Keeping world-class cardiac care close to home
We take it for granted. Cardiac care offered here rivals that of the largest medical centers in the country. And Spokane is quickly gaining acclaim for its world-class heart and vascular physicians and surgeons.
So it only makes sense that Sacred Heart and its physician partners have come together to develop a new center of excellence for heart and vascular care—the Providence Heart & Vascular Institute of Spokane. The goal? To ensure long-term access to quality, comprehensive heart care for patients throughout the region.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in America, and therapeutic options are increasingly improving outcomes. More and more heart patients—from Seattle to Oklahoma—are coming to Spokane for care.
And indeed Sacred Heart has a lot to offer.
Several of our programs—particularly minimally invasive robotic surgery, complicated heart cases, pediatric heart care, mechanical hearts and heart transplant expertise—are unique for this region.
Two key components
On January 7, 2008, Sacred Heart announced it would employ the 10 cardiovascular surgeons at Northwest Heart & Lung Surgical Associates effective March 1. This agreement creates a center of excellence to retain top cardiac surgeons and attract the best cardiovascular physicians from across the country. In addition, the surgeons will continue to provide their expertise at Deaconess Medical Center, Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d’Alene and Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee.
Executive Leadership Council
Back row (L to R): Michael Williams, MD; Kris Becker, RN; Doug Wysham, MD; Andrew Boulet, MD; David Sandler, MD; Guy Katz, MD; Joel Galloway, MD. Front row (L to R): Hrair Garabedian, MD; Elaine Couture, COO; Branden Reynolds, MD; Gerard Fischer, VP; Carol Sheridan, VP; Tom Pellow, MD. |
Also, eight independent cardiac physician group practices in Spokane recently signed an agreement to co-manage the Providence Heart & Vascular Institute at Sacred Heart through a newly formed Executive Leadership Council.
“All of us are working together to set a new standard for patient-centered care at Sacred Heart through innovation, clinical quality, research and compassionate care,” says Andrew Boulet, MD, a cardiologist with Heart Clinics Northwest.
“We now have physicians from all cardiovascular practices in Spokane engaged in a collaborative spirit to co-manage Sacred Heart’s heart and vascular program,” he adds.
The Council is responsible for all aspects of Sacred Heart’s program, including day-to-day operations, identifying efficiencies and long-range strategic planning in an expanding geographic area. In January, council members elected Dr. Boulet as chairman and Douglas Wysham, MD, as vice chair, both for two-year terms.
“Our goal is to provide the most advanced, quality care to patients of all ages,” says Dr. Wysham, a Rockwood Clinic interventional cardiologist. “While we have always practiced at Sacred Heart, this new structure gives us a voice in working together to find even better ways of serving our patients.”
The Executive Leadership Council brings together representatives from:
- Heart Clinics Northwest (cardiology)
- Inland Cardiology Associates (cardiology)
- Inland Vascular Institute (vascular surgery)
- Northwest Cardiothoracic & Transplant Surgeons (cardiothoracic, mechanical heart transplant surgery)
- Northwest Center for Congenital Heart (pediatric and congenital cardiology)
- Northwest Heart & Lung Surgical Associates (cardiothoracic and vascular surgery)
- Rockwood Clinic (cardiology)
- Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital
- Spokane Cardiology (cardiology)
Recognized nationally
Sacred Heart’s cardiac program ranks among the top 10 percent in patient care and quality in the U.S. and it was recently named one of the Top 100 Heart Hospitals in the country. The 623-bed facility is the largest medical center between Minneapolis and Seattle, and performs twice as many cardiovascular procedures than any other hospital in the state.That experience and expertise ensures that patients receive world-class cardiac care.
In fact, Sacred Heart is the only hospital in Washington offering minimally invasive cardiac surgical procedures with two da VinciTM robots, led by world-renowned cardiac surgeons. These procedures significantly reduce hospitalization and recovery time for patients.
“Sacred Heart offers the full continuum of heart care to patients of all ages, which differentiates it from other hospitals in the region,” notes Bill Murphy, MD, a cardiologist who is also president of Inland Cardiology Associates and a member of the Executive Leadership Council.
In addition, Sacred Heart is home to the Providence Medical Research Center that builds on the excellent national reputation of the former Heart Institute of Spokane. Sacred Heart physicians and staff are involved in research projects, including innovative stents, new medications, improved procedure techniques and better devices, all with the purpose of providing patients with improved quality of life.
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