For residents of Arizona’s fast-growing East Valley, a major cardiac procedure no longer requires a long drive across the metro area. HonorHealth’s completion of its first open-heart surgery at Four Peaks Medical Center marks a turning point in how—and where—specialized heart care is delivered in the region.
Dr. Kevin Brady, director of cardiovascular surgery, HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center
HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center cardiothoracic surgeons
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HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center
HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center performs its first open-heart surgery, bringing specialized heart care closer to home for East Valley residents.
MESA, AZ, UNITED STATES, November 4, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — HonorHealth, a leading Valley-based nonprofit healthcare system, has achieved a significant expansion of cardiovascular care in the East Valley by successfully completing its first open-heart surgery at HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center.
That initial procedure officially activates open-heart surgery services at the facility, improving access to advanced cardiac treatment for residents who previously might have had to travel farther for such care. The achievement came after months of meticulous planning, preparation and cross-system collaboration among numerous HonorHealth departments and specialists.
“As the East Valley continues to grow, so does the need for advanced cardiovascular care,” said Robert Riley, MD, chief of cardiovascular surgery and physician lead for HonorHealth Medical Group cardiovascular services, HonorHealth Heart Care. “Bringing open-heart surgery to Four Peaks Medical Center means more patients can access specialized care in their own community, backed by the expertise of our entire HonorHealth Heart Care team.”
Patients undergoing heart surgery at Four Peaks will be supported by a coordinated, multidisciplinary model that integrates cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nurses, rehabilitation specialists and other care providers from across the HonorHealth Heart Care network. This collaborative structure is designed to deliver personalized treatment and guide patients from their initial diagnosis all the way through post-operative recovery.
“Establishing an open-heart surgery program requires more than surgical expertise,” said Kevin Brady, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon with HonorHealth Heart Care and director of cardiovascular surgery, HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center. “It takes extensive planning, specialized resources and rigorous preparation to ensure every aspect of patient care is carefully coordinated. Completing our first case at Four Peaks is an important milestone and reflects the experience and dedication that went into bringing this program to life.”
The new program is staffed by HonorHealth’s seasoned cardiothoracic surgery team, which includes Drs. Brady, Riley, Daniel Eads, Charles Wojnarski and Zain Khalpey. The inaugural open-heart procedure was conducted in November 2026 by Drs. Brady and Riley.
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About HonorHealth
HonorHealth is one of Arizona’s largest nonprofit healthcare systems, serving a population of five million people in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. The comprehensive network encompasses nine acute-care hospitals, an extensive medical group with primary, specialty and urgent care services, a cancer care network, outpatient surgery centers, clinical research, medical education, a foundation, an accountable care organization, community services and more. With more than 17,000 team members, 4,000+ affiliated providers and over 1,300 volunteers, HonorHealth seamlessly blends collaborative care and approachable expertise to improve health and well-being. People often say care feels different here — because it does. Learn more at HonorHealth.com.
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Why it matters: This milestone signals a strategic shift in how regional healthcare systems are decentralizing complex services to meet population growth. For East Valley patients, the availability of on-site open-heart surgery reduces travel burdens and shortens critical care timelines, a benefit that will only grow as the area continues to expand.
