Memorial and Chattanooga Heart Institute to become one

Published 1:31 pm Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Memorial Health Care System, a 100 Top Hospital, and The Chattanooga Heart Institute, the region’s largest cardiology group, announced that they will integrate services to create the region’s premier provider of cardiology services.  This alignment culminates a 30-year relationship between the two organizations and will lead to enhanced collaboration, improved health outcomes and exceptional patient care.

In an era of healthcare reform, healthcare providers are engaged in clinically integrating networks to help manage costs while enhancing quality through implementing evidence-based medicine.  “Strengthening the alignment of physicians and the hospital supports our mutual desire to create an integrated cardiology program that enhances the high-quality care patients have come to expect from Memorial and CHI”, said James Hobson, President and CEO, Memorial Health Care System.

Memorial Health Care System, founded by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth more than 50 years ago, is the recognized leader in providing cardiac care to the Chattanooga region.  For better patient outcomes, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology recommend that a facility meet or exceed a minimum volume of 200 cardiac procedures per year. Memorial performs more than 800.  Emergency Centers at Memorial and Memorial North Park are each Accredited Chest Pain Centers.

The 23 board-certified cardiologists at The Chattanooga Heart Institute have led the region’s largest diagnostic, treatment, research and rehabilitation center dedicated solely to cardiovascular care for the past 33 years.

“At this transformational time in the history of health care, the combined strengths of the region’s leaders in cardiovascular care will provide our patients access to a network of physicians and leaders focused on delivering efficient, evidence-based medicine with outcomes that surpass national standards,” said Paul Farmer, CEO, The Chattanooga Heart Institute.

Following the integration, The Chattanooga Heart Institute physicians and staff will be employed by Memorial and will continue to provide services at all current hospital and clinic locations – Memorial Glenwood, Memorial North Park, Erlanger Medical Center and Skyridge Medical Center.  Patients of both organizations will benefit from a full continuum of exceptional care options, from the prevention and diagnosis of heart disease to the latest medical research and leading-edge treatments available.