After decades of dedication to cardiac care in Alaska, Dr. Mario Binder is retiring from Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute. His journey from Czechoslovakia to the Last Frontier is a testament to adventure, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to his patients and community.

An Adventurous Beginning

Dr. Binder’s path to Alaska was anything but conventional. Originally from Czechoslovakia, he studied medicine in Prague before continuing his education in Tucson, AZ, and Albuquerque, NM. After medical school studies and cardiology training in New Mexico, Mario and Bertha made the bold decision to relocate to Alaska, drawn by the promise of adventure, the exceptional people they met during their interviews, and the opportunity to raise their family in a truly unique place.

When asked what attracted him to AHVI, Dr. Binder replied simply: “The people I met,” referring to future colleagues and friends. That human connection would become the defining thread of his Alaska career.

Building Excellence in the Last Frontier

Practicing cardiology in Alaska came with challenges…being on cardiology call meant providing specialized care for almost the entire state of Alaska. There was the occasional moose blocking traffic, the need to understand the physical demands of hunting and fishing when advising patients, and the seasonal influx of cruise ship visitors requiring cardiac care.

Dr. Binder was part of AHVI becoming what he proudly calls “the best practice in Alaska and one of the top practices in the United States.” He was instrumental in bringing state-of-the-art cardiac imaging to Alaska, including cardiac MRI and PET-CT technology that has transformed how heart disease is diagnosed and treated.

A Career Defined by Innovation and Compassion

Throughout his career, Dr. Binder has witnessed remarkable changes in cardiology: from advanced cardiac imaging to TAVR procedures, complex arrhythmia ablations, and new medications that have revolutionized cardiac treatments. He embraced innovation, helping with transitioning the practice into the electronic medical records and digital imaging era.

But ask Dr. Binder what he’s most proud of, and the answer always circles back to the same place: “Making a difference in our patients’ lives” and “the unique friendships” formed along the way. Besides dealing with challenging pathology and medical social issues, the most enjoyable aspect of his practice was getting to know his patients and their families. As a patient advocate and champion for access to care, Dr. Binder’s legacy extends beyond medical procedures and technological advances.

Looking Ahead

When asked about his decision to retire, Dr. Binder is characteristically direct: “It is time.” He looks forward to sleeping, reclaiming his health, and being more present for his wife, Dr. Bertha Tien, whom he acknowledges as essential to everything he’s accomplished. Together, they are both excitedly looking forward to being involved with their kids, Sasha and Kai, as they make their own impact in careers in medicine.

Retirement doesn’t mean leaving Alaska entirely. Dr. Binder plans to spend at least part of every year here, drawn by the long summer days, fishing, mushrooming, skiing, stunning sunsets, and the “winter white serenity” that make Alaska home. He’s also excited to continue to pursue his flight simulation hobby and perhaps one day earn his glider pilot license, a fitting next chapter for a cardiologist who once served as a Flight Surgeon in the Air National Guard.

He hopes to continue teaching the next generation of health care professionals, sharing the wisdom gained from decades in the clinic, at hospital bedsides, and in the cath lab.

A Message of Gratitude

Dr. Binder’s advice to the next generation of cardiologists: “Try to come up with a good work/life balance and appreciate your spouse/partner—you could not do this without them! Always try your best to do the right thing by thinking, ‘What would I do if this patient were my own family?’”

His final message to the community he has served for so many years captures the humility and compassion that defined his practice: “It has been MY privilege and thank you ALL for everything.”

The Alaska Heart and Vascular Institute family, along with countless patients whose lives Dr. Binder has touched and improved, extends our deepest gratitude for his years of exceptional service. While we’ll miss his expertise and dedication, we celebrate this well-deserved next chapter.

Thank you, Dr. Binder, for your heart—both the medical expertise you brought to Alaska and the compassion with which you treated every patient.