Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix and the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix are working together to improve care for patients with heart failure, a condition affecting more than 6 million people in the United States. Their partnership is based on an academic affiliation agreement that focuses on education, retention of clinicians, and advancing treatment options in Arizona.
“Our approach is about treating the full spectrum of heart failure,” said Radha Gopalan, MD, director of the Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Program at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix. “We focus on continuity — from early diagnosis to transplant, mechanical circulatory support and beyond.”
The Cardiomyopathy and Recovery Clinic, led by Ambar Andrade, MD, plays a significant role in this approach. The clinic specializes in diagnosing rare conditions such as cardiac sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Dr. Andrade stated: “Many patients come to us with unexplained symptoms or prior misdiagnoses. We take the time to determine exactly what kind of cardiomyopathy they have. That allows us to match the right treatment and often delay or even prevent progression to transplant.”
Roderick Tung, MD, chief of cardiology at the U of A College of Medicine – Phoenix and director of Cardiovascular Clinical Research at Banner – University Medical Center Phoenix, emphasized the importance of prevention and early identification: “The goal is to create upstream clinics based on centers of excellence that can either prevent the next transplant or identify candidates earlier.”
For those whose illness advances despite early interventions, life-extending therapies are available through Banner’s Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Program. This program includes specialists such as transplant cardiologists Marc Silver, MD; Anusha Sunkara, MD; Jamal Mahar, MD; Gabrielle Rubin, DO; surgical partners from Phoenix Cardiac Surgery; and leadership from Francisco Arabia, MD.
Dr. Tung noted recent progress in medical therapy for heart failure: “Recovery should be achievable for many patients with early-stage heart failure as medical therapy has made significant advances. All patients with heart failure should be on four essential medications, and specialists are often best equipped to initiate and titrate these therapies beyond what general cardiologists typically provide. The evidence shows that most patients who qualify for these therapies don’t receive them. Furthermore, integrating specialties within a heart institute allows for rapid identification of patients who may benefit from electrical therapies — with electrophysiology services next door.”
Dr. Gopalan added: “We intentionally designed our program around true collaboration between cardiologists, surgeons and intensivists. That integration directly improves outcomes.”
In 2024 alone:
– Forty-one heart transplants were performed.
– Twelve left ventricular assist device implants were completed.
– Ten total artificial heart implants took place.
“These numbers reflect our commitment to meeting the most urgent needs of patients across Arizona,” said Sarah Matushinec, RN.
Research is also a priority for the team as they participate in national clinical trials and train other institutions in advanced techniques.
“We’re building a reputation as a center that not only delivers excellent care but also helps define the future of treatment,” Dr. Andrade said. “That includes participating in research and training the next generation of physicians.”
Education is integral throughout their programs; students rotate through every stage from outpatient visits to recovery after procedures.
“For learners, it’s transformational,” Dr. Andrade said. “They see firsthand how early diagnosis, team-based care and leading-edge therapies can save lives. It often inspires them to pursue heart failure as a career.”
Access remains an important mission for both organizations.
“Our patients don’t have to leave Arizona to receive the best possible heart failure treatment,” Dr. Gopalan said. “We’re bringing top-tier care to the community, and we’re just getting started.”
Plans are underway for establishing a research institute focused on organ regeneration.
“Our long-term vision is to go beyond treatment,” Dr. Gopalan said. “We want to regenerate heart tissue, extend recovery pathways and eliminate the need for transplant altogether.”
