Memorial Hermann Expands Heart and Vascular Offerings

Memorial Hermann is committed to ensuring access to high-quality, innovative heart care. As part of this commitment, Memorial Hermann Hospital and Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital in the Texas Medical Center, as well as Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital and Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital, have established the Memorial Hermann Heart Institute. All but Children’s will build new, state-of-the-art facilities to house their programs. In fact, it’s spreading clear out to the Woodlands.

“Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital has expanded its heart and vascular service line to include diagnostic, interventional and acute cardiac care,” says Wendy Mead, RN, director of cardiology and pulmonology. For the youngest of patients, Memorial Hermann Children’s Hospital has established a children’s heart institute.

“Memorial Hermann’s expanded heart and vascular programs will allow more patients to access services and receive treatment in state-of-the-art settings equipped with the latest tools and technologies,” explains Memorial Hermann Healthcare System President and CEO Dan Wolterman.

The Heart Institutes
Located at the center of healthcare services in Houston, the Memorial Hermann Heart and Vascular Institute-Texas Medical Center offers top quality, comprehensive services for the full continuum of heart and vascular needs—prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. When it’s complete in 2006, the new freestanding Institute building will exceed the standard for cardiovascular services inside the renowned Texas Medical Center. Connected via skybridge to professional office buildings and Memorial Hermann Hospital, the 140,000-square-foot Institute will offer leading-edge cardiovascular programs and technology.

A freestanding facility, the Memorial Hermann Heart Institute- Southwest Hospital, scheduled to open in the summer of 2006, will combine patient care and physician office space with patient beds, an intensive care unit, cardiac catheterization labs, operating rooms and a diagnostic center.

The Memorial Hermann Heart Institute-Memorial City Hospital will consolidate the hospital’s comprehensive heart services on the top three floors of the east tower building. With the build-out expected to be completed later this year, the institute will include patient beds, cardiac catheterization labs, expanded cardiac imaging and diagnostic capabilities and more.

With renowned pediatric cardiovascular surgeon Brad Allen, MD, at the helm as medical director, the new Memorial Hermann Children’s Heart Institute will bring the very best in heart and vascular care to the children of Texas and beyond.

According to Sandra Zwick, assistant vice president of hospital operations, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital has been in the planning process to expand its heart and vascular program for some time.

“We’ve been phasing in one service at a time,” says Zwick. “This has allowed us to be sure that our services are of high quality and that we have complete collaboration among physicians and the hospital.”

Thanks to the expansion of its programs, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital has a full line of diagnostic cardiology services. Just last year, the hospital added a diagnostic cardiac catheterization lab, which has evolved and now offers interventional cardiac catheterization. Cardiac catheterization is a potentially life-saving procedure for diagnosing heart problems. It involves insertion of a thin plastic tube, or catheter, into an artery or vein in the arm or leg to detect blockages consisting of cholesterol buildup.

“Our patients have enjoyed tremendous success, thanks to our highly skilled physicians who go the extra mile to ensure the best possible care,” says Zwick.

So, what’ s next for Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital?

According to Mead, “We will continue to expand our heart and vascular services to ensure our patients receive the most advanced treatments available. After all, we are committed to serving the ‘hearts’ of this community.”

For more information on Memorial Hermann’s heart and vascular program, call 713-222-CARE.