Mississippi Heart and Vascular Institute Celebrates 50 Years

October 10, 2024

JACKSON, Miss. – The Mississippi Heart and Vascular Institute (MHVI), a partnership between St. Dominic Hospital and Jackson Heart Clinic kicked off its 50th Anniversary Celebration on October 3, 2024. This special event honored the visionaries who founded MHVI and the dedication of the physicians, nurses, and staff who continue to uphold its legacy.

The evening also included live music provided by MHVI patient Wayne Bailey, a father, grandfather, and very active retiree who loves playing golf and tennis.

"I'm thankful to be here tonight to celebrate the people who saved my heart and my life," said Bailey. "Because of the care I received, I’m back to playing my favorite sports, singing and playing guitar, and spending time with my family."

The event highlighted MHVI's founding and partnership with Jackson Heart Clinic, which has been key to advancing heart care in Mississippi.

"What makes MHVI so special is that it's a unique collaboration of expertise," said Jeremy Tinnerello, market president, St. Dominic Hospital. "It's not typical to see a hospital, employed physicians and independent physicians out in the community all coming together to improve programs and patient care. And that's exactly what MHVI does."

For five decades, MHVI has been a leader in cardiac care, from the opening of Mississippi’s first Coronary Care Unit to increasing access to heart catheterization and open-heart bypass surgery. While officially incorporated on October 30, 1974, MHVI truly began with a few brave individuals who planted roots in the 1960s that were nurtured by passion and a fearless commitment to bringing innovation and clinical excellence to the people of Mississippi.

"We see people from all over the state, whether it's the Delta, from Hattiesburg, from Vicksburg, Meridian and beyond," said Clay Hays, MD, second-generation cardiologist with MHVI. "These are places that we serve right here in central Mississippi, and we have the ability and the capability to take care of their needs close to home."

From its beginnings, MHVI has embraced life-saving innovations with the program’s first heart catheterization in late 1973 and first open-heart bypass surgery in 1974. MHVI continues to set the standard for cardiac, vascular and venous care in Central Mississippi and became the nation's first Center of Excellence for Complex Heart Procedures in 2023.

"This anniversary celebration is more than a look back at past accomplishments; it’s a chance to reaffirm our ongoing commitment to excellence in heart health," said Sister Dorothea Sondgeroth, OP, associate executive director, St. Dominic Health Services Foundation. "The next 50 years promise even more advancements, as MHVI embraces cutting-edge technologies to continue its mission of providing personalized and holistic care."

For more information on the Mississippi Heart and Vascular Insitute, visit www.stdom.com/heart.

A special video has been prepared to mark this milestone anniversary.

Click here for photos of the event and video interviews.