A Partnership for Healthy Hearts

Jewish Hospital Heart & Lung Institute

Jewish Hospital operates a premier cardiac program and brings its expertise to patients at Owensboro Medical Health System.  Jewish Hospital performs nearly 1,800 open-heart surgeries every year, well above the minimum standard of 200 set by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.  In addition, Jewish Hospital has 175 ongoing clinical research studies, providing patients with the latest in medical techniques and procedures. In conjunction with Laman Gray, M.D. , chairman of the board for University Cardiothoracic Associates, Jewish Hospital has pioneered a number of medical firsts, including the state’s first adult heart transplant and the world’s first and second surgeries to implant the AbioCor Implantable Artificial Heart. 

Expert Medical Leadership

One of the chief physicians guiding the OMHS program includes Dr. Laman Gray, director and professor of surgery in the division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University of Louisville.  Dr. Gray  serves as medical director for the OMHS program, reviewing cases and offering expert opinions.  He has pioneered a number of medical firsts, including the state’s first adult heart transplant and the world’s first and second surgeries to implant the AbioCor Implantable Artificial Heart.  

Top 50 Ranking

Jewish Hospital is also one of a few health care facilities included America ’s Top 50 Hospitals (as compiled by U.S. News & World Report).  This annual review included them as one of the best in heart care in 2005, 2006, and 2007 and respiratory care in 2006 and 2007. In order to be considered, hospitals had to meet at least one of three criteria: membership in the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems, affiliation with a medical school, or availability of a minimum of nine of 18 key technologies. Hospitals were assigned scores within each specialty area based on measures including their reputations among board-certified specialists; severity-adjusted mortality rates; and other factors, such as nurse-to-patient ratios and adoption of new technologies.