Falls Church, VA, Aug. 21, 2025 – Inova is proud to announce the establishment of five prestigious chair positions for Inova Schar Heart and Vascular: the Schar Distinguished Chair, the Martha Schar Chair and three Schar Chairs. The creation of these chairs and resulting appointments were part of the transformational gift from longtime supporters of Inova Dwight and Martha Schar and will support the hospital system’s heart and vascular programs.
The Schars’ gift of $75 million – one of the largest to advance heart health in the country – has accelerated innovation in cardiovascular care in Northern Virginia, supporting leadership development and a multidisciplinary approach.
“Through this investment, we will amplify the world-class treatment already provided by the clinical teams at Inova Schar Heart and Vascular,” said Dwight Schar, Founder, NVR, Inc. “Having access to top-notch heart and vascular care right here in Northern Virginia is a critical part of Inova’s commitment to providing compassionate care for our community, and Martha and I are grateful to be able to support that vision.”
The Schar Distinguished Chair is the first endowed chair of its kind at Inova. The following physicians have been named to these new positions:
Christopher O’Connor, MD, MACC, FESC, FHFSA, FHFA
President, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular
Schar Distinguished Chair, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular
Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine
Wayne Batchelor, MD, MHS, MBA
President, Inova Medicine Service Line
Schar Chair, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular
Director Emeritus, Interventional Cardiology, Inova
Professor of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine
Steven D. Nathan, MD, FCCP
Schar Chair, Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant
Medical Director, Advanced Lung Disease and Lung Transplant Program, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular
Professor of Medical Education, University of Virginia
Richard F. Neville, MD
Schar Chair, Vascular Surgery
Associate Director, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular
Chief, Vascular Surgery, Wound Care, Hyperbaric Medicine, Inova
Professor, Department of Surgery, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Services
Professor, Medical Education, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Inova Campus
Garima Sharma, MD
Martha Schar Chair of Women’s Cardiovascular Health
Director, Preventive Cardiology and Women’s Cardiovascular Health, Inova Schar Heart and Vascular
Associate Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
“We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of Dwight and Martha Schar,” Dr. O’Connor said. “The installation of these chairs recognizes the strong commitment to clinical excellence, innovation, research, education, service and academic excellence of several of our outstanding leaders and furthers our dedication to providing exceptional care for all whom we have the privilege to serve.”
Inova President and CEO J. Stephen Jones, MD, added, “The generosity of Dwight and Martha Schar enhances the excellent work that takes place every day at Inova Schar Heart and Vascular. It reflects a community that cares deeply about ensuring that we have exceptional healthcare locally, and we are sincerely grateful for their trust and support.”
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We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, and outpatient services, Inova provides care for more than 1 million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed 4 million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs.
Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 25,000 team members, our technology and our innovation. In 2025, Inova was named the Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, a national leader in healthcare experience, recognizing our excellence in patient care, team member engagement, and commitment to continuous improvement.
Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to each person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at www.inova.org.
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Congratulations!
All of us at Oracle Heart and Vascular in Fredericksburg area express our excitement for this news and appreciation for the services that INOVA cardiac and pulmonary teams have provided to our many patients. We wish you all the joy and successes in your next level of business and patient care excellence. You continue to set the highest of standards in cardiovascular and pulmonary care. We look forward to continued growth and collaboration.