Since its founding in 1986, the Sarver Heart Center has united scientists and clinicians to educate, explore, and advance the knowledge of cardiovascular medicine. Our collective endeavors have allowed the University of Arizona to be at the forefront of cardiovascular medicine, scientific discovery, and education. As early leaders in the field, our clinicians and researchers have contributed to many important scientific breakthroughs in cardiovascular medicine. We continue to provide world-class education to the next generation of doctors, and our researchers shape the field of cardiology with scientific contributions that inform our ever-evolving "bench-to-bedside" approach. I am proud to serve as the interim Director, and I welcome you.
A History of Innovation:
The founding of chest-compression-only (CCO) CPR by Sarver Heart Center researchers in 2003, as well as the vast research and evidence supporting its efficacy, has reshaped and advanced both cardiac medicine and public health. Clinicians, first responders, and layperson rescuers have seen vastly improved survival outcomes for patients receiving CCO CPR compared to traditional CPR using rescue breaths. The value of this highly accessible, lifesaving intervention cannot be overstated and will continue to fortify public health for generations to come.
In 2006, the Sarver Heart Center Molecular Cardiovascular Research Program (MCRP) was launched to facilitate basic scientists studying the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiovascular disease with the goal of developing new preventive and therapeutic techniques. With an approach informed by genomics, imaging, modeling, advanced cell and molecular biology and biophysics, and access to a richly diverse human biorepository, the Sarver Heart Center MCRP continues to be a champion of breakthroughs in cardiovascular medicine.
Looking Ahead:
Continuing the legacy of innovations set forth by its founding members, Sarver Heart Center researchers and clinicians today are forerunners in emerging fields, including precision medicine, induced pluripotent stem cell therapy, and cardiomyocyte research. Sarver labs contribute to new technologies that are shifting the course of cardiovascular medicine, helping to increase survival rates and improve the quality of life for patients receiving treatment for cardiovascular disease. The Center's close ties with the Tucson community, leaders in the academic and medical fields, and key philanthropic organizations support continued discoveries through annual Investigator Awards that fuel ongoing innovation. As a leader in the scientific community, the Sarver Heart Center and all its members strive to provide the highest-quality, cutting-edge patient care to move toward a future free of heart disease and stroke, the leading causes of death in the United States.