Munroe Regional Medical Center, the region's leader in cardiovascular services, has announced an exclusive partnership with four nationally recognized open-heart surgeons and four cardiovascular anesthesiologists. In conjunction with this exclusive partnership, Munroe Regional Medical Center is announcing the name Munroe Heart, which will be used to represent the Medical Center's cardiovascular center of excellence.

As a result of this innovative partnership, open-heart surgeons Peter Chung, M.D., John Galat, M.D., Craig Kuykendall, M.D., and David Lammermeier, M.D., and cardiovascular anesthesiologists Mikhail Deputat, M.D., Lawrence Harrison, M.D., Vincent Palmire, M.D., and Paul Robertie, M.D., will now practice exclusively at Munroe. These physicians along with with interventional cardiologists Bob Feldman, M.D., John Bittl, M.D., Greg von Mering, M.D., Richard Han, M.D., and Edward Santoian, M.D., who already practice exclusively at Munroe, will work closely with hospital officials to improve quality, reduce costs and to ensure that a world-class cardiovascular program continues to be available for the region.

"We chose these heart surgeons and anesthesiologists because they are among the best in the nation," says Steve Purves, President and CEO of Munroe. "During their tenure at Munroe, they have demonstrated extraordinary success in providing compassionate, high quality and cost effective cardiac surgery to our patients and we are pleased and fortunate to have them on board full time."

"It is with great pleasure that we announce our association and partnership with Munroe Regional Medical Center," said John A. Galat, M.D. "After more than 20 years of service to this community as private practitioners, the opportunity to partner with Munroe is both welcome and exciting. The combination of our experience, and Munroe's commitment to provide a state-of-the-art facility, creates the elements necessary to provide the community with world class cardiac care."

The signing of these open-heart surgeons and cardiovascular anesthesiologists is part of Munroe's strategic plan to redefine their model for cardiac and vascular services to better serve the community into the future. This model better enables Munroe to bring new services, research and state-of-the-art technologies to the service area. One such program is a $3 million investment in the development of a cardiac electrophysiology (EP) program. EP involves treatment of rhythm problems, often referred to as the heart's "electrical system" and requires highly specialized cardiologists, nurses, technicians and equipment.

"We are providing a life-saving benefit for the patients we serve through technology, expanded services and this exclusive partnership with these open-heart surgeons and cardiovascular anesthesiologists," says Purves. "It strengthens our level of care and allows us to work even closer with community cardiologists and other referring physicians to meet the cardiovascular needs of the region for years to come."

The Munroe Heart moniker represents a program overseen by a multidisciplinary advisory board that includes some of the nation's most prominent physicians within cardiac and vascular surgery, cardiology, interventional radiology and internal medicine. To support the advisory board, Munroe Regional has appointed Pam Michell as the Vice President of Heart and Vascular Services. Michell will manage the further development of Munroe Heart to ensure that it meets the goals of the Medical Center. "We have a well-rounded leadership team," says Purves. "The leadership qualities Pam brings will strengthen and grow our cardiovascular program."

Munroe has the distinction of being the only community hospital in the United States to be designated one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals® for cardiovascular care by Thomson Healthcare for nine consecutive years.

For more information please contact Ryan Gerds, Community Relations Coordinator at Munroe Regional, at (352) 402-5206 or email Ryan Gerds.