Three West Michigan heart programs have formed an alliance providing an option for open-heart surgery
Grand Rapids had been the largest metropolitan area in the country with only one open-heart surgery program.
“I think there’s been some lack of choice here. There’s been patients who have left Grand Rapids to receive care whether it’s in Ann Arbor or Cleveland Clinic or Mayo Clinic and even leaving the state.”
Dr. Peter Hahn is CEO of University of Michigan Health-West. It’s introducing an option with the formation of the Cardiovascular Network of West Michigan. A joint agreement combining existing heart programs and their expertise at Trinity Health Muskegon, Trinity Health Saint Mary’s Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health- West and UM’s Frankel Center in Ann Arbor.
“So, I think this is really going to elevate the game in Grand Rapids. Competition I think is important to make each other better and collaboration as well. So, this sort of brings both.”
The surgeons are faculty members at Michigan Medicine. Dr. Hahn tells us the planning began two years ago. Patients will be evaluated through a new collaborative design or what’s called a “heart team” determining the best course of treatment.