Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center Becomes First Hospital in New Jersey to Earn Pulmonary Hypertension Program Accreditation

Regional Clinical Program designation recognizes center meeting or exceeding national care standards

December 15, 2024

The Pulmonary Hypertension Program at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center is the first in New Jersey to receive accreditation as a Regional Clinical Program from the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. This prestigious acknowledgment signifies the program’s commitment to meeting rigorous national standards for delivering evidence-based, high-quality patient care.

“This accreditation lets patients and referring physicians know that when they choose Hackensack University Medical Center for pulmonary hypertension diagnosis and treatment, they are receiving best-in-class care—with outcomes and standards that meet or exceed national benchmarks—from an experienced team,” said Mark D. Sparta, FACHE, president, North Region, Hackensack Meridian Health.

Under the leadership of Dr. Bernard Kim, an Advanced Heart Failure Cardiologist, and Tina Vacante, Advanced Practice Nurse and Pulmonary Hypertension Coordinator, the program provides specialized care for patients who have pulmonary hypertension, a condition often misdiagnosed due to its similarity of symptoms of other heart-related illnesses including chest pain, shortness of breath, lightheadedness and heart failure.

“Achieving accreditation through the Pulmonary Hypertension Association has been a truly rewarding experience. We deliver high quality care in pulmonary hypertension which is a progressive disease if left untreated or undiagnosed. The goal of our pulmonary hypertension program is to improve patients' quality of life and achieve positive health outcomes,” Vacante said.

“As New Jersey’s #1-ranked adult hospital by U.S. News & World Report, we are proud to provide access to advanced, accredited subspecialty cardiac care—including care for pulmonary hypertension—close to where our patients live and work,” said Lisa Tank, M.D., FACP, MBA, acting president and chief hospital executive, Hackensack University Medical Center.

Although pulmonary hypertension has no cure, early and accurate diagnosis is crucial for helping patients manage symptoms, reduce mortality, and maintain the highest possible quality of life.

“We are seeing an increase in referrals as awareness grows. Our team is among the most experienced in New Jersey in caring for patients with this complex condition, and we collaborate closely with other specialists to provide comprehensive and collaborative care,” said Dr. Kim.

Learn more about innovative heart and vascular care at Hackensack University Medical Center.