The Christ Hospital Health Network Named the Tristate’s Only Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center

CINCINNATI (September 8, 2026) – The Christ Hospital Health Network has been recognized with the Mitral Foundation’s Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award, making it the only recognized center in the Tristate. The designation recognizes superior clinical outcomes and an ongoing commitment to measuring and reporting quality in mitral valve repair.

Mitral valve repair is one of the most challenging heart operations, but the results for patients with degenerative mitral valve disease can be outstanding, with improved survival and fewer long-term complications. The award was developed to identify, recognize and promote U.S. medical centers that demonstrate adherence to evidence-based treatment guidelines as well as an ongoing commitment to reporting and measuring quality and outcome metrics specific to mitral valve repairs.

“This recognition comes from decades of surgical excellence from our entire heart team at The Christ Hospital Health Network,” said Dean Kereiakes, MD, Chairman of The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute. “Patients know The Christ Hospital is Greater Cincinnati’s Heart Hospital and a regional destination for the highest quality of care for some of the most complex heart surgeries. We are proud to be recognized as the Tristate’s only Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center and among a select group of recognized centers nationwide.”

For many patients with degenerative mitral valve disease, clinical guidelines recommend mitral valve repair rather than replacement when a successful and durable repair is possible. Repair is associated with improved survival and fewer long-term complications. Many patients who would benefit from repair receive replacement valves, with higher rates of death or complications within five years after surgery. 

“Choosing the right hospital for heart surgery is one of the most important health care decisions a patient can make,” said J. Michael Smith, MD, President of The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute. “The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award identifies hospitals with excellent processes and outcomes and gives patients and cardiologists the information necessary to make these important decisions.”

For more information about The Mitral Valve Repair Reference Center Award, click here.

About The Christ Hospital Health Network
The Christ Hospital Health Network consists of an acute care hospital located in Mt. Auburn, a remote hospital location in Liberty Township, five ambulatory outpatient centers and dozens of medical offices throughout the region. For 137 years, The Christ Hospital has provided compassionate care to those it serves. Made up of more than 1,300 physicians and more than 7,600 team members, our mission is to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional outcomes in an affordable way. The Network was recognized by U.S. News & World Report as the #3 hospital in Ohio and named to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals list in 2026.

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