Leading Cardiovascular Care Into Our Third Century

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one person dies every 33 seconds from cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death for men and women.

Jefferson has a storied history of pioneering advancements in cardiovascular medicine. From the earliest days of the specialty, cardiologists at Jefferson have provided the gold standard of cardiovascular care, remaining at the forefront of advancing research, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

In 1953, Jefferson alumnus and faculty member John H. Gibbon Jr. MD ’27, developed the heart-lung machine, performing subsequent open-heart surgeries that revolutionized heart surgery in the 20th century. In addition, Jefferson was one of the first centers in the U.S. to use stents for blocked arteries and is a leader in minimally invasive procedures like transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Today, Jefferson is ranked as a leader in cardiology and heart surgery by U.S. News & World Report, designated as a Top Hospital for Heart by Philadelphia magazine, and recognized as having one of the best cardiology and heart surgery programs in the country.

In just the last year, two exciting new developments have further advanced the future of cardiovascular care not only regionally, but also nationally and across the globe.

In June 2024, Jefferson Health received a transformational gift from the Bruce and Robbi Toll Foundation to establish the Bruce & Robbi Toll Heart and Vascular Institute, a comprehensive program designed to bring high-quality cardiovascular care directly to the patients and communities that Jefferson serves.

The Toll Institute integrates all cardiac and vascular services across Jefferson, encompassing the divisions of Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Medicine, and Vascular Surgery, and establishing an infrastructure that will attract the best and brightest, boost clinical capabilities, enrich academic programs, and propel research to new heights.

The Institute’s unified structure significantly enhances collaboration among care teams, streamlining the patient experience and expanding access to promising clinical trials, and catalyzing cross-disciplinary research and education across divisions, disciplines, and clinical sites.

“The Toll family’s incredibly generous commitment will provide robust support for Jefferson’s cardiac physicians, researchers, and staff, and will help advance important work on cardiovascular disease,” says Joseph G. Cacchione, MD, CEO of Jefferson. “I’m deeply grateful to Bruce and Robbi for their decades of giving to Jefferson Abington Hospital and for their investment in this key area of our strategic plan. The impact of their generosity will be felt across our region for generations to come.”

The Toll Institute has changed the face of cardiovascular care across the region. Home to nearly 400 cardiac practitioners and with one of the highest-volume vascular programs on the East Coast, completing nearly 100,000 procedures in 2024, the Institute offers the broadest and most advanced diagnostic and treatment options for heart conditions in the Greater Philadelphia and South Jersey region.

“At a time when heart disease continues to be a leading cause of death locally, in the U.S. and around the world, it is imperative that we increase access to cardiovascular care across Jefferson’s growing health system,” says Baligh R. Yehia, MD, president of Jefferson Health. “The Bruce and Robbi Toll Heart and Vascular Institute is an opportunity to do just that. By uniting our exceptional cardiac and vascular services, we can ensure that a patient receives the right intervention at the right time, whether in the hospital, the community clinic, the home, or anywhere in between.”

“Robbi and I believe that investing in research and increasing access to excellent heart care will make a real difference for our community, now and in the future,” says Bruce Toll. “We are honored to partner with Jefferson Health to launch this new, world-class institute, which we hope will not only save lives, but inspire others to support this vital cause.”

An institute of this caliber needs a strong, eminent leader at the helm. To this end, Jefferson has further strengthened its commitment to cardiovascular care by appointing esteemed physician Joseph E. Bavaria, MD, to serve as executive director of the Bruce and Robbi Toll Heart and Vascular Institute.

Bavaria joined Jefferson Health and the University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College in January 2025. He brings a wealth of leadership and surgical expertise to Jefferson, bolstering its ability to advance the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of heart and vascular conditions.

“This key appointment underscores Jefferson’s dedication to providing the highest-quality cardiovascular care to our communities and across all of our campuses, including all Jefferson Health locations and the newly integrated Lehigh Valley Health Network,” says Yehia. “Dr. Bavaria’s leadership will ensure that we continue to provide the highest-quality cardiovascular care, improving outcomes for our patients.”

In addition, Bavaria serves as chair of the newly established Department of Cardiac Surgery, where his groundbreaking contributions to cardiovascular medicine will undoubtedly inspire and shape future generation of surgeons, elevating cardiac surgery instruction to new heights.

“Dr. Bavaria’s unparalleled expertise brings immense value to Jefferson and the College,” says Said Ibrahim, MD, the Anthony F. and Gertrude M. DePalma Dean of Sidney Kimmel Medical College and president of Jefferson University Physicians. “His deep knowledge and experience will ensure our learners are exceptionally prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of modern cardiac surgery with confidence and skill.”

“We are honored to welcome Dr. Bavaria to the Sidney Kimmel Medical College,” says Susan C. Aldridge, PhD, president of Thomas Jefferson University. “With a legacy of groundbreaking contributions to cardiovascular medicine, Dr. Bavaria brings unparalleled expertise that will undoubtedly inspire and shape the future generation of surgeons here at Thomas Jefferson University.”

After earning his bachelor’s degree and medical degree from Tulane University in New Orleans, Bavaria completed his surgical internship and residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, and completed additional residencies in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

He joins Jefferson from Penn Medicine, where he served as vice chief of the Division of Cardiovascular Surgery, director of the Thoracic Aortic Surgery Program, co-director of the Transcatheter Valve Program, and founder and co-director of the Penn Aorta Center.

He has performed more than 10,000 open-heart procedures during his distinguished career. In particular, he is an expert in treating thoracic aortic aneurysms and repairing and replacing aortic valves.

A skilled leader, lecturer, and educator, Bavaria has held national and international leadership positions, including president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, president of the Thoracic Surgery Foundation, board member of the Heart Valve Society, and executive committee member of the European Association of CardioThoracic Surgery. He has also played a pivotal role in helping to establish national treatment guidelines.

“I am honored to join Jefferson Health and Thomas Jefferson University at this pivotal time of growth and innovation,” Bavaria says. “I see tremendous opportunity to advance cardiovascular care across the system. The organization’s focus on integrating cardiovascular services presents a unique opportunity to enhance patient care. I look forward to contributing to Jefferson’s mission of bringing world-class care to those most in need.”

Support the heart and vascular programs at Jefferson.