WVU Heart and Vascular Institute recognized with national award for excellence in vascular care

MORGANTOWN, W.VA.  — The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute (HVI) has been honored with the Society for Vascular Surgery Vascular Quality Initiative® (SVS VQI) Dr. Larry Kraiss Quality Award, a national recognition celebrating hospitals that demonstrate sustained excellence in vascular care and quality improvement.

Named in honor of Dr. Larry W. Kraiss, a respected leader and pioneer in vascular surgery, the award recognizes hospitals that have achieved the SVS VQI three-star Commitment to Vascular Quality Improvement Award for a minimum of eight consecutive years.  

This distinction highlights institutions that consistently demonstrate exceptional dedication to improving patient outcomes through data-driven care, clinical excellence, and continuous quality improvement. 

“We are honored to receive the Dr. Larry Kraiss Quality Award,” Pamela Zimmerman, M.D., chief of Vascular Surgery at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, said. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire vascular care team to delivering the highest standard of care for our patients and continuously improving outcomes through collaboration and quality initiatives.” 

Dr. Kraiss has made enduring contributions to vascular surgery and the advancement of quality-driven healthcare. A graduate of Vanguard University of Southern California and Baylor College of Medicine, he completed his surgical training at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he also conducted vascular biology research. In 1995, he joined the faculty at the University of Utah, where he established an NIH-funded research laboratory focused on translational control in endothelial cells. 

During his distinguished career, Dr. Kraiss served as chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery at the University of Utah from 2003 to 2018 and directed the Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program from 2003 to 2012. He currently serves as professor of Surgery and medical director of the University of Utah Hospital Vascular Laboratory, maintaining a broad-based vascular surgery practice and an extensive outreach program serving patients across Utah and Wyoming. 

Dr. Kraiss has also played a pivotal leadership role within the Society for Vascular Surgery, serving as chair of the SVS Research Council, chair of the Executive Committee of the SVS Patient Safety Organization, and chair of the SVS Quality Council. He is also a past president of both the Rocky Mountain Vascular Society and the Western Vascular Society. He currently serves as medical director of the SVS Patient Safety Organization. 

The Dr. Larry Kraiss Quality Award was created to honor hospitals that embody Dr. Kraiss’ lifelong commitment to improving vascular care through collaboration, research, and quality improvement. Institutions receiving this award demonstrate not only outstanding performance but also a long-term dedication to advancing patient outcomes and setting the highest standards for vascular care. 

“Dr. Kraiss has been a champion for data-driven quality improvement and collaboration across institutions,” Cara Lyle, M.D., chief quality officer of the Vascular Division at HVI. “Hospitals receiving this award exemplify the spirit of his work and the mission of the SVS Vascular Quality Initiative to improve vascular care for patients everywhere.” 

In reflecting on his impact, one patient shared in 2024 that “Dr. Kraiss is compassionate and dedicated to his patients’ vascular health. He remembers details about their personal lives that impact their overall health and acknowledges the whole person.” This sentiment reflects the compassion, wisdom, and dedication that inspired the creation of this award. 

By receiving the SVS VQI Dr. Larry Kraiss Quality Award, the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute joins a distinguished group of institutions recognized nationally for their sustained commitment to improving vascular care and patient outcomes. 

For more information on the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, visit WVUMedicine.org/Heart.