Mission Hospital celebrates 10-year anniversary of life-saving LVAD program

Asheville, N.C. — HCA Healthcare's Mission Hospital proudly marks the 10th anniversary of its Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) program, a milestone that celebrates not only a decade of advanced heart care, but the lives and futures of patients the program has helped restore.

Since the program’s inception in 2015, Mission Hospital has implanted 155 LVADs, including its 100th implant in 2022. Each one represents a story of resilience, innovation, and exceptional care delivered close to home in Western North Carolina.

One such story is that of John Cobb, a concert pianist who received his LVAD at Mission Hospital in late 2016. The LVAD device — a mechanical pump that supports heart function and blood flow in patients with weakened hearts — gave John a second chance.

“You've given us more than hope, you've given us a future,” said Gwen Roberts, John Cobb’s wife. “He’s been here for almost 9 extra years — that’s 9 birthdays, 9 anniversaries, 9 holidays and concerts. He’s a concert pianist and can still do it — and we couldn’t be more grateful to all of you,” Gwen said during the Mission Hospital celebration.

LVADs are used for patients with end-stage heart failure who are no longer responding to traditional medical therapy. They can serve as a bridge to heart transplant or, in some cases, as long-term therapy. LVADs are complex, requiring not just advanced surgical skill but an integrated team of cardiologists, nurses, technicians, and support staff to ensure ongoing, life-sustaining care.

Mission Hospital is grateful to our patients for allowing us to help them with their heart condition and for trusting us with their care. The team at Mission Hospital is the heartbeat of this program and their hearts live in this work, making sure every patient is seen, heard, and deeply cared for.

Patients who receive LVADs at Mission are more than recipients of high-level care — they become part of the extended Mission family. The program is a testament to the courage, strength, and resilience of those fighting heart failure, and the dedication of those who walk beside them on that journey.

Having a program of this caliber in Asheville means that families in Western North Carolina don’t have to travel far from home to access life-saving care. That local connection — especially in urgent situations — can make all the difference.

As Mission Hospital celebrates 10 years of its LVAD program, it also looks ahead to new advancements and more lives saved.