Danville Regional Medical Center (DRMC) officials announced today they are re-establishing an affiliation with the nationally renowned Duke Heart Center in order to provide a comprehensive, high-quality community cardiovascular program for the residents of Danville and surrounding communities.
The Duke Heart Center (DHC) affiliated DRMC Cardiovascular program, also known as the Heart Center of the Piedmont, will include the development, support and delivery of inpatient and outpatient cardiac services, cardiovascular surgery, diagnostic and interventional cardiac catheterization, vascular surgery, vascular intervention and other cardiac diagnostic procedures and medical services. The Duke Heart Center will provide quality oversight for the DRMC program.
Under this 10-year affiliation agreement, DRMC and DHC will collaborate to strengthen and grow cardiovascular services while enhancing the long-standing relationship DRMC has had with Duke.
“This agreement between DRMC and DHC represents a substantial commitment to enhancing clinical quality and services for cardiovascular care in the Dan River community,” said Jerel Humphrey, CEO of DRMC. “Our goal is to provide the best care and treatment to our community. An affiliation with the Duke Heart Center for cardiovascular services is a significant step toward continuous enhancement in the services and care provided at DRMC,” Humphrey added.
Peter Smith, M.D., Professor and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Duke University School of Medicine further explains Duke’s role in the affiliation as “providing additional education on preventive cardiac measures as well as on-going training for all members of the cardiovascular team. This expansion of services is a clear example of the importance DRMC places on the health and well-being of those in the community.”
“Bringing Dr. Richard Embrey to DRMC was the first step in continuing to provide a strong clinical foundation for DRMC,” Smith added. Embrey is an associate professor of cardiovascular surgery at Duke and is based in Danville. “Dr. Embrey will continue to be supported by the Duke Heart Center with additional resources including extensive training for all DRMC cardiac staff members,” Smith continued. “Additionally, Duke will provide a Cardiovascular Services Administrative Director to oversee and coordinate cardiovascular medical services at DRMC.”
“I am pleased that DRMC has been able to renew this important affiliation with the Duke Heart Center for cardiovascular services,” said William F. Carpenter III, President & Chief Executive Officer of LifePoint Hospitals , Inc. “This affiliation is clear evidence of the commitment that DRMC has made to support the Dan River community by providing quality healthcare close to home. It also further demonstrates DRMC’s focus on making new healthcare services available and to further enhancing the cardiac care and treatment provided at DRMC.”
DRMC will host a community event in the near future for local residents to meet members of the DRMC and Duke Cardiovascular programs.
Ranked among the top ten heart centers in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Duke Heart Center is dedicated to improving cardiovascular care through research, education and outreach. For more information, visit http://www.dukehealth.org/heart.
LifePoint Hospitals, Inc. is a leading hospital company focused on providing healthcare services in on-urban communities in 16 states. Of the Company’s 46 hospitals, 44 are in communities where LifePoint Hospitals is the sole community hospital provider. LifePoint Hospitals’ non-urban operating strategy offers continued operational improvement by focusing on five guiding principles that outline the Company’s vision: delivering compassionate, high-quality patient care; supporting physicians; creating an outstanding environment for employees; providing unmatched community value; and ensuring fiscal responsibility. Headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, LifePoint Hospitals is affiliated with approximately 21,000 employees. More information about LifePoint Hospitals can be found on its website, http://www.lifepointhospitals.com.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY FROM LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS
DRMC’s Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Frank Campbell says, “This agreement is great news for the residents of this area and represents a serious commitment on the part of LifePoint Hospitals, Duke University Health System, DRMC and the local Board of Trustees to ensure our area receives premier-quality, Duke University-supported diagnostics and treatment services close to home. The Duke faculty and administration will be very involved in expanding all facets of cardiovascular care at DRMC - from the Emergency Room to Outpatient Rehabilitation.”
Dr. William Hickson, Internal Medicine, states, “I’m very pleased that Duke will become more involved in our community, and that they are willing to try and help improve the quality of cardiovascular care for our patients.”
DRMC Cardiologist Dr. Gary Miller offers,"For the residents of the Dan River region, this agreement means we will partner with Duke Heart Center clinical leaders to continue to enhance the level of services to our patients in order to provide services close to home.”
DRMC Cardiologist Dr. Boshra G. Zakhary says, “With Duke’s expertise at our local hospital, patients will see tremendous benefits in keeping their hearts healthier.”
DRMC Cardiologist Dr. Ajit Chauhan says, “This is a monumental event for the Dan River Region. I am very pleased that we will continue the long standing relationship we have enjoyed with Duke. More importantly this affiliation will provide a center of excellence concept for the cardiovascular needs of our community.”
Dan River Chamber of Commerce President Laurie Moran says, “This renewal and expansion of services provided by Duke University Health System will be well received not only by the business community, but by future employers seeking to relocate to this area. We applaud the company for their commitment to better health.”
Dr. Christopher O’Connor, Director of the Duke Heart Center and Duke Cardiologist states, “Duke is very excited about renewing the affiliation with DRMC. The opportunity to develop clinical utilizing evidence-based medicine in local communities is part of the Duke Heart Center’s core mission.”
Dr. Harry Phillips, Chief Medical Officer for Duke Network Services and a Duke Interventional Cardiologist offers, “Among top academic medical centers, Duke has been uniquely successful in partnering with community hospitals to develop high quality cardiac programs as evidenced by consistently tracked outcome measures. This affiliation is about reviewing, renewing, educating and measuring every aspect of cardiovascular care at Danville Regional. The Duke Heart Center’s expertise in the care of patients with complex problems, its groundbreaking research and its ability to bring the latest evidence-based concepts to clinical care make it the ideal partner for a community hospital like Danville Regional.”
