Written By: Adam Pick, Patient Advocate, Author & Website Founder
Published: May 29, 2024
Woo-Hoo!!! Amazing!!! Wonderful!!!
I am beyond excited to share that Dr. Patrick McCarthy, the Executive Director of the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine, just received his 200th patient testimonial at HeartValveSurgery.com.
Patients Ignite My Interest in Dr. McCarthy
I’ll never forget when I first met Dr. McCarthy in 2011 at The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Meeting in San Diego, California. We sat down for a coffee. He said, “I really appreciate what you’re doing. Educating patients is really important. In fact, I thought about launching a patient education website a few years back. I’m glad you’re doing this to help patients. Good for you! And, good for the patients!”
While that was our first meeting, it wasn’t the first time I heard the name… Dr. Patrick McCarthy.
I initially heard the name, Dr. Patrick McCarthy, in 2009 immediately after launching the Surgeon Finder at HeartValveSurgery.com. I sent out an email to our patient community asking if anybody would like to submit a patient review for their surgeon.
The rest, as they say, is history.
The initial patient testimonials for Dr. McCarthy echoed praise, thankfulness and appreciation for Dr. McCarthy’s stellar outcomes, his commitment to valvular therapy, his kindness, and positive comments for the entire Northwestern Medicine team. For example, here are just a few of Dr. McCarthy’s patient reviews.
- Rita Hintz, an aortic valve replacement patient, posted, “I am able to live a normal, healthy life since my surgery. At age 73, I walk 4 miles a day, at least 5 days per week, and attend chair yoga and balance class once a week. I swim recreationally. Thank you to Dr. McCarthy and his team.”
- Edward Clinton, a mitral valve and Maze procedure patient, says, “As I have said, I thank Dr. McCarthy and his excellent staff and colleagues for their work. Every part of the process was monitored and, for me, the results were life changing.”
- Inge Sedey, a mitral and tricuspid patient, says, “My heart surgery saved my life. I consider it a miracle! Thank you, Dr. McCarthy.”
- Kathleen Lally, an aortic valve replacement patient, says, “I am still eternally grateful to Dr. McCarthy and his awesome team who did my first valve replacement in 2011!!! Such dedication and care I will never forget!”
I would later learn that… Within medical circles, Dr. McCarthy was often referred to as a “Heart Valve Guru” and a “Titan of the Industry” having trained at Mayo Clinic and Stanford before starting his practice at the Cleveland Clinic. In 2004, Dr. McCarthy would launch and lead the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine on an extraordinary run up the US News & Worlds Report for cardiology and heart surgery programs (see below).
Dr. McCarthy’s Patient-Centric Leadership Gets Big Time Recognition
Throughout his career, Dr. McCarthy and his team at Northwestern Medicine has conjured countless innovations within the field of heart valve disease. From extensive clinical trial research, to new medical devices, to launching the first Bicuspid Aortic Valve Disease Program, to helping patients best manage their mindset before-and-after surgery via the Cardiac Behavioral Medicine Service at Northwestern Medicine, Dr. McCarthy has taken patient-centricity to the next level.
For these reasons and much more, the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine, is now recognized as a national leader in cardiac care. For example, when Dr. McCarthy launched the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute, the cardiac center was not ranked by US News and World Reports. Today, the Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute at Northwestern Medicine is ranked No. 7 for cardiology, heart and vascular surgery. In Illinois, BCVI has been ranked No. 1 for 16 straight years.
In addition, Dr. McCarthy’s leadership at Northwestern Medicine has yielded a waterfall of accolades including:
- Top 20 Hospitals in the World for Cardiac Surgery by (NewsWeek, 2023)
- #1 Patient Preferred Hospital in Illinois for Heart Care (NRC Health, 2024)
- $72 million in cardiac and vascular funding awarded (2020-2023)
- Over 2,300 cardiac and vascular manuscripts published (2020-2023)
Many, Many, Many Thanks Dr. McCarthy!
On behalf of his patients, the patients at HeartValveSurgery.com, and patients all over the world, I would like to extend a tremendous “Thank You!” to Dr. McCarthy for being such a wonderful member of our community.
I’m not sure where HeartValveSurgery.com would be without the support of Dr. McCarthy and the Northwestern Medicine team. Thankfully, I will never have to find out. Dr. McCarthy has believed in our mission and supported us in ways that are downright extraordinary.
Congratulations on your 200th patient testimonial Dr. McCarthy!
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Keep on tickin’ Dr. McCarthy!
Adam
