C. S. Mott Children's Hospital

University of Michigan Health System

Background

Each year, approximately 35,000 babies – about 8 out of every 1,000 infants – are born with some form of congenital heart disease. And congenital heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death from birth defects in children under a year of age. In fact, nearly twice as many children die from congenital heart disease than from all forms of childhood cancers combined.

But the Michigan Congenital Heart Center at the University of Michigan Health System is turning these numbers around.

Today, we comprehensively evaluate and treat infants, children, adolescents and adults with all forms of congenital and acquired heart disease. Our results are astounding, and we’ve learned a lot of life lessons in our 20 years of service:

Why do so many other physicians recommend us? Because we do more surgical procedures in our specialties than any other center. When it comes to heart disease, the more procedures you do, the better you get. Which means your patients have a better chance for life.  We do more pediatric procedures in our specialties than any other center. And practice makes perfect.

We train the best cardiac physicians – The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredits us to train physicians who care for children with cardiovascular disease. Our Center is nationally recognized for our resident training program.

We make important discoveries – We are working on new medicines, procedures, processes and equipment that will make a world of difference for congenital heart patients not just here at Michigan but around the world. The National Institutes of Health applauds our work so much that we are one of the best-funded research programs in the U.S. Here are just a few of the areas we are working on:

Our History

In 1968, University of Michigan physicians successfully performed the first open-heart surgery in the state of Michigan. The following year, the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital opened. These two entities joined forces in providing state-of-the-art care, recognizing the very special needs of children and adults who have congenital and acquired heart disease. In 1978, the Michigan Congenital Heart Center was born.

Our Future

The University of Michigan and several supportive donors are making sure that we can provide our services and programs to even more patients. When the new C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital opens, one entire floor will be dedicated to the University of Michigan Congenital Heart Center, and our cardiac intensive care unit will nearly double in size.