Salisbury, MD– TidalHealth Peninsula Regional is proud to announce that it has successfully performed more than 500 WATCHMAN procedures, marking a significant milestone in the hospital’s ongoing commitment to providing advanced, life-improving, life-saving cardiovascular care dating back to 1972.
Additionally, its Guerrieri Heart & Vascular Institute team has become the leader among all hospitals in Maryland for the number of WATCHMAN procedures performed, topping 180 in 2024.
These groundbreaking achievements underscore the Salisbury hospital’s commitment to providing cutting-edge, life-saving treatments for patients suffering from atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder that significantly increases the risk of stroke.
“Reaching 500 WATCHMAN procedures and leading the State of Maryland is a testament to the exceptional skill and dedication of our cardiovascular team and the support from senior executive leadership,” said Steven Hearne, MD, cardiologist, the first to perform WATCHMAN at TidalHealth and a champion to bring the service to the Salisbury hospital. “These milestones not only reflect the growing need for this procedure in our community but also underscore the trust that our patients place in TidalHealth for innovative and effective treatment options.”
The WATCHMAN is a minimally invasive procedure designed to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with AFib who are unable to take blood thinners. By implanting a small device that closes off the left atrial appendage (LAA), the source of many stroke-causing blood clots, the procedure significantly lowers the likelihood of stroke while allowing patients to stop using blood-thinning medications, offering improved safety and quality of life.
TidalHealth is the only tertiary hospital on the Eastern Shore of Maryland providing WATCHMAN, first offering the procedure in 2016. Last year, it outpaced by 80 the number of WATCHMAN procedures performed by its closest peer heart hospital in Maryland. Currently, only eight hospitals offer patients the revolutionary procedure.
TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s multidisciplinary team, including interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, nurses, cardiovascular and radiology technologists, work together to ensure each patient receives personalized care and the best possible outcomes.
“Our goal is to provide patients with safe, effective treatments that improve their health and quality of life,” said Jeanne Ruff, Senior Executive Director of the Guerrieri Heart & Vascular Institute. “Being at the forefront of this innovative procedure speaks to TidalHealth’s ongoing commitment to providing the highest level of care for our patients. The WATCHMAN device offers a transformative option for those with AFib, and we are honored to be leading the way in Maryland.”
As TidalHealth Peninsula Regional and its Guerrieri Heart & Vascular Institute continue to lead the way in cardiovascular care, it remains committed to expanding access to innovative treatments and improving the lives of its patients by providing a wide range of services—from preventive care to complex heart procedures and ongoing cardiovascular rehabilitation, pulmonary rehabilitation and adult fitness —ensuring comprehensive care for all.
For more information about TidalHealth Peninsula Regional’s cardiovascular services or to learn more about the WATCHMAN procedure, please visit peninsula.org or call 410-543-7769.
