--- title: "Study Confirms Virtual Pharmacy Care Helps Heart Patients | Sutter Health" description: "A peer-reviewed study confirms Sutter Health's pharmacist-led virtual care program helps heart failure patients manage complex conditions and stay on track." url: "https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation/novel-idea-for-heart-patients-shows-promise-research-confirms" --- 1. [Home](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Research & innovation](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation) / 3. Novel Idea For Heart Patients Shows Promise Research Confirms # Novel Idea for Heart Patients Shows Promise, Research Confirms A peer-reviewed study confirms Sutter Health's pharmacist-led virtual care program helps heart failure patients manage complex conditions and stay on track. July 29, 2025 by Marycon Young ![Novel Idea for Heart Patients Shows Promise, Research Confirms](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/research-and-innovation/Telehealth-consultation-3-scaled-471b2f1b.jpg?h=1708&iar=0&w=2560 "Novel Idea for Heart Patients Shows Promise, Research Confirms") This should get your heart pumping. What began as a small, pharmacist-led pilot at Sutter Health has grown into a full-scale virtual care program helping patients. And a peer-reviewed [study](https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.101906) in Journal of the American College of Cardiology confirms its impact. The pilot, conducted with Sutter patients and in collaboration with the University of Southern California, focused on individuals with heart failure, which is a diagnosis made for patients whose hearts are not pumping as well as they should. These patients were identified to benefit from guideline-directed medical therapy. This approach offers a trusted playbook based on solid science and has been shown to help people with similar conditions live longer, feel better and reduce hospitalizations. “This study highlights how pharmacists can make a meaningful impact through virtual care,” said Christine Chan, a pharmacist and clinical director of pharmacy in the Bay Area for Sutter Health, who also served as the principal investigator of the study. “By partnering closely with patients and care teams, we’re helping people manage complex conditions and stay on track with their health.” That early success laid the groundwork for what is now the [Virtual Pharmacy Ambulatory Care Clinic](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/how-a-virtual-pharmacy-is-leading-to-better-heart-health/)—Sutter Health’s full-scale virtual program that continues to build on the pilot’s impact. Read more about the [breakthrough study](https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.101906). ## Topics [Heart Disease](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Heart+Disease%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles) ## Heart failure Living well with a weakened heart is possible with the right care and support. If you're dealing with heart failure, our specialists can provide medications, monitoring and lifestyle guidance to help you stay active. [Learn more about Heart failure](https://www.sutterhealth.org/services/heart-failure) ## Related articles ### [National Honors Recognize Sutter Health’s Excellence in Stroke and Heart Care](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/our-people/national-honors-recognize-sutter-healths-excellence-in-stroke-and-heart-care) ### [A Heartfelt Comeback Through Coordinated Care](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/a-heartfelt-comeback-through-coordinated-care) ### [How a Virtual Pharmacy Is Leading to Better Heart Health](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/how-a-virtual-pharmacy-is-leading-to-better-heart-health) ### [Sutter Hospitals Earn 23 Awards from American Heart Association](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/media-resources/press-releases/sutter-hospitals-earn-awards-from-aha) [See all from Research & innovation](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation) ## Check your Vitals Get the latest in health innovation, community impact and patient care from Sutter Health — delivered straight to your inbox. 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