Grand Rapids, Michigan, October 27, 2022 – The Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan, a joint operating agreement that leverages the clinical expertise of three existing heart programs in West Michigan ― the open-heart surgery program at Trinity Health Muskegon, the cardiovascular programs at Trinity Health Saint Mary's in Grand Rapids, and University of Michigan Health-West ― and the nationally ranked expertise of University of Michigan's Frankel Center in Ann Arbor, launches with the first open-heart procedures in a new state-of-the art operating room at UMH-West in Wyoming.
The initial cardiac surgeries have been performed by a team comprised of Dr. Himanshu Patel, executive director for the Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan, Dr. Gorav Ailawadi, Dr. Theodore Boeve, and Dr. Jonathan Haft, each part of the Department of Cardiac Surgery at University of Michigan Health.
"Above all, we are extremely pleased with the opportunity to connect with more patients through the network, and to provide them with increased quality of life," said Dr. Patel. "It could not be more gratifying to begin on such a positive note as we launch this era of collaboration, choice, access and excellence for the heart patients of West Michigan."
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Drs. Ailawadi, Haft and Patel are primarily based at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center (FCVC) in Ann Arbor, along with Stefanie Peters, chief administrative officer at the FCVC, each of whom have been an integral partner with UM Health-West and Trinity Health Michigan to develop this program.
"The network was designed to give West Michigan patients close-to-home choice and access to top expertise. Wherever patients enter the network, they can expect seamless access to the best and most appropriate cardiovascular care," said Dr. Peter Hahn, CEO of University of Michigan Health-West. "This is one network, one program, one team. We have reached a major milestone with the beginning of open-heart surgery in Grand Rapids, but this is just the beginning of what becomes possible through our ongoing and strengthening collaboration."
Gary Allore, president of Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital, home of the Thill Heart and Vascular Center, applauded the dedication that led to this point, noting that more accomplishments are ahead. "We envision a region-leading program to address cardiovascular disease, which is still the number one cause of death in Michigan. We are focused on improving access to world-class care that meets the needs of the people we serve in Grand Rapids, Muskegon and all of West Michigan."
