Our Structural Heart Team also reached a big milestone this year with the completion of its 1000^th Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) procedure. Only a handful of TAVR programs in Alabama and surrounding states have reached the millennial mark.

TAVR is considered a minimally-invasive procedure because a new heart valve can be inserted via catheter without removing the old, diseased valve or opening the patient’s chest.

The HH Health family was excited to welcome The Orthopaedic Center (TOC) and Huntsville Emergency Medical Services Inc. (HEMSI) (effective Jan. 1, 2024).

These strategic alignments strengthen already well-established health care partnerships and benefit even more patients by allowing HH Health to expand its services across our region.

Although diamonds are the traditional 60^th anniversary gift, Chef Riley Kirby got something a little different after six decades of service to the health system. Kirby, the longest-serving employee in Huntsville Hospital history, received a Kubota tractor to use around his 10-acre farm.

Since becoming a dishwasher in our Food Services department, Riley has evolved into a talented culinary artist, making delicious meals for our patients, visitors and staff. Congrats and thank you for making a difference each day!

2023 was a great year to be a nurse! In August, the inaugural class of the LPN Launch program graduated and accepted positions within the HH Health system. Through a unique venture, these Licensed Practical Nurses were taught by Drake State Community & Technical College nursing faculty at our Cochran Training Center – and we paid for their tuition, books and other expenses.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a professional caregiver, LPN Launch could be your ticket to a more rewarding career. Get started today.

Our patients are our No. 1 priority at HH Health. That’s why we were elated to tell the amazing story of Sue Campbell, who remains our oldest trauma patient at 105 years and counting.

Sue, who developed a potentially fatal bowel obstruction in 2018, took time this year to thank Huntsville Hospital trauma surgeon Dr. Rony Najjar, who operated on her that night and saved her life.

“Our entire family is just so grateful for Dr. Najjar,” said Glenda Humphrey, Sue’s daughter. “He gave her almost 5 ½ extra years of life, so far, that she has enjoyed to the fullest.”