News Releases

Open Heart Surgery Now Available at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands

The Woodlands, Texas – A significant investment in advanced technology and an expanded relationship with the esteemed department of cardiothoracic and vascular surgery at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston are cornerstones of the new open-heart surgery program launched at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands.

The first open-heart at the facility was performed Jan. 11.

Donald E. Roberts chats with his physicians while recovering from open-heart surgery at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. Pictured (L-R) are: Roberts; Bernardo de la Guardia, MD, FACC, medical director for cardiovascular services at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands; anesthesiologist Daksha Shah, MD; and cardiovascular surgeon Riad Meada, MD

“We are expanding our range of high-quality offerings to better serve the community,” said Steve Sanders, CEO of Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. “This was a carefully considered process that took years of planning, construction and preparation. We took the time to recruit top physicians and build a highly skilled team while providing them with a specialized environment, equipped with the latest technology.”

To accommodate expanded heart and neurosurgery services, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands has opened a new patient care unit with 36-private rooms, bringing the hospital’s total to 216. New facilities include two operating rooms dedicated to heart and vascular surgery, a surgical intensive care unit and a second cardiac catheterization lab with electrophysiology capabilities. In addition to cardiac catheterization and an open-heart surgery program, the hospital now offers cardiac rehabilitation services and diabetes education, as well, since diabetics often experience heart and vascular problems.

“Through this relationship, we’re proud to be the only hospital bringing the expertise of The University of Texas Medical School at Houston to our community,” says Diane McNamee, director of surgical services for Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. “Patients have the option to be treated by exceptional surgeons at a hospital that provides family-centered care close to home.”
Cardiologist Bernardo de la Guardia, M.D., has been named medical director of cardiovascular services, while cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Riad Meada, M.D., and cardiologist/electrophysiologist Ramesh Hariharan, M.D., perform vital roles in the hospital’s expanded heart services program. Dr. Meada, an assistant professor in UT’s cardiovascular and thoracic surgery department, brings his skill at open heart surgery to Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. Hariharan provides electrophysiology expertise to the facility’s cardiac catheterization labs.

“Our open-heart team — as well as the equipment and facilities dedicated to the program — are outstanding,” says Dr. Meada. “I’m proud to be part of such a great team.”

Dr. de la Guardia previously served as research coordinator in the department of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Houston’s Ben Taub General Hospital. He has practiced cardiology for 12 years at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands as well as other area facilities.

Dr. Meada completed residencies and fellowships at several prestigious American institutions, including the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in Camden, N.J., and St. Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center in New York, N.Y. He also served as a clinical instructor of cardiothoracic surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Hariharan completed several residencies and fellowships in cardiology and electrophysiology. He has studied and taught at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Baylor College of Medicine and St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital. Prior to his arrival at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands, he served as director of primary care at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston.

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