Wheeling Intelligencer/News-Register: 'WVU Medicine an Asset for State'

An editorial in a recent edition of the Wheeling Intelligencer/News-Register describes WVU Medicine as a key resource for the state and its people.

It mentions a fully robotic aortic valve replacement procedure, which was performed at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital recenty. The procedure has been performed only nine times and the operation in Morgantown was the first in the northeastern United States. The article is below:

"Among aces-in-the-hole we West Virginians possess in terms of both economic development and quality of life is West Virginia University Medicine, which includes numerous health care programs. Just last week, the WVU Heart and Vascular Insititute revealed a fully robotic aortic valve replacement was performed at the facility in Morgantown.

"The procedure has been performed only nine times. The operation in Morgantown was the first in the northeastern United States.

"Doctors explain the procedure allows patients to avoid more invasive surgery and may permit quicker recovery.

"Health care advances at WVU Medicine are announced regularly — meaning we West Virginians are in the forefront of important advances. That is good for Mountain State residents now, and may well be one of the keys to economic development."