Taking the next step with cardiac care

Sacred Heart aligns with leading cardiovascular surgeons to provide world-class heart care

Spokane, WA—Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital has agreed to purchase the practice assets and to employ the physicians and staff of Northwest Heart & Lung Surgical Associates, PS, as part of a shared vision to advance cardiovascular services in the region.

Northwest Heart & Lung, a group of cardiovascular surgeons, started discussions with Sacred Heart administrators early in 2006 about ensuring long-term access to quality, comprehensive cardiac care for patients across the region.

The surgeons will assume a leadership role in managing the Medical Center’s cardiothoracic surgery program, focusing on patient-centered care through innovation and clinical quality.

“This action assures access to technologically advanced heart care for a long time to come,” says Mike Wilson, Sacred Heart president. Nationally, the supply of cardiac surgeons is diminishing and skilled local surgeons are being actively recruited to relocate outside of Spokane. Numerous heart hospitals throughout the nation are taking similar steps to retain cardiothoracic surgical specialists and attract the highest qualified heart surgeons to growing cardiac programs.

“I work with an incredible team of surgeons who have enormous talent,” says Bill Coleman, MD, a cardiovascular surgeon and president of Northwest Heart & Lung Surgical Associates. Two of the leading cardiac robotic surgeons in the world, Leland Siwek, MD, and Branden Reynolds, MD, currently head the minimally invasive cardiac robotic program at Sacred Heart, the only one of its kind in the Northwest. In fact, Dr. Siwek opted to stay at Northwest Heart & Lung after being aggressively recruited by a national competitor.

“Sacred Heart’s cardiac program currently ranks in the top 10 percent nationwide in patient care and quality,” adds Dr. Coleman. “So affiliating with a prestigious major medical center such as Sacred Heart is a natural next step,” he adds. “It allows us to practice high quality, advanced medicine in an environment that is totally focused on the patient.”

The surgeons of Northwest Heart & Lung will continue to provide cardiovascular surgery expertise at Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital, as well as Deaconess Medical Center, Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene (Idaho) and Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee (Washington).

Sacred Heart is among the leading heart hospitals in the country in terms of the quality and depth of heart care services provided. The Medical Center was again named a Top 100 Cardiac Hospital in the nation and has been consistently recognized for its quality program by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. It offers a full range of cardiovascular care with specialty focus in pediatrics, robotics, thoracic and vascular surgery—as well as heart transplant and mechanical hearts.

“We are extremely fortunate to have world-class cardiac surgeons right here in Spokane, with vast expertise in a wide range of cardiovascular surgery,” says Wilson. “Our goal is to retain these extraordinary professionals, continue to attract top cardiac surgeons from across the country, and make Spokane a destination for patients throughout the nation.”

With a nationally recognized heart transplant and mechanical heart program, the expansion of the Children’s Hospital in 2003, a new surgery center in 2004, a second da Vinci robot for minimally invasive surgery added in 2006, and new imaging and electrophysiology areas completed just recently, the services provided at Sacred Heart are comprehensive. In addition, it is home to the Providence Medical Research Center, which continues to build on the excellent national reputation of the former Heart Institute of Spokane.

Sacred Heart has one of the largest heart valve surgery programs in the country and the largest in the state, plus its congenital heart program is well established and respected. In fact, cardiac surgeons at the Medical Center perform twice as many cardiovascular procedures as any other hospital in Washington State.

“Experience is worth trusting,” says Dr. Coleman. “When surgeons perform certain procedures frequently, it allows for a higher level of expertise and produces better outcomes for patients,” he says. He adds, “This is all about patient care—guaranteeing top quality medical care close to home for a long time to come.”

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About Northwest Heart & Lung Surgical Associates

• The practice was established in 1952 by Dr. Ralph Berg, Jr., and now has offices in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene and Wenatchee.



• Highly skilled surgeons include:
  Click any name to see a profile.
  
  
  Robert J. Burnett III, MD
  William S. Coleman, MD
  D. Vern Holbert, MD
  Jack J. Leonard, MD
  Steven J. Nisco, MD
  Branden R. Reynolds, MD
  John R. Rowles, MD
  Leland G. Siwek, MD
  Mandya Vishwanath, MD
  Neil K. Worrall, MD
  

About Sacred Heart’s Cardiac Program

• Sacred Heart is one of the country’s most experienced providers of robotic heart surgery. That means smaller scars, less pain, faster recovery times and more precision for procedures such as mitral valve repairs, bypass surgery and atrial septal defect repairs.



• The Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital and pediatric cardiac program has a whole team of cardiac specialists ready to treat even the most complex congenital heart defects with innovative surgical and non-invasive procedures.



• Sacred Heart has a mechanical heart and heart transplant center. Our skilled and compassionate cardiac team of experts works in concert with the field’s most advanced technology to achieve patient survival rates that rank among the nation’s highest.



• In a new program called Cardiac Level 1, the Medical Center partners with rural hospitals to rapidly transfer heart attack patients to Sacred Heart, ensuring the right care, at the right time, at the right place.



• Sacred Heart is home to a certified primary stroke center. So if the unforeseen does happen, Sacred Heart’s team of nationally recognized experts is prepared to offer faster treatment for better outcomes.
  
  
• Sacred Heart has a world-class research department involved in stunning new breakthroughs for innovative surgery, carotid stents, new medications, improved procedure techniques and better devices—all with the sole purpose of providing patients with improved quality of life.



• Sacred Heart recently opened a state-of-the-art surgery center, complete with advanced technology, dedicated cardiovascular surgery suites and experienced staff.



• Specialized inpatient units ensure the appropriate level of care for every condition or treatment. A fully monitored cardiac intensive care unit provides critical care following major surgery, plus an advanced care unit provides 24-hour monitoring.



• Cardiac catheterization labs are staffed with technologists and cardiovascular registered nurses who assist cardiologists in performing vascular procedures using the latest digital imaging equipment and technology.



• Newly opened electrophysiology laboratories are among the most sophisticated in the nation.

For more information, visit www.shmc.org or call (509) 47-HEART.