Jason Katz, MD, MHS, is an Assistant Professor in the UNC School of Medicine
Jason Katz, MD, MHS, Medical Director of the CICU and CTICU & Critical Care Service has been named as the Medical Director of the UNC Mechanical Heart Program.
Officially appointed in February 2014, Dr. Katz will join Surgical Director Brett Sheridan, MD, to lead the rapidly-growing Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program.
A VAD is a mechanical device implanted through open heart surgery to provide increased blood flow to heart failure patients, greatly improving their quality of life. The VAD devices may be used as a bridge to heart transplant, or as a destination therapy for patients who are not medically eligible for heart transplant.
Since Dr. Katz’s appointment as assistant professor in the UNC Division of Cardiology in 2009, the volume of patients receiving a VAD has tripled, going from 20 in 2009 to 60 in 2013.
Patricia Chang, MD, Director, Heart Failure and Transplant Program says, “As we all recognize, Jason’s dedication to UNC is manifested daily by his tireless care for the patients and by his multifaceted service to UNC: the hospital, the School of Medicine, the students, residents, fellows, and staff.”