Tuesday, February 14, 2012

The State’s Largest Cardiovascular Network

Starting in December 2009, cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists and St. Vincent leaders worked closely for seven months to develop a bold vision for the future of cardiovascular care in our community and throughout Arkansas. Today, we are proud to announce the first step in realizing that bold vision: our partnership with 29 cardiologists at Heart Clinic Arkansas and three cardiovascular surgeons (Dr. F. Michael Bauer, Dr. Frederick Meadors and Dr. Charles Watkins) and the development of the Jack Stephens Heart Institute at St Vincent.

The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth founded St. Vincent in 1888 and have built a long-standing tradition of and commitment to excellence for nearly 125 years. That legacy is shared by the state’s most experienced heart surgeons and the exceptionally trained and highly specialized cardiologists at Heart Clinic Arkansas. Together, we now provide Arkansans with a comprehensive range of cardiovascular services at 23 clinic locations throughout the state and three hospital campuses in central Arkansas.
Working as true partners over the days, weeks and months ahead, the Heart Institute – including cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists and skilled leaders at St. Vincent, along with other specialty physicians and clinicians – will develop a nationally recognized center for cardiovascular care showcasing the best physicians, most skilled staff, latest technologies and leading-edge procedures. We will also radically transform the quality, service, safety and affordability of cardiovascular care for the entire state. And we will provide treatment in the holistic tradition of St. Vincent – treating not only the heart but the entire body, mind and spirit.

To jump-start this bold vision, St. Vincent has committed to invest $36 million in the latest diagnostic and treatment technology available in the market today. The investments in St. Vincent Infirmary and St. Vincent North will include four new cardiovascular operating suites, seven new cardiac catheterization labs, two state-of-the-art CT scanners, and renovations to and expansion of inpatient and critical-care units.

The centerpiece of this major investment is a hybrid surgical suite and cardiac catheterization lab – the first and only such cardiac hybrid suite in Arkansas and one of just a few among the most prestigious heart centers in the United States. This hybrid suite combines imaging and surgery to allow cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists and radiologists to treat the patient simultaneously and perform procedures right here in Arkansas that, until now, required travel outside of our state.
I sincerely hope you and your physicians always choose St. Vincent for your care! We are making the vision of truly world-class health care become a reality at the Jack Stephens Heart Institute and throughout St. Vincent Health System.

Best regards,
Peter D. Banko
President & CEO
St. Vincent Health System