Deaconess Adding Cardiovascular Disease Center

Thu., Dec. 7, 2000

By Karen Dorn Steele karend@spokesman.com

Deaconess Medical Center is es- tablishing a regional center to fight cardiovascular disease, a leading health problem in Spokane and throughout the nation.

The new Center for Heart and Vascular Health will help teach people how to protect their hearts, veins and arteries.

It will also improve access to cutting-edge treatment and provide care for chronic problems after heart attacks and strokes, said Tom Zellers, chief operating officer of Deaconess Medical Center.

The center “represents a renewed, community-based commitment,” Zellers said in Wednesday’s announcement.

More than 40 percent of U.S. health care dollars are spent on treating and preventing cardiovascular disease, Deaconess officials said.

Deaconess is realigning its cardiovascular programs to create the new center, spokeswoman Janice Marich said.

Initially, it will acquire $3.5 million worth of cardiac and vascular equipment and budget about $600,000 on program development, education and research, she said.

The hospital’s new cardiac and vascular outpatient center will open by next June. It will be in Deaconess’ expanded Health and Education Center on West Fifth between Lincoln and Monroe.

“This is unique in Spokane,” said June Canaday, assistant vice president of cardiac and vascular services for Deaconess and Valley Hospital medical centers, who oversees $57 million in revenues for cardiovascular services.

The center will also have a wellness branch - a first for Spokane - that will focus on diet and exercise, Canaday aid.

The new program will enhance Spokane’s already-strong reputation for treating heart disease and related problems, Spokane cardiologist Dr. Michael Kwasman said.

“We believe a partnership of the community, schools, employers, physicians, hospitals, health plans, government and others will eventually motivate all of us to pay more attention” to a healthier lifestyle, Kwasman said.

The center’s goal is to integrate the efforts of health care providers in the region, vascular surgeon Dr. Gregory Luna said.

The center “presents a new opportunity to combine community action, research, education and great medical care into one program,” Luna said.

Deaconess Medical Center has been rated among the top 100 cardiac hospitals in the nation, Zellers said.

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