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Innovations in joint replacements make surgery safer and more effective
Joint replacements are some of the most common orthopedic surgeries. In the United States, nearly 800,000 people get a knee replacement and almost 550,000 get a hip replacement each year. As people continue living longer, these procedures will become even more common. For years, researchers have been developing and perfecting joint replacement techniques and technologies.…
Read MoreWhat to eat to prevent colon cancer
Kelsey Coulter, RD, CSO, is a registered dietitian and board-certified specialist in oncology at the Inova Saville Cancer Screening and Prevention Center and Survivorship Clinic. Colorectal cancer screenings are the best way to prevent colorectal cancer and diagnose it early. A colonoscopy can detect and remove precancerous polyps and cancerous growths, providing both diagnosis and…
Read MoreIs it time for a colonoscopy?
Colorectal cancer – often called colon cancer – is one of the most preventable cancers when detected early. For many people, however, the idea of screening can feel intimidating. At Inova, our goal is to make screening easier, more accessible, and more comfortable, backed by the expertise of our expanding gastroenterology (GI) team. Early detection…
Read MoreInova study finds multi-disciplinary care for newly diagnosed cancer patients leads to better outcomes, cost savings for patients
Fairfax, VA – A major new research study, led by physicians at Inova Schar Cancer, finds that same-day multidisciplinary clinics for newly diagnosed cancer patients significantly improve care quality, patient experience, and survival, while also reducing costs. Published in the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Journal of Oncology Practice, the study examines the impact of…
Read MoreCardiologist Lily Dastmalchi, DO, earns national menopause specialization credential
Lily N. Dastmalchi, DO, MA, FACC, FASPC, MSCP, is board certified in cardiovascular disease, echocardiography and internal medicine. She leads the development of menopause services at Inova Schar Heart and Vascular and is one of the only cardiologists in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area who has earned a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) credential, affirming…
Read MoreInova becomes first health system to implement new GE HealthCare MRI technology designed to advance cardiac imaging
Fairfax, VA – Inova was the first health system in the world to implement GE HealthCare’s SIGNA™ Sprint Elite[1], a next-generation MRI system developed to advance cardiac, oncologic and pediatric imaging, as well as imaging for patients with implanted devices. The system is designed to enable more efficient, high-resolution imaging while keeping patient comfort at…
Read MoreSeven things you didn’t know about cervical cancer screening and prevention
Shawn Davis-Wilensky, MD, MPH, FACOG, is a board-certified OB-GYN. She practices at Inova Saville Cancer Screening and Prevention Center. Cervical cancer used to be among the most common cancer killers of women. But thanks to advances in prevention and screening, the general outlook has improved significantly. Here are seven things that may surprise you about cervical cancer…
Read MoreThe American Heart Association has updated high blood pressure guidelines
In August 2025, the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) published updated high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) guidelines. The guidelines, updated for the first time since 2017, include several new recommendations that patients and their primary care providers should know. “These are the most up-to-date guidelines for treating patients with one of…
Read MoreSaved by heart surgery, sustained by compassionate care
Six years ago, Gary Hughes scheduled what he thought would be a routine checkup. Instead, his physician delivered a startling message: “I can hear your heart in the next room – you need to see a cardiologist right away.” Gary’s cardiologist diagnosed an abnormal valve requiring surgery – a shock for someone who felt healthy…
Read MoreInova’s commitment to using blood wisely
Alan M. Speir, MD, is Director Emeritus of Cardiac Surgery for Inova and a Senior Associate Director of Inova Schar Heart and Vascular. He is board certified in thoracic and cardiac surgery. Mary Looby, PharmD, BCCCP, is a critical care clinical pharmacy specialist who currently serves as the Director of Quality for Inova Schar Heart…
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