A dedicated doctor at Corewell Health, Dr. David Haines, tragically passed away just before he was scheduled to lead an important technology launch at a Michigan hospital.
Dr. Haines, who served as the medical director of the Heart Rhythm Center at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, spent over a decade developing an innovative Pulsed Field Ablation System. This system aimed to treat patients suffering from atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder affecting millions worldwide.
Unlike traditional methods, the PFA System uses pulsed electric fields to isolate pulmonary veins without causing harm to surrounding tissues. Corewell Health achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Midwest health system to successfully treat AFib patients with this groundbreaking technology on February 15.
Dr. Haines was set to lead the launch at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, but his untimely passing led Dr. Mishaki Mehta and Dr. Ilana Kutinsky to step in. Reflecting on Dr. Haines’ legacy, Dr. Mehta described him as not just a colleague but a world-class innovator and educator.
In addition to the Royal Oak launch, Dr. Andre Gauri performed the same procedure at Corewell Health Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids on the same day. All procedures were successful, and patients are reported to be recovering well, according to Corewell Health.
