Mary Washington Healthcare Celebrates 18th Annual Virginia Heart & Vascular Symposium with Groundbreaking Insights and Collaboration

Fredericksburg, VA (March 4, 2026) – On Saturday, February 28, Mary Washington Healthcare’s (MWHC) Virginia Heart & Vascular (VHV) Symposium marked its 18th successful year, gathering more than 200 medical professionals at the Fredericksburg Convention Center. The event brought together cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, interventionalists, primary care and internal medicine physicians, residents, registered nurses, and allied health professionals from across the Fredericksburg region for a day of education, collaboration, and innovation in cardiovascular care.

This year’s symposium offered an accredited continuing education platform, providing attendees with invaluable insights into cutting-edge case studies, evidence-based guidelines, and the latest advancements in cardiovascular treatments.

Attendees also had the opportunity to engage with MWHC Graduate Medical Education (GME) residents, who presented clinical case study posters in collaboration with cardiology mentors. This collaboration reflects the growing academic and medical training environment within MWHC. The Exhibitor Hall featured more than 28 sponsors and exhibitors, offering additional educational opportunities, and showcasing the latest innovations in advanced cardiac care.

“Each year, the Virginia Heart & Vascular Symposium reflects MWHC’s dedication to advancing cardiovascular care in our region,” said Christopher Lewis, MD, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Mary Washington Healthcare. “Bringing together experts, learners, and industry partners creates a powerful environment for collaboration and innovation. We are especially proud of our GME residents, whose contributions represent the future of medicine and strengthen our shared commitment to delivering exceptional heart care.”

Keynote speakers included Michael J. Blaha, MD, MPH, Professor of Cardiology and Epidemiology, Director of Clinical Research and Director of the Cardiometabolic Clinic for the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease; Shashank Desai, MD, MBA, Medical Director of the Inova Heart Failure/Transplant Program at Inova Fairfax Hospital; and Peter O’Brien, MD, Director of the Acute MI Program at Centra and the Chief Quality Officer of the Heart and Vascular Institute. The diverse faculty of cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons led discussions on a wide range of topics, including cardiomyopathy, vascular diseases, atrial fibrillation, and structural heart interventions.

The Virginia Heart and Vascular Symposium continues to serve as a cornerstone for innovation, professional growth, and collaboration in the cardiovascular field, reinforcing MWHC’s commitment to advancing care and improving patient outcomes.

For more information about the comprehensive cardiac services offered by MWHC, please visit heart.mwhc.com.

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About Mary Washington Healthcare

Mary Washington Healthcare is a fully integrated, regional healthcare system that provides inpatient and outpatient care at more than 80 facilities including Mary Washington Hospital, a 471-bed tertiary hospital; Stafford Hospital, a 100-bed community hospital; four emergency departments, and a multi-specialty graduate medical education program. Mary Washington Healthcare is a non-profit health system with a longstanding commitment to providing care regardless of patients’ ability to pay. For more information about our services and facilities, visit mwhc.com.