Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare opens cardiovascular center of excellence in Saudi Arabia

SAUDI ARABIA—Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH) has launched its Cardiovascular Center of Excellence in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant expansion in specialized heart and vascular care across the Gulf region.

The new facility represents Saudi Arabia’s second Center of Excellence, following the successful establishment of the Oncology CoE.

JHAH has modelled the cardiovascular centre after the renowned Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute in the United States, bringing evidence-based protocols and patient-centred care to the Kingdom.

Addressing a critical healthcare need

The center opens its doors at a crucial time for the region.

Cardiovascular disease currently stands as the leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia, and health officials project a dramatic surge in cases over the coming decade.

By 2035, more than 479,500 Saudi citizens will face cardiovascular conditions—representing more than double the current patient population.

Several factors drive this alarming trend, whereby the Kingdom’s aging population, combined with lifestyle-related conditions and diet-related health risks, continues to fuel the rise in heart disease.

The new Center of Excellence aims to meet this growing demand head-on by offering comprehensive, integrated care to both local and regional patients.

Comprehensive cardiac services under one roof

The Cardiovascular CoE brings together cardiology, cardiac surgery, and vascular medicine within a single coordinated program.

Advanced technologies enable specialists to manage even the most complex cardiovascular conditions, while multidisciplinary teams develop personalized treatment plans that prioritize patient needs and ensure continuity of care.

The center goes beyond treatment alone. JHAH has positioned the facility as a hub for clinician training, medical research, and the development of novel therapies.

This approach ensures that the center will pursue superior outcomes through evidence-based protocols and innovative treatments that advance the field of cardiovascular medicine.

Bringing world-class Care closer to home

Dr. Russell Hales, Chief of Centers of Excellence at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, emphasized the transformative impact of the new facility.

He described the center as a milestone not only for JHAH but for patients throughout Saudi Arabia and the broader Gulf Cooperation Council region.

“For many patients, accessing the right heart care has often meant a choice between travelling abroad or not receiving it at all,” Dr Hales explained.

“Our Center of Excellence intends to change that—bringing trusted care closer to home, in collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine.”

Dr. Hales brings exceptional credentials to his role as a distinguished radiation oncologist and professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the United States.

His leadership reinforces JHAH’s mission to embed international best practices, elevate care quality, and ensure that patients can receive exceptional treatment locally.

Setting new standards for cardiovascular care

The partnership between JHAH and Johns Hopkins Medicine creates a unique model for healthcare delivery in the region.

The Cardiovascular CoE combines the scale and integration of a formal Center of Excellence with the global expertise that Johns Hopkins Medicine has cultivated over decades.

This collaboration establishes a new benchmark for heart and vascular services across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Patients now have access to advanced, globally recognized care standards without facing the disruption and expense of international travel.

The center aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader healthcare transformation, bringing world-class medical services directly to those who need them most.