George G. Sokos, D.O., FACC, has been named chair of the School of Medicine Department of Cardiology, a role he’s served in an interim capacity since the department’s formation in the fall of 2023.
“At WVU, we are deeply committed to improving cardiovascular health across West Virginia and extending our impact to neighboring regions, focusing on preventing cardiovascular events and providing outstanding care to those already living with heart disease,” Dr. Sokos said. “Where someone lives should never determine the quality of care they receive. We aim to ensure that every WVU Heart and Vascular Institute location provides the highest level of care possible. While some advanced services are centralized at our flagship campus in Morgantown, we are leveraging innovative technology to extend state-of-the-art care throughout the state.”
Sokos said that, as chair, he will help the department continue its mission of delivering world-class cardiovascular care and groundbreaking research while recruiting top-tier faculty.
“Through the efforts of our outstanding physicians and multidisciplinary healthcare team, we are dedicated to advancing cardiovascular medicine and ensuring excellence across all of our locations,” he said.
Sokos is the primary point of contact for all cardiology services at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, working closely with hospitals throughout the WVU Health System to advance cardiology care and enhance the program's national reputation.
“Dr. Sokos’s leadership in the interim role showcased his exceptional vision in moving the department forward, placing a particular importance on our academic medical center mission,” Clay Marsh, M.D., chancellor and executive dean for Health Sciences, said. “I’m thrilled to have him continue in this role on a permanent basis.”
Sokos continues to serve as a professor and medical director of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute's Advanced Heart Failure Program and the WVU Medicine Transplant Alliance's Heart Transplant Program.
“Dr. Sokos has been an excellent leader and partner as the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute has expanded to over 25 clinical sites over the past five years,” said Vinay Badhwar, M.D., executive chair of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute and Service Line. “Under his leadership and our many superb cardiology colleagues, including vice-chair Dr. Ramesh Daggubati, the commitment to service and quality that Dr. Sokos and his team have implemented serve to provide sustainable access to advanced cardiology services across West Virginia and all we serve. I could not be more proud and grateful for his leadership of the new Department of Cardiology.”
He has published multiple papers in high-impact journals and serves on numerous national committees of the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation.
Most recently, Sokos was elected Governor for the State Chapter of the American College of Cardiology (ACC). He will serve as Governor-Elect in 2025 and transition to Governor in 2026.
In this role, Dr. Sokos will advocate for advancing cardiovascular care and improving heart health across the state, focusing on addressing the unique challenges rural communities face. He will work closely with leaders across West Virginia and collaborate with national leaders in the ACC to ensure equitable access to high-quality cardiovascular care for all West Virginians.
He has served as a clinical investigator in more than 50 clinical trials in heart failure, transplantation, mechanical circulatory support and pulmonary hypertension, and he has received funding from the AHA, ACC, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Prior to joining WVU Medicine, Sokos was the program director of the Allegheny Health Network Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantation Fellowship Program. He was also an assistant professor of medicine at the Drexel University College of Medicine and a cardiologist at Allegheny General Hospital's heart failure and transplant program.
He received a pharmacy degree from WVU and his medical degree from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Allegheny General Hospital, where he also served as chief resident and completed two fellowships: one in cardiovascular medicine at Allegheny General Hospital and one in heart failure and cardiac transplant medicine at the Cleveland Clinic.
For more information on the Department of Cardiology, visit medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/cardiology.
-WVU-
ct 12/2/24
MEDIA CONTACT: Cassie Thomas
Director of Communications and Marketing
WVU School of Medicine
304-293-3412; cassie.thomas@hsc.wvu.edu