Norton Healthcare has the only accredited pulmonary hypertension Center of Comprehensive Care in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. Learn how this ensures high-quality care and improved outcomes.
The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) has reaccredited Norton Healthcare’s growing program as a Center of Comprehensive Care, recognizing its ability to best manage the condition.
Norton Pulmonary Specialists’ pulmonary hypertension program, led by John W. McConnell, M.D., is the only one in Kentucky or Southern Indiana to receive the prestigious accreditation. The accreditation specifically cites the work at Norton Pulmonary Specialists on West Market Street in downtown Louisville and at Norton Audubon Hospital.
Norton Pulmonary Specialists was among the first six practices nationally to be accredited when PHA started the program in 2014. The practice has been reaccredited three times since then.
In recognizing the program, PHA said the program is equipped to “improve overall quality of care and ultimately improve outcomes of patients with pulmonary hypertension, particularly pulmonary arterial hypertension, a rare and life-threatening group of diseases.” The accreditation is valid through 2027.
PHA also cited the program’s growth with the recent addition of Samuel H. Friedman, M.D., and robust clinical trials portfolio. PHA noted that clinical trials contribute to advancing research in pulmonary hypertension and provide patients with access to leading-edge treatments and therapies.
Refer a patient
To refer a patient to Norton Pulmonary Specialists, visit NortonEpicCareLink.com and open an order for Adult Pulmonology.
Norton Pulmonary Specialists and other leading pulmonary hypertension centers conducted Phase 3 clinical trials of sotatercept, which was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last year.
Sotatercept, sold under the brand name Winrevair, is a new class of therapy that has been shown to increase exercise capacity, reduce symptoms that affect day-to-day activities and lower the risk of a pulmonary arterial hypertension clinical worsening event.
Sotatercept FDA approval came after the regulator designated it as a “breakthrough” therapy potentially superior to current treatments for a life-threatening condition. The designation qualified the drug for an expedited review process.
Dr. McConnell was the principal investigator locally on the sotatercept trial and continues to lead follow-up studies.
