1,000th TAVR Procedure Performed at Deaconess Heart Hospital
Tri-State — 76-year-old Dennis Rohleder of Jasper, Indiana, became the 1,000th patient to undergo a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure at the Deaconess Heart Hospital on May 27, 2026, marking a significant milestone for Deaconess Health System’s nationally recognized heart program.
TAVR is a minimally invasive treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis, a serious condition that narrows the heart’s aortic valve and can lead to irreversible heart failure if left untreated. Unlike traditional valve replacement surgery, which requires opening the chest and performing open-heart surgery, TAVR is typically performed through a small catheter inserted into a blood vessel in the groin and guided to the heart. The procedure results in shorter recovery times and less physical strain on patients.
Since launching the TAVR program in 2017, Deaconess has expanded access to advanced structural heart care throughout the region. The program’s growth has been driven by the leadership of interventional cardiologist Dr. Srikanth Penumetsa and cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Dominic Cefali and a dedicated multidisciplinary team.
The success of the TAVR program reflects the collaborative efforts of specialists across radiology, cardiac anesthesia, and cardiac rehabilitation, as well as the coordinators, nurses, support staff and administrators who help guide patients through every stage of care.
Rohleder’s experience highlights Deaconess’s commitment to providing advanced cardiovascular treatment close to home. While his procedure was performed at the Deaconess Heart Hospital in Newburgh, he can continue many aspects of his follow-up care closer to his home in Jasper, helping reduce travel while maintaining access to specialized expertise.
In June 2023, we celebrated our 500th TAVR procedure. Reaching 1,000 procedures just a few years later is an incredible accomplishment,” Dr. Penumetsa said. “This milestone reflects the trust our patients place in us, the dedication of our entire heart team, and our commitment to expanding access to advanced heart care throughout the region. We are proud of how far the program has come and excited about what the future holds.”
For more information about Deaconess Heart Group and structural heart services, visit www.deaconess.com/heart.
ABOUT DEACONESS HEALTH SYSTEM: Deaconess Health System is a premiere provider of health care services to a population of more than 1.5 million in southwestern Indiana, western Kentucky and southeastern Illinois. The system – based in Evansville, Indiana – includes 22 hospitals – among them Deaconess Midtown Hospital, Deaconess Gateway Hospital, The Women’s Hospital, Deaconess Henderson Hospital, Deaconess Memorial Medical Center and numerous other hospital affiliates. Deaconess Clinic, a fully integrated multispecialty group featuring primary care physicians as well as top specialty doctors, provides patients with consistent and convenient care. Additional components include the Linda E. White Hospice House, a freestanding cancer center, urgent care facilities, near-site clinics, telemedicine, virtual visits, a network of preferred hospitals and doctors and multiple partnerships with other regional health care providers.
