Expanding Advanced Cardiac Care in Westchester
White Plains Hospital is a recognized leader in advanced cardiac care, providing patients with access to the most complex procedures right in the heart of Westchester. The Hospital first performed cardiac surgery in 2021 under the leadership of Dr. Robert Michler, and in just five years, the program has expanded to include a Structural Heart Program under the leadership of Dr. Azeem Latib, which performs complex, minimally invasive procedures such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). In addition, White Plains Hospital has quickly developed its worldclass Electrophysiology and Interventional Cardiology programs, led by Drs. Daniel Wang and Judah Rauch, to become a regional destination for care for patients with heart disease and atrial fibrillation (aFib).
Launching a Comprehensive Heart Failure Program
Now, a new heart failure program further bolsters the Hospital’s growing capabilities, providing comprehensive treatment for patients facing heart failure a disease for which there is no cure where the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. Thanks to the arrival of Dr. Regina Lief, an advanced heart failure and transplant cardiologist, patients living with heart failure can access convenient, specialized care on the seventh floor of the Center for Advanced Medicine & Surgery (CAMS) at White Plains Hospital.
“I’m very excited to build the heart failure department here with the support of Montefiore and the team at White Plains Hospital,” says Dr. Lief.
As a native New Yorker, she looks forward to caring for members of her community while bringing expertise in managing complex cardiomyopathies, cardiogenic shock, and mechanical circulatory support even closer to home. In more severe cases, mechanical support devices or heart transplants may be required in coordination with Montefiore.
Partnering with Montefiore for Advanced Heart Failure Care
This expanded access marks a significant step forward in how heart failure is diagnosed, managed, and
treated in the region. The initial heart pump implant and heart transplant surgeries are performed at the Montefiore Moses Campus—ranked number one in the nation in one-year heart transplant survival* —where patients are managed by Montefiore’s heart failure team, of which Dr. Lief remains an active member. Dr. Lief’s team at White Plains Hospital plays a critical role in identifying and preparing
patients who are most suitable for transplant.
“When patients have heart failure, vital organs such as liver and kidneys are often not getting the blood flow that they need to perform their function. This can lead to organ failure rendering patients ineligible for advanced therapies,” she explains. “That’s why timely referrals are so important.”
After patients undergo heart transplants, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation, or other complex cardiac surgeries at Montefiore Moses, Dr. Lief and her team provide ongoing local care at White Plains Hospital, ensuring continuity and close monitoring.
Together, White Plains Hospital and Montefiore continue a long tradition of advancing cardiac care through
innovation, collaboration, and clinical excellence built on Montefiore’s 65-year legacy in cardiovascular medicine.
*The ranking is by the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR.org)