The Heart Center (Cardiology)

World-Renowned Experts Caring for Patients of All Ages With Congenital Heart Disease

Expertise. Compassion. Research.

See what drives us at The Heart Center

The Heart Center (Cardiology)

The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital has expertise, compassion and the most advanced technologies. As the leader in pediatric care, we offer cardiology services, cardiothoracic surgery, and everything else you would expect to find at a nationally-renowned heart center. Pediatric and adult patients with all forms of congenital heart disease and acquired cardiomyopathy have access to world-class diagnostic, treatment and research facilities. And all locations are staffed by pediatric experts who provide patients and their families with innovation and advancements not found elsewhere.

Whether your child is newly diagnosed, or you have been living with a congenital heart condition for many years, our pediatric experts offer specialized patient care and support for the entire family.

US News and World Report for Cardiology and Heart Surgery.

Nationwide Children's Hospital is ranked by U.S. News & World Report for Cardiology and Heart Surgery

New Patients

Now you can schedule appointments and second opinions online with a provider, time and location that is most convenient, or call (614) 722-6200.

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Existing Patients

If your child is already a patient, you can schedule Cardiology follow-up appointments right in MyChart or call (614) 722-6200.

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Sign Up for MyChart

Signing up for MyChart is easy, and it's free. Use MyChart to schedule appointments, view lab results, refill prescriptions and more.

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Referring Physicians

We're one team. Our physician resources make referring your patients to our experts fast, seamless and ensures the highest quality of care.

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Can't Find What You're Looking For?

If you are unable to schedule your next appointment through MyChart, fill out our online Request an Appointment form and a member of our scheduling team will be happy to assist you.

Pediatric and Adult Heart Care. When Everything Matters, you Seek World Class.

Expertise. Compassion. Advanced technologies. The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital provides pediatric and adult heart patients with outstanding diagnostic, treatment and research facilities. At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, patients and families experience innovation and advancements unlike any other institution.

Under Co-Directors Mark Galantowicz, MD, FACS and Catherine Krawczeski, MD, The Heart Center consolidates all cardiology and cardiothoracic surgery services into a comprehensive model for family-centered care and convenience. One, comprehensive location for care, education and research. We are prepared to treat patients from 0 to 100 years of age with experts in all areas of surgical and medical subspecialties.

Learn More About The Heart Center

Meet Our Team

Our multidisciplinary team of experts offers advanced, comprehensive pediatric and adult cardiology care.

Meet Our Co-Directors

Mark Galantowicz

Mark E. Galantowicz

Mark Galantowicz, MD, is the Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Co-Director of The Heart Center at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Dr. Galantowicz is also a Professor of Surgery at The Ohio State University College of Medicine and is the recipient of the Murray D. Lincoln Endowed Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Catherine D. Krawczeski

Catherine D. Krawczeski

Catherine Krawczeski, MD, is physician-in-chief and chief of the Department of Pediatrics at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Dr. Krawczeski also serves as Chair of Pediatrics at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.

Our Programs

Teenage Girl Smiling and Sitting Outside

Adolescent & Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) Program

One of the first centers to receive a five-year accreditation from the Adult Congenital Heart Association, our program includes six ACHD board-certified cardiologists. Our team offers everything an adult congenital heart patient needs, including pregnancy planning, catheterizations and surgery.

Smiling young heart patient

Heart & Chest Surgery

We treat patients with congenital heart disease with the simplest to the most complex procedures. Our program and outcomes are held to the highest standards. We participate in several national databases and registries as well as advisory panels.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Stock Photo

Interventional Cardiology

Interventional cardiology is an internationally recognized program that provides a full spectrum of diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization procedures.

NICU baby in isolette

Fetal Cardiac Program

When you learn your unborn child has a heart defect, the fetal cardiac team is here to help. From education to building comprehensive treatment plans, monitoring and fetal interventions, we work together to ensure the best possible outcome for your baby.

Young boy in hospital bed

Cardiomyopathy, Heart Failure & Heart Transplant Program

We treat patients with heart failure including medical management and mechanical assist devices as a bridge to transplant. We work with patients and families to plan treatment that provides the best possible quality of life.

Quality Counts: See Our Surgical Outcomes 

Our program is actively involved in quality assurance and improvement on a national, state, and local level. Nationally, we participate in several databases (STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database, NACHRI, UNOS) from which we receive annual reports that are reviewed for areas of improvement. Additionally, we participate in the Optum Health’s Centers of Excellence advisory panel for congenital heart surgery where issues of value (outcomes/cost) are reviewed and incorporated into our quality improvement programs. The Cardiothoracic Surgical program is also part of a statewide database and participates on the Cardiac Standards Subcommittee of the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps.

Heart Surgeons in Operating Room

Outcomes Data

Our multidisciplinary team model at The Heart Center enables our team to constantly monitor quality of care and patient safety pre- and post-surgery to assure the best possible outcomes.

Heart Surgery Patient

Rankings & Ratings

Beginning in 2017-18, U.S. News & World Report  started using a new way of calculating rankings. Our team explains what you and your family need to know.

Clinic Locations 

The Heart Center at Nationwide Children’s offers outpatient cardiology services at its main campus, Close To Home Centers and at 15 clinics throughout the Ohio region. Each location is staffed with a renowned Heart Center physician, registered nurse, cardiology technician, pediatric cardiac sonographer, medical students, residents in training and pediatric cardiology fellows in training which allows us to extend world-class services to patients regardless of where they receive care.

Featured Locations

Mansfield Close To Home Center

Mansfield

Our Patients: The Heart of What We Do

We realize that emotional support is every bit as important as medical treatment. That’s why we want you to meet some of our patients and their families. Like you, they are dealing with the daily challenges of living with a heart condition.
Rylee's Story

Read Rylee's Story

Name: Rylee C.
Condition(s):

The team at Nationwide Children’s discovered that Rylee's heart was aging too quickly and that she needed a heart transplant.

Kyle's story

Read Kyle's Story

Name: Kyle M.
Condition(s): Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy, Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome
Age Today: 25 Years

When Kyle’s mom took him to his pediatrician, they were referred to Nationwide Children's in Dublin for a repeat EKG. That’s when they met Dr. Naomi Kertesz, Director of Electrophysiology and Pacing at The Heart Center, and learned that Kyle had Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) Syndrome.

Gracie C

Read Gracie's Story

Name: Gracie C.
Condition(s): Tetralogy of Fallot, Pulmonary Atresia with Ventricular Septal Defect
Age Today: 13 Years

When Gracie was 2-years-old, her family was told there was nothing that could be done for her and that they should take her home, love her and just keep her comfortable. Her family refused to take that as an answer.

Samantha's story

Read Samantha's Story

Name: Samantha M.
Condition(s): Marfan Syndrome
Age Today: 38 Years

At my 2 year check up my family doctor noticed a murmur. He then sent me to Children's Hospital for further testing. I was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome. My condition effects all the connective tissue in my body.

Resources for Families

Heart Animation Teaser

Animation Library

The Heart Center has created a number of educational animations to help our patients understand their heart conditions and the procedures we perform to treat them.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Stock Photo

Your Guide to Congenital Heart Defects

Your baby has been prenatally diagnosed with a heart condition and will require services at Nationwide Children’s. Our goal is to provide you with the information and care you need to prepare for the birth of your baby.

Nationwide Children's Hospital Patient Photo

Your Guide to Single Ventricle Heart Defects

Your baby has been prenatally diagnosed with a single ventricle heart condition and will require services at Nationwide Children’s. Our expert team of fetal medicine specialists is here to guide and support you each step of the way.

Family Resource Center

Family Resource Center

The Family Resource Center was designed by families and professionals to support patients and families during their time at Nationwide Children's Hospital, both inpatient and outpatient.

Little sister and big brother sitting on a couch

Sibling Support (Sibling Clubhouse)

The Children's Clubhouse is a special place for preschool and school-aged children to play and learn while their siblings are in the hospital.

Magic Bean Cafe

Places to Eat

Your child and family deserve meals that are nutritious and appealing, and that's what we provide at Nationwide Children's Hospital. We offer several options, including hotel-style room service, a cafeteria, food court, two coffee shops and other choices.

gift shop main

Gift Shop

From toys and cards to make a child smile to everyday items that help a parent feel more at home, everything matters during your stay at Nationwide Children's Hospital. Within the main hospital, we have two gift shops to meet the needs of our patients, their families, friends and visitors.

Heart Conditions We Treat

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Animation: Hybrid Stage 1

Check Out Our Animation Library

The Heart Center has created a number of educational animations to help our patients understand their heart conditions and the procedures we perform to treat them.