10-05-2025
WVU-Medicine PCH announces new access to improved cardiac care
princeton — WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital announced its new affiliation Friday with the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, a partnership that will provide improved access to expert cardiac care services for residents across the region.
The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute is one of the nation's top-rated cardiac programs. A new board-certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist, Dr. Kiran Kanjerla, also was introduced to the community during Friday's ceremony.
PCH President and CEO Karen Bowling told the crowd assembled at the new WVU Heart and Vascular Institute Cardiology Clinic, which is located on the third floor of PCH's North Tower, that the new signage outside marked the arrival of top-tier heart care.
'I tell everyone I'm so proud of the work we've done over the last four years,' Bowling said. 'This is just a monumental day. An accumulation of a lot of work we've been doing to ensure that our patients and our region continue to get the best, highest-quality care close to home, in partnership with the renowned Heart and Vascular Institute.'
Bowling said PCH's new affiliation with the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute will bring improved access to expert cardiac care to the region.
'When you think of our geographic region, you know heart disease is very prevalent,' Bowling said of the Southern West Virginia, Southwest Virginia region that is served by WVU Medicine PCH.
Dr. George Sokos, chair of the WVU Department off Cardiology, said everyone deserves access to the same level of cardiac care regardless of where they live.
'We think everybody deserves the same level of care, no matter where you are — and it's possible here, close to home, to receive the same care you'd get at Ruby or in Morgantown,' Sokos said. 'That's what we're striving to do.'
Sokos said PCH's new affiliation with WVU Heart and Vascular Institute will provide improved access to cardiac care.
'It's really about trying to make it a place where someone can come and get all of the cardiac services they need,' Sokos said.
'This is an exciting time,' added PCH Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Stephen Ward, who introduced Kanjerla as the hospital's newest cardiac electrophysiologist.
'In the last few weeks, we've had Dr. Kenjerla start with us, and he brings great experience — fellowship-trained in electrophysiology at George Washington University, which is a huge plus for our area. He's already making an impact; his very first consult helped us avoid a patient transfer by enabling timely device placement right here at our hospital.'
Kanjerla said he started working at PCH a couple of weeks ago, and will be assisting patients with permanent pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillator procedures.
Starting May 19, Kanjerla will offer services in both general cardiology and electrophysiology, according to Cassandra Stalzer, director of public relations and marketing for WVU Medicine PCH. His practice will also include outpatient device checks and cardiac clearance evaluations. She said Kanjerla is now accepting referrals, and new patient appointments begin May 19 in Suite B of the PCH North Tower.
Kanjerla said he will treat a wide range of heart conditions including atrial fibrillation, arrhythmias, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and hypertension.
Contact Charles Owens at
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