By Laura Freeman
Cardiovascular Associates has been making history in heart health for almost 80 years. Now the practice is entering a new era of growth encouraged by the renaissance of Baptist Health, a five-hospital system in central Alabama that is undergoing a revitalization following the purchase of 80 percent of its shares by nonprofit Orlando Health.
“This is an exciting time for us,” Practice Chairman John (Tom) Eagan, MD said. “We were working on plans for enhancing our practice and expanding outreach when the new owners came on board last fall. From our first meetings, we could see our mission and their vision were very much aligned. Like us, their focus is excellence in patient care and they are interested in expanding community-based health services so patients don’t have to travel long distances to access state-the-art cardiovascular care.
“The new management for Baptist Health has been very supportive in helping us update technologies and seeing that we have the resources we need. Cobranding to communicate a shared identity known for quality care makes sense. Now, whenever you see the name Cardiovascular Associates, you’ll also see consistent identification with Baptist Health.
“We’ve also just taken the latest step in our outreach plan by opening a new office in Cullman. For now, we have physicians and some of our staff from other offices seeing patients on alternating days. Eventually, we plan to recruit physicians and staff who will be based in Cullman full-time.”
Future plans also include expanding staffing in other offices. Additional improvements range from basic updates in the clinic environment to technology upgrades and new equipment, including a new dedicated in-office CT for the Colonnade office scheduled to be installed this fall.
“Orlando Health is doing a great job by using the expertise from both the Alabama and Florida locations to mutually benefit patients and physicians,” Eagan said. “They had a cardiovascular seminar for primary and other referring physicians in Florida, and invited several of our physicians to speak about the latest developments in the field. When it is our turn to hold a seminar, we can call on their best people.”
Considering the challenges now facing healthcare, there is much to be said for joining forces with partners known for strength, stability and a forward perspective.
Practice Administrator Kevin McIntyre says the internal response he is seeing from staff has been good. “We’re getting a lot of positive feedback,” he said. “Working day to day, our staff sees the small improvements that cumulatively make things better for their patients and their work environment, and they are excited about the bigger improvements like the new dedicated CT. It will give us ultra-fast, ultra-accurate diagnostic data right here in the office.”
Eagan said the word at Baptist Health hospitals in and around Birmingham has been very positive since the change of ownership. “The new leadership started by getting the infrastructure aligned with the quality we want patients to expect, he said. “It began with the basics, like new paint where needed, fixing roofs, plumbing and parking decks, and replacing worn furniture with comfortable new seating. It may seem like a small thing, but when people aren’t feeling well, a pleasant place to see their doctor makes a difference.”
As routine updates and maintenance are completed around the system, Eagan expects phased in upgrades and expansion to begin. “When equipment is state-of-the-art and the environment is welcoming, it’s easier for us to do our best work for patients—in our offices and in the hospitals where we perform procedures,” he said. “Positive changes similar to what we’re seeing in heart health are likely to be seen in other specialties associated with Baptist Health.”
