In 2010, Todd Wanek, CEO of Ashley Furniture, and his wife, Karen Wanek, pioneered a platform for curing congenital heart disease. Motivated by their daughter Gabrielle’s journey, they launched the Todd and Karen Wanek Family Program for Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) at Mayo Clinic, a groundbreaking initiative to advance stem cell research for individuals born with CHD.
Thanks to the program’s remarkable work and the Wanek family’s continued support, HeartWorks was created in 2020 to bring that research out of the lab and develop treatments and products for today’s generation.
To spark bold innovation that transforms our broken healthcare system into one that truly heals.
To find cures for congenital heart defects and change lives.
A future where people with CHD thrive with a focus on longevity, not just temporary solutions.
We are a dedicated team singularly focused on congenital heart disease (CHD). Every day (since 2010!) we work to strengthen hearts, expand treatment options, and improve outcomes for the 1 in 100 families affected by CHD.
Our team brings together diverse expertise from scientific discovery and clinical innovation to patient engagement and community leadership. Through this collaborative team of teams approach, HeartWorks unites heart families, clinicians, researchers, donors, and partners around one shared commitment: advancing solutions for congenital heart disease.
Together, we are building a new model for CHD care by developing breakthrough therapies, preparing care teams, and ensuring innovation reaches the families who need it most.
We Build Hearts – from discovery to delivery.
