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Dr. James Quintessenza to Join Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to Lead Heart Institute
Dr. Quintessenza, nationally recognized pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, returns to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, the first step in a multi-phase process of restarting the hospital’s Heart Institute.
Dr. Bill Greeley, leader of external team that reviewed and provided clinical recommendations for the Heart Institute, will remain as Deputy Director through the transition period and restart of the Institute.
St. Petersburg, Fla. – October 15, 2019 – Today, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital announced the return of Dr. James Quintessenza to begin the process of restarting the hospital’s Heart Institute.
In January, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital invited a team of national experts in pediatric heart programs, led by Dr. Bill Greeley, to consult with physicians and staff members to assess all elements of the Heart Institute from a clinical perspective and help determine the resources required and an appropriate timeline to restart the program safely and with a commitment to excellence.
Over the summer, the board of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital reviewed and endorsed their recommendations and moved forward with identifying and recruiting a new leader for the Heart Institute. Following an extensive national search, Dr. James Quintessenza has agreed to return to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital to help lead the Heart Institute. Dr. Greeley has accepted a position as Deputy Director of the Heart Institute during the transition and restart period.
This marks the first step in a phased process of restarting the Heart Institute in line with the recommendations of the external experts. Over the coming year, the hospital will recruit additional doctors and staff, including for intensive care and pediatric, interventional and fetal cardiology.
Dr. Quintessenza is one of the country’s leading cardiothoracic surgeons. For 26 years he served at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, including serving for 19 years as medical director and chief of pediatric cardiac surgery. Since 2016, he has served as chief of pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at Kentucky Children’s hospital and held a faculty appointment at Cincinnati Children’s hospital.
“Over the course of their careers, both Dr. Quintessenza and Dr. Greeley have continually set the bar for delivering exceptional care to patients,” said Thomas D. Kmetz, president of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. “For decades, their clinical and research expertise have resulted in life-saving outcomes for thousands of patients. They are both exceptional physician leaders, and we are pleased to welcome them at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.”
“I am delighted to be returning home to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, a remarkable institution where I was proud to serve for more than 25 years,” said Dr. Quintessenza. “I look forward to working with Dr. Greeley and the dedicated staff and experts of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital as we take steps over the coming months to restart the Heart Institute with the commitment to excellence that is the hallmark of this institution."
Dr. Greeley is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader and an academic in the field of Pediatric Cardiovascular Medicine. After training in Pediatrics, Pediatric Cardiology, Pediatric Anesthesia and Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, Dr Greeley went on to successfully build and develop Cardiovascular Programs at Duke University Medical Center and then the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. His 35 years of experience as a physician executive working in these two Heart Centers and Institutions will be used to guide the rebuilding of the Cardiovascular Programs at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, including the Cardiac Surgery Program.
“Over the last year, my team and I conducted a thorough and comprehensive clinical review of the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital Heart Institute,” said Dr. Bill Greeley. “Following this review, I can unequivocally say that this is a program worth investing in to make sure that it can serve the children and families of Tampa Bay with the highest quality pediatric cardiac care. I look forward to working with Dr. Quintessenza and the hospital’s leadership as we move forward with implementing the recommendations of our team.”
Dr. Quintessenza will join the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital on Feb. 15, 2020.
About Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital
Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg is a leader in children’s health care, combining a legacy of compassionate care focused solely on children since 1926 with the innovation and experience of one of the world’s leading health care systems. The 259-bed teaching hospital stands at the forefront of discovery, leading innovative research to cure and prevent childhood diseases while training the next generation of pediatric experts. With a network of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Outpatient Care centers and collaborative care provided by All Children’s Specialty Physicians at regional hospitals, Johns Hopkins All Children’s brings care closer to home. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital consistently keeps the patient and family at the center of care while continuing to expand its mission in treatment, research, education and advocacy. For more information, visit HopkinsAllChildrens.org.