CHRISTUS Health Earns National Distinction for Heart Valve Replacement in Tyler

May 11, 2026 – (TYLER, Texas) – The valve program at CHRISTUS Health’s Louis and Peaches Owen Heart Hospital has once again earned national recognition from the American College of Cardiology (ACC), marking the third time the program has received this prestigious accreditation.

With this achievement, CHRISTUS Health in Tyler is among just 12 valve programs in Texas to hold this distinction, reinforcing its role as a leader in advanced heart care for East Texans.

“Receiving this accreditation from the ACC is about so much more than the award itself; it’s about the daily dedication we have for our patients with structural heart disease,” said Natalie Kelley, valve program coordinator.

The heart hospital valve program completes more than 100 valve procedures each year, giving physicians and care teams deep experience in treating complex heart valve conditions through an integrated approach.

Since its inception in 2016, the program has completed nearly 1,000 valve replacement procedures.

“This accreditation is a tremendous honor for our physicians, nurses and clinical teams,” said cardiac surgeon, Dr. William Turner. “More importantly, it reassures our community that patients here have access to nationally recognized care close to home, without having to travel for complex heart procedures.”

Valve replacement is a specialized treatment for patients with damaged or diseased heart valves that interfere with normal blood flow through the heart. When a valve does not function properly, patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue or chest pain.

Through both surgical and minimally invasive approaches, valve replacement can restore healthy blood flow, reduce symptoms, improve quality of life and, in many cases, extend a patient’s life.

“Heart valve disease can be life-limiting if left untreated,” said Sheldon Freeberg, medical director of the structural heart program. “Having an ACC-accredited valve program, and a team performing these procedures every day, means we can deliver the right care at the right time, with outcomes patients can trust.”

The continued accreditation underscores CHRISTUS Health’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular care and ensuring East Texans have access to high-quality, reliable heart services close to home.