The VCU Health Pauley Heart Center — the state’s top heart hospital – has received unprecedented support in Virginia’s 2024-2026 state budget.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin and the General Assembly approved $2.75M per year, for a total of $5.5M over the biennium, in funding for the Pauley Heart Center. This is the first time Pauley has received significant state funding for its cardiovascular health initiatives.

“At the Pauley Heart Center, our mission is to improve cardiovascular care for all Virginians,” said Director Greg Hundley, MD. “This level of financial support from the state is a huge step forward for us: we will be able to expand our efforts to advance the quality of heart health care in Virginia; discover novel solutions to cardiovascular disease; and train the next generation of healthcare providers and researchers. This funding shows that state leadership both has confidence in our programs and mission, and is committed to fighting heart disease in the Commonwealth.”

The state funding will be used to support research and training programs at Pauley. Initiatives supported by the funding will include:

• Multidisciplinary cardiovascular research programs, including research training programs for the next generation of cardiovascular scientists
• Community outreach, including programs that will assist patients with managing chronic cardiovascular disease care, and the creation of community advisory boards in areas of greatest need
• Healthcare workforce development programs, including the expansion of Pauley’s undergraduate research and workforce CV training opportunities
• Continuing education programs for rural and urban family medicine providers on innovations in cardiovascular disease diagnosis and treatment

In addition, from the state's general fund, an additional $900K was appropriated to further expand Pauley's cardiac sonographer training program currently administered through a partnership with Rappahannock Community College; this program was created with the support of state funding granted to RCC and VCU Health in 2022.

Founded more than 20 years ago, the Pauley Heart Center is today the top-ranked heart center in Virginia, and one of only a handful of named heart centers in the nation. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death nationwide and in Virginia, and despite advances in prevention and treatment in recent decades, disproportionately affects individuals with poor social determinants of health. Pauley’s mission is to improve cardiovascular care and reduce health disparities for all through research, education, community outreach, and innovative and accessible cardiovascular care that is the best in the Commonwealth.