St. Joseph’s Health Expands Access to Advanced Life-Saving Care in Central New York with Five New Medtronic VitalFlow ECMO Machines

 

SYRACUSE, N.Y.— St. Joseph’s Health announced the acquisition of five new Medtronic VitalFlow Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machines, marking a major advancement in regional life‑support capabilities and elevating the level of care available through its Cardiovascular Institute. The investment upgrades the organization’s three legacy ECMO devices to five of Medtronic’s newest‑generation units—an expansion that directly benefits the patients who rely on St. Joseph’s Health for the most complex heart and lung support.

 

ECMO is a life‑support treatment that temporarily takes over the work of the heart and lungs—circulating blood and adding oxygen—when a patient’s own organs cannot effectively function. St. Joseph’s Health performs more ECMO cases than any other hospital in Central New York.

 

“As a mission-driven organization, our responsibility is to meet the needs of our community with excellence, compassion, and the best tools available,” said Meredith Price, President of St. Joseph’s Health Hospital. “Upgrading to the most advanced ECMO technology reflects our values in action—ensuring that the people of Central New York have access to the highest level of life‑saving capabilities close to home.”

 

Upgrading to the VitalFlow ECMO platform represents a meaningful step forward for patients who rely on St. Joseph’s Health in their most critical moments. For people experiencing severe heart/lung failure, the ability to start ECMO more quickly—and manage it with greater precision—can directly translate into better outcomes. The new technology also offers more reliable care through advanced monitoring and simplified controls that help reduce delays or errors when time is scarce.

 

“The VitalFlow system is built for the environment where every second counts,” said Jeff Wilson, Chief Perfusionist at St. Joseph’s Health. “When a patient crashes, speed and coordination matter—and this platform allows our teams to initiate ECMO quickly, safely, and with greater precision. In plain terms, if you or a loved one needs ECMO, you want the most advanced, reliable system available. And now we have it here locally.”

 

He added that the system’s improved control, durability, and integrated monitoring strengthen care for both emergency situations and long‑duration ECMO support—further improving outcomes in what is already the region’s busiest ECMO program.

 

The expanded ECMO capability also demonstrates St. Joseph’s commitment to exceptional, patient‑centered care, especially during the most serious medical emergencies. Ultimately, this upgrade highlights St. Joseph’s ongoing drive for innovation—continually elevating the standard of cardiovascular care in Central New York and striving for the very best outcomes for every patient who comes through its doors.

 

“I’m proud of be part of a team that continues to lead, innovate, and elevate care,” Wilson said.