant designed to reduce stroke risk in people with AFib. It works by sealing off the heart’s left atrial appendage—the area where most AFib‑related clots form—so blood can no longer pool there. This provides an effective alternative for many patients who cannot remain on long‑term blood thinners or who face bleeding risks. Over time, heart tissue grows over the device, creating a permanent barrier that helps protect against stroke.

“This milestone could not have been achieved without the incredible EP team and the unwavering support from the hospital,” said Dr. Al‑Mudamgha. “Every successful procedure reflects the skill, dedication, and compassion of a multidisciplinary group that shows up every day committed to improving patients’ lives. I am deeply proud of what we have accomplished together, and this 1,000th WATCHMAN procedure represents not only a clinical milestone, but a shared commitment to excellence in heart care.”

The Cardiovascular Institute began offering the WATCHMAN™ procedure in 2018, making it one of the earliest adopters of this therapy in the region. From the very first case, the program was led by Katherine Everett, NP, Structural Heart Coordinator, whose vision and commitment established the foundation for what has grown into one of Central New York’s highest‑volume and most experienced WATCHMAN™ programs. 

“I’m so happy to see a program grow and offer an opportunity for patients to take control of their health and make the right, informed decisions with their providers,” Everett said. “It’s refreshing that patients have the ability to advocate for themselves and seek a treatment that can potentially improve their lives.”

St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute’s cardiac catheterization laboratory performs the region’s highest volume of emergent and non-urgent coronary interventions and delivers WATCHMAN™ procedures with excellent outcomes. Its structural heart and electrophysiology teams work seamlessly to provide minimally invasive treatments for complex conditions, supported by advanced imaging and technology that enhance safety and precision. Beyond WATCHMAN™, the cath lab offers a comprehensive range of structural heart and arrhythmia procedures, giving patients access to top-tier, cutting‑edge care close to home. This expertise and consistent results reinforce St. Joseph’s Health as the leading destination for cardiovascular care in Central New York.

“Our highly skilled team is consistently recognized by New York State for achieving some of the best patient outcomes year after year,” said Ziad El‑Khally, MD, Medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. “We have long been pioneers in the field of structural heart disease—leading the way as the first in the region to perform transcatheter aortic and mitral valve replacement and repair, with outstanding results. Today, our program continues to reach new milestones. From our high-volume, high-quality mechanical support for patients with acute heart failure to our exceptional Watchman outcomes, this 1,000‑procedure achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to innovation, safety, and world-class patient care.”

As the regional cardiovascular leader, St. Joseph’s is hosting its 3^rd annual Cardiovascular Institute Symposium for health care providers on May 16. Topics include:

• The latest minimally invasive transcatheter therapies for aortic and mitral valve disease
• The role of advanced cardiac imaging and echocardiography in diagnosis, procedural planning, and follow-up care
• Multidisciplinary decision-making strategies that support safe, effective, patient-centered treatment

For more information, visit our website.

About St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute

St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute is the region’s leading center for advanced heart and vascular care, delivering exceptional outcomes through clinical expertise, innovation, and a deeply patient‑centered approach. As the region’s foremost heart hospital, St. Joseph’s provides a full continuum of cardiovascular services—including preventive care, advanced diagnostics, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, structural heart therapies, cardiothoracic surgery, and comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation—all supported by a team of exceptional specialists.

With some of the highest procedural volumes in the region and a long-standing commitment to adopting the latest technologies, St. Joseph’s Health consistently elevates the standard of care for patients with complex cardiac conditions. Its state‑of‑the‑art cardiac catheterization lab, hybrid operating suites, and robust structural heart and electrophysiology programs ensure patients receive cutting‑edge, minimally invasive treatment options close to home.

Recognized for excellence in quality, safety, and patient experience, the Cardiovascular Institute combines clinical leadership with compassionate, personalized care. From routine heart evaluations to the most advanced life‑saving interventions, St. Joseph’s Health Cardiovascular Institute continues to set the standard as Central New York’s premier destination for cardiac care.

About St. Joseph’s Health
St. Joseph’s Health, a non-profit health care system in Syracuse, New York, has been a trailblazer in the field since 1869 when it became the city’s first public hospital. Its commitment to exceptional care is evident in a network of acute, ambulatory, primary and specialty care services and partner care facilities providing a range of services to promote long-term health in the communities we serve. St. Joseph’s has been ranked by Consumer Reports among the top 15 heart surgery centers in the country, is a designated Primary Stroke Center, and is consistently named a Best Regional Hospital and #1 in the Syracuse Metro area by US News and World Report. St. Joseph’s Health is dedicated to excellence, innovation and compassionate patient care. From pioneering ambulance services in Syracuse to being the first in Central New York to use DaVinci robotic surgery technology in an outpatient facility, 
St. Joseph’s legacy of firsts demonstrates its ongoing commitment to leading medical advancements. Affiliated with St. Joseph’s Physicians and a member of Trinity Health, 
St. Joseph’s Health is your trusted partner in health, combining a rich history with a forward-thinking approach to ensure the health and well-being of our communities.

About Trinity Health

Trinity Health is one of the largest not-for-profit, Catholic health care systems in the nation. It is a family of 121,000 colleagues and nearly 36,500 physicians and clinicians caring for diverse communities across 27 states. Nationally recognized for care and experience, the Trinity Health system includes 101 hospitals, 126 continuing care locations, the second largest PACE program in the country, 136 urgent care locations and many other health and well-being services. Based in Livonia, Michigan, its annual operating revenue in FY2023 was $21.6 billion with $1.5 billion returned to its communities in the form of charity care and other community benefit programs.

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