Mesa, Ariz. (November 4, 2026) – HonorHealth, a leading Valley-based nonprofit healthcare system, has reached a major milestone in expanding cardiovascular care in the East Valley, completing its first open-heart surgery at HonorHealth Four Peaks Medical Center.
The procedure marks the launch of open-heart surgery services at the medical center, giving East Valley residents greater access to specialized heart care closer to home. The milestone follows months of planning, preparation and collaboration among teams across the HonorHealth system.
"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 receiving heart surgery at Four Peaks will benefit from a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach that brings together cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nurses, rehabilitation specialists and other care team members across the HonorHealth Heart Care network. Together, these specialists work to provide personalized care and support patients from diagnosis through 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 program is supported by HonorHealth's experienced team of cardiothoracic surgeons, including Drs. Brady, Riley, Daniel Eads, Charles Wojnarski and Zain Khalpey. The first open-heart surgery was performed in November 2026 by Drs. Brady and Riley.
