Bassett Medical Center's Interventional Cardiology Department Recognized Among Best in New York State for Patient Outcomes

Bassett Interventional Cardiology Director Dhananjai Menzies, MD, Appointed to the New York State Cardiac Advisory Committee

Cooperstown, NY — Heart disease is the leading cause of death in New York and according to statewide data, Bassett Medical Center’s Interventional Cardiology Department’s risk-adjusted mortality rate (RAMR) for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is significantly lower than the statewide rate. Simply put, patients who come to Bassett Medical Center with blocked coronary arteries that need to be opened through interventional procedures like coronary stenting are seeing stellar outcomes.

“We are a high volume, superb outcome center and, I believe, a gem for the local population,” says Dhananjai Menzies, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Director of Bassett Healthcare Network’s Interventional Cardiology Program and Catheterization Laboratories.

“I’ve had patients travel from regional cities and even neighboring states to receive care from our team at Bassett. They are seeking us out due to how good our patient outcomes have become.”

According to data released by the New York State Department of Health, Bassett Medical Center has a risk adjusted mortality rate of 0.72 for all cases (See table 3). Not only is that significantly lower than the statewide rate, it is also the third lowest in the state, behind top heart centers like NYPH Cornell and Lennox Hill Hospital. Bassett Medical Center’s RAMR is lower than rates at all regional hospitals within 200 miles of Cooperstown.

Dr. Menzies was recently recognized for his high level of expertise with an appointment to serve on the New York State Cardiac Advisory Committee (CAC), which seeks to improve the quality of cardiac care across the Empire State by reviewing data, offering policy recommendations, conducting site visits, and advising New York State Department of Health officials and other policy makers.

“After twenty years of raising quality and outcomes, it is indeed an honor to be invited and vetted for this coveted role that advises the Commissioner of Health on a wide range of cardiac issues including quality, appropriateness and effectiveness of care, access, resources, prevention and treatment,” says Dr. Menzies. “The CAC assists the DOH in the development of cardiac initiatives, policies and guidelines, and having a representative selected from a small rural hospital simply means that Bassett now sits at the general's table through sheer hard work and quality cardiac care in interventional cardiology.”

Dr. Menzies’ current term with the New York State Cardiac Advisory Committee runs through January 2028.

About Bassett Healthcare Network

Bassett Healthcare Network is an integrated health system that provides care and services to people living in a 5,600 square mile region in central New York. The organization includes five corporately affiliated hospitals, over two dozen community-based health centers, more than 20 school-based health centers, two skilled nursing facilities, and other health partners in related fields. To learn more about services available throughout the Bassett Healthcare Network, visit www.bassett.org. Follow Bassett on Facebook, X (formery Twitter), and LinkedIn. Bassett Healthcare Network is an equal opportunity provider and employer.