On 25th July 2026, Northern Heart Hospital Penang welcomed general practitioners, healthcare professionals, and invited guests to the Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel, Penang, for a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme and the official launch of the Northern Heart Hospital Penang Aortic Centre, marking another important milestone in advancing specialised heart and vascular care for the people of Penang and the northern region
The event brought together leading experts in cardiothoracic and vascular surgery for an afternoon of clinical learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration. More than just the unveiling of a new specialist centre, it reinforced the importance of early recognition, timely referral, and multidisciplinary management of complex aortic diseases.
Modern Aortic Care: Precision, Innovation & Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Held at the Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel, Penang, the event, “The Modern Aortic Centre: Precision, Innovation & Excellence”, marked more than just a Continuing Medical Education (CME) programme.
It also celebrated the official launch of the Northern Heart Hospital Penang Aortic Centre — a dedicated multidisciplinary centre established to diagnose, treat, and manage complex aortic diseases through a coordinated, patient-centred approach.
Why This Matters: Aortic Disease Is Often a Silent Killer
The aorta is the body’s largest artery, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to every organ. When disease affects the aorta, the consequences can be life-threatening.
Conditions such as aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection often develop silently, with many patients experiencing little to no symptoms until a medical emergency occurs.
Because of this silent nature, many patients are only diagnosed when the disease has already progressed significantly.
Early recognition and prompt referral remain key to improving survival and reducing complications.
Throughout the afternoon, attendees gained valuable insights into:
- Recognising the warning signs of aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection
- Understanding the latest advances in diagnosis and treatment
- Knowing when to refer patients for specialist assessment
- How a dedicated multidisciplinary Aortic Centre improves patient outcomes
- The importance of collaboration between primary care and specialist services
Building Knowledge First: CME Sessions on Aortic Disease
The event began with a welcome address by Ms. Kelen Leong, Chief Executive Officer of Northern Heart Hospital Penang, who welcomed healthcare professionals and reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to advancing cardiovascular care through innovation, collaboration, and continuous medical education.
The afternoon then continued with two Continuing Medical Education (CME) sessions, providing general practitioners and healthcare professionals with practical updates on the latest developments in aortic disease management.
CME Session 1: Aortic Dissection: Not to be Missed
The first session was delivered by Prof. Dato’ Dr. Basheer Ahamed, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon.
His presentation focused on recognising one of the most life-threatening cardiovascular emergencies — aortic dissection. He discussed its clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges, and the importance of rapid intervention, emphasising that timely diagnosis can significantly improve patient survival.
CME Session 2: The Modern Aortic Centre: Precision, Innovation & Excellence
This was followed by the second CME session by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Edward Choke, Consultant Vascular Surgeon.
His session explored how modern aortic centres are transforming patient care through precision medicine, advanced imaging, minimally invasive interventions, and multidisciplinary collaboration. He highlighted how coordinated care enables patients to receive personalised treatment throughout every stage of their healthcare journey.
The CME sessions concluded with an interactive discussion, where attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with both specialists, discuss clinical scenarios, and exchange practical experiences.
Together, the sessions reinforced one key takeaway:
Effective management of aortic disease begins with early recognition, timely referral, and multidisciplinary specialist care.
A Defining Moment: The Official Launch of the Aortic Centre
Following the CME sessions, the event transitioned into the official launch of the Northern Heart Hospital Penang Aortic Centre.
Dr. Tan Chiang Soo, Hospital PIC, shared the vision behind establishing the Aortic Centre and highlighted Northern Heart Hospital Penang’s commitment to delivering comprehensive care for patients with complex aortic diseases.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Edward Choke then introduced the Aortic Centre, outlining its multidisciplinary model and how it brings together vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, imaging specialists, nurses, and allied health professionals to provide seamless patient care.
The ceremony culminated in the official launch, where Dr. Tan Chiang Soo, Prof. Dato’ Dr. Basheer Ahamed, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Edward Choke officiated the symbolic launch of the Aortic Centre, marking another important milestone in advancing specialised heart and vascular care for the people of Penang and the northern region.
Guests were then invited to watch a short video showcasing the vision, expertise, and comprehensive services offered by the Northern Heart Hospital Penang Aortic Centre.
A Powerful Patient Story That Inspired Everyone
One of the most inspiring moments of the afternoon was hearing a Penangite share his personal journey of surviving an aortic condition.
His testimony served as a powerful reminder that listening to your body and seeking a second—or even a third—medical opinion can make all the difference.
His courage and resilience resonated deeply with everyone in attendance, reinforcing the importance of early diagnosis and timely specialist intervention.
Expert Dialogue: Lessons from Real-World Aortic Emergencies
The programme concluded with an engaging panel discussion moderated by Dr. Tan Chiang Soo, featuring Prof. Dato’ Dr. Basheer Ahamed and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Edward Choke.
Together, they shared their experiences in managing complex aortic emergencies, discussing referral pathways, treatment strategies, multidisciplinary collaboration, and the future of specialised aortic care in Malaysia.
The interactive Q&A session provided healthcare professionals with the opportunity to ask questions, discuss real-world cases, and gain practical insights directly from the specialists.
Inside the Northern Heart Hospital Penang Aortic Centre
The newly launched Aortic Centre provides comprehensive care for patients with diseases affecting the thoracic and abdominal aorta, including:
- Advanced diagnostic assessment and cardiovascular imaging
- Management of aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections
- Open surgical and minimally invasive endovascular procedures
- Multidisciplinary consultation with cardiothoracic and vascular specialists
- Personalised treatment planning and long-term follow-up
This multidisciplinary approach ensures patients receive accurate diagnosis, timely treatment, and continuous care—all within a single specialised centre.
A Meaningful Launch, A Stronger Mission Ahead
The launch of the Aortic Centre concluded with a full house, engaging discussions, and a shared commitment to improving the future of aortic care.
At Northern Heart Hospital Penang, Restoring Rhythm of Life is more than a tagline—it is our commitment to providing specialised, compassionate, and evidence-based cardiovascular care.
As the first purpose-built cardiac and vascular specialist hospital in Penang and the northern region, we remain dedicated to raising awareness, promoting early detection, and delivering advanced multidisciplinary care for patients with complex heart and vascular conditions.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, or another aortic condition, don’t delay seeking expert advice. Early diagnosis can make all the difference.
More to Come in 2026
The launch of the Northern Heart Hospital Penang Aortic Centre marks another milestone in our journey to advance specialised cardiovascular care.
Throughout 2026, Northern Heart Hospital Penang will continue to organise Continuing Medical Education (CME) programmes, community health initiatives, and public awareness campaigns to empower both healthcare professionals and the community through education.
Stay connected with us through our website and social media channels as we continue our mission of Restoring Rhythm of Life.