Meet Dr. Bennett, a heart failure cardiologist and researcher

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"Any problem with the heart pumping, squeezing or circulating is what I'm interested in," said Mosi Bennett, MD, PhD, a heart failure cardiologist with Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute and researcher with the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF).

Dr. Bennett, a specialist in transplant cardiology, is renowned for his expertise in treating patients with advanced heart failure. He is the guiding force in their care, leading them through minimally invasive procedures, open heart surgeries, and heart transplants with confidence and skill. In addition to his leadership in clinical care, Dr. Bennett is an active investigator in heart failure research at MHIF. His work focuses on novel therapies, new medical technologies and opportunities to contribute to community access to care.

Expert care

Joni, 70, has been Dr. Bennett's patient for 11 years. She credits him as the reason she is still alive. For three decades, she has been living with heart failure. She said she noticed changes in her heartbeat shortly after a flu-like illness.

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"They kept saying it was stress, and I go, 'No. It's more than stress," said Joni. "When I was in the hospital back then, the doctors did an echo [echocardiogram], and that is where they found it was an enlarged left ventricle.”

Soon after becoming a patient with Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, she began seeing Dr. Bennett at the Advanced Heart Failure Clinic. 

“We had to talk about some pretty serious things, and of course I worry. And he said, ‘let me do all the worrying. That's my job.’ He has such knowledge and expertise. It’s just amazing, and people have told me I have a dream team,” added Joni.

Part of a world-class team

As Dr. Bennett guided Joni's care, her heart 'dream team', which already included cardiologist Quirino Orlandi, MD, grew to incorporate the president of Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, William Katsiyiannis, MD, MS. He performed the procedure to implant her defibrillator at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. This device delivers an electric shock to correct irregular heartbeats.

Paul Sorajja, MD, a global leader in structural heart disease interventions and research, is also on the team. He performed a minimally invasive procedure called transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) to help repair Joni’s mitral valve. Dr. Sorajja’s research at MHIF has directly contributed to the advance in treatments available for the mitral valve, which acts as a door that separates the left atrium from the left ventricle and keeps blood from regurgitating or flowing backward. Dr. Sorajja gave Joni a Mitra Clip to help her mitral valve decrease regurgitation.

"That mitral valve clip was beneficial for me," added Joni. "It went from severe to trace regurgitation right after the surgery."

Trusted Health Ally

The MVP of this 'dream team' may be Joni herself. By February of 2025, her tests improved enough to keep her off the heart transplant list. 

"She does an amazing job of following instructions, listening to her body, taking her medicine, following up, not missing clinic visits," said Dr. Bennett.

Joni is incredibly disciplined. As a retiree, she meticulously checks the sodium levels of every grocery item she buys, even making her own pizza crust to satisfy her cravings within her dietary restrictions. She walks her dog multiple times a day, monitors her liquid intake, checks her blood pressure and weighs herself daily, all to ensure she is managing her heart failure effectively.

Joni says she would not feel this good at 70 without faith, family, friends and Dr. Bennett's constant guidance and compassion. "He just cares about everything. I always tell people there is only one thing wrong with him, and that is his football team. He is a big Baltimore Ravens fan, and I am a Pittsburgh Steelers fan," added Joni as she chuckled.

Purpose

As the son of an orthopedic surgeon and a radiologist, it almost seems as if Dr. Bennett was destined to do this work. At Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute, he has merged the research skills honed during his PhD studies with those gained at medical school to deliver expert care.

"I see my work as more than taking care of patients inside the clinic. Through the work with clinical trials and medical devices, we can improve lives," said Dr. Bennett. "Plus, I like helping people."