Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus
Breaks Ground on $11 Million Medical Office Tower

New Facility Will Expand Cardiovascular Services in the Region

OKLAHOMA CITY—Earthmovers are breaking ground at Oklahoma Heart Hospital South on a new $11 million, three-story, 70,000 square-foot medical office building designed to put cardiovascular physicians within steps of their patients.  The new medical tower will be located on the Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus at Sooner Road and I-240.

“Putting our doctors close to our patients is vital to the evolution of the South Campus and a positive development in the care of our patients,” said Dr. John Harvey, CEO/President Oklahoma Heart Hospital. “The proximity of our specialists will enhance our response times in a cardiac emergency, surpassing our already superior door-to-door catherization time which currently is superior to both state and national averages.”

The medical tower will contain services such as cardiac MRI, an interventional pain management procedure suite, a cardiac rehabilitation and wellness center and physician offices.  Space is also being built for future operating rooms and catheterization labs as the hospital center grows.  The tower and the hospital will be connected by a 50 foot, air conditioned walkway.

“The new facility will open a new segment of care for the Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus with an anticipated 23,000 square feet of clinic space. Diagnostic testing and physician offices allows our patients to visit the campus for heart care when they don’t need hospitalization,” noted John Austin, Chief Operating Officer Oklahoma Heart Hospital South.

Phase one of construction includes completion of the site work and foundation.  The second phase involves putting up steel and brick to shape the exterior of the building, and the final phase involves medically outfitting the facility for patient care and comfort.  The new medical building is scheduled to open in late summer or early fall of 2012.

Nabholz Construction is general contractor and the facility designer is Rees Architecture, both are Oklahoma companies.

About Oklahoma Heart Hospital:
Oklahoma Heart Hospital opened in August 2002 as the first all-digital hospital in America totally dedicated to the care of hearts. Cardiologists from Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates partnered with Mercy Health Center to make the hospital a reality. In 2006, demand for cardiovascular services in the region prompted a $35 million expansion at the hospital.
In 2010, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus opened its doors as an all-digital hospital specializing in the care of hearts.  The South Campus partnered with Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Mercy Health Center, Norman Regional Health System and Midwest Regional System to bring cardiovascular services to south Oklahoma City and eastern Oklahoma County.

• General Cardiology

• Heart Failure Management

• Heart Valve Repair

• Cardiac Robotics

• Heart Rhythym Disorders

• Thoracic Endografting

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The new clinic is located at:
5606 S.W. Lee Boulevard
Lawton, OK
580.699.8822

CHICAGO – July 25, 2011 – Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus have been recognized as one of the nation’s MOST WIRED, according to the results of the 2011 Most Wired Survey released in the July issue of Hospitals & Health Networks magazine.

The nation’s Most Wired hospitals are making progress towards greater health information technology (IT) adoption, according to Hospitals & Health Networks’ 2011 Most Wired Survey released today. As a field, hospitals are focused on expanding and adopting certain kinds of IT, such as computerized physician order entry (CPOE), to promote improved patient care and data collection.

“Oklahoma Heart Hospital is a pioneer of the electronic medical record as the first all-digital hospital in America totally dedicated to the care of hearts. We designed both Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus from the ground up for wireless operations. In addition, we are digitally connected to more than 40 rural clinics around the state of Oklahoma for paper-free operations,” noted Steve Miller, Oklahoma Heart Hospital Chief Information Officer. “ We are thrilled to be recognized as MOST WIRED as it is embedded in our DNA as a health provider.”

Most Wired hospitals have made great strides forward in this area with the survey results revealing strong advances in CPOE. Among the key findings this year:

• Sixty-seven percent of Most Wired hospitals ordered medications electronically in comparison to 46 percent of the total responders.
• Fifty-eight percent of all organizations reported that they have implemented computerized standing orders based on treatment protocols that have been scientifically proven to be effective; in the Most Wired group, 86 percent have implemented such standing orders.
• A greater reliance on digital records puts pressure on Chief Information Officers (CIOs) to ensure that data can be restored quickly in the event that systems go down. Eighty-two percent of the Most Wired hospitals and 57 percent of all surveyed hospitals can restore clinical data within 24 hours after a power loss.
• Most Wired hospitals are leading in the use of encryption on movable devices to safeguard information. All Most Wired hospitals encrypt data for laptops and 76 percent encrypt smart phones in comparison to 85 percent of total responders that use encryption on laptops and 57 percent on smart phones.

“Greater adoption of IT can bring important new tools to our efforts to improve the safety and quality of care in hospitals, and better coordinate care across settings,” says Rich Umbdenstock, president and CEO of the AHA. “To promote further use of information technology, we are aggressively working to remove regulatory barriers, and provide clarity in areas such as the meaningful use criteria.”

Hospitals & Health Networks’ Most Wired Survey, conducted between Jan. 15 and March 15, asked hospitals and health systems nationwide to answer questions regarding their IT initiatives. Respondents completed 530 surveys, representing 1,388 hospitals, or roughly 24 percent of all U.S. hospitals.

“Most hospitals look beyond short-term drivers of meaningful use and view technology as part of a powerful toolkit to support their long-term goals for clinical quality improvement and preparation for reform,” said Patrick Blake, executive vice president and group president, McKesson Technology Solutions, a sponsor of the survey. “Using all aspects of an electronic health record, including CPOE, is becoming the expected standard of care in many communities. As a result, we continue to see growth in those areas.”

Strides are also being made in the integration of the electronic health records with digital clinical imaging, according to survey results. Progress in the areas of digital dictation, structured reporting, and voice recognition with picture archiving and communication systems is also being made. Under these systems, clinicians receive faster diagnostic results that can improve aspects of patient care.

The July H&HN cover story detailing results is available at www.hhnmag.com.

About Oklahoma Heart Hospital:
Oklahoma Heart Hospital opened in August 2002 as the first all-digital hospital in America totally dedicated to the care of hearts. Cardiologists from Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates partnered with Mercy Health Center to make the hospital a reality. In 2006, demand for cardiovascular services in the region prompted a $35 million expansion at the hospital.

In 2010, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus opened its doors as an all-digital hospital specializing in the care of hearts. The South Campus partnered with Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Mercy Health Center, Norman Regional Health System and Midwest Regional System to bring cardiovascular services to south Oklahoma City and eastern Oklahoma County.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital – Serving the State, Leading the Nation. www.okheart.com

About the AHA
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is the national organization that represents and serves all types of hospitals, health care networks, and their patients and communities. Close to 5,000 hospitals, health care systems, networks, other providers of care and 42,000 individual members come together to form the AHA. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for health care leaders and is a source of information on health care issues and trends. For more information, visit the AHA website at www.aha.org.

About the Most Wired Survey
The 2011 Most Wired Survey is conducted in cooperation with McKesson Corporation, HIT Exchange, the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), and the American Hospital Association.

McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. The company partners with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services. For more information, visit http://www.mckesson.com

HIT Exchange magazine covers the health IT landscape from both business and technology perspectives, connecting healthcare executives who set the course for their organizations and the IT and clinical leaders implementing these strategies.

The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) is an executive organization dedicated to serving chief information officers and other senior healthcare IT leaders. With more than 1,400 CIO members and over 70 healthcare IT vendors and professional services firms, CHIME provides a highly interactive, trusted environment enabling senior professional and industry leaders to collaborate; exchange best practices; address professional development needs; and advocate the effective use of information management to improve the health and healthcare in the communities they serve.

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Lego Red Dress Created Exclusively For Oklahoma Heart Hospital

She weighs 47 pounds, stands 61 inches and took over 18,000 red bricks to create. The life-size LEGO red dress was unveiled at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus to celebrate Heart Month this February.

The Lego Red Dress will be on the move throughout the month – making an appearance at the Oklahoma State Capitol on Valentine’s Day and heading to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital North Campus on February 15th through the end of the month.

The Lego Red Dress was created by one only six Lego Certified Professionals working in North American, Europe and Asia. Master Lego artist Nathan Sawaya constructed the Lego Red Dress exclusively for the Oklahoma Heart Hospital in his New York studio.

Sawaya, has been featured on The Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Today Show, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Colbert Report & Mythbusters to name a few. His Lego art is currently touring North American museums in a show titled, The Art of the Brick. It’s the only exhibition focusing exclusively on LEGO as an art medium. The creations, constructed from nearly one million pieces, were built from standard bricks beginning in 2000.

Sawaya was commissioned by Toyscapes of Oklahoma City to create the one-of-a-kind Lego Red Dress on behalf of EduCare. Oklahoma City Educare opened its doors in July 2009, to serve 200 disadvantaged children, ages birth to five years old, with year-round early childhood education programs.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital South to Announce Oklahoma Heart Hero Winners for Outstanding Courage in Saving Lives with CPR

The winners of the 2010 Oklahoma Heart Hero and Oklahoma Giving Heart will be announced Friday, February 11, 2011 as part of Heart Month to honor those who are prepared to deal with a cardiovascular emergency, educate others how to become prepared, and serve as an incentive for others to be trained in CPR and the use of an AED (automatic external defibrillator). The Oklahoma Giving Heart award this year honors someone whose commitment to teaching the elements of CPR has the potential to save countless lives.

About Oklahoma Heart Hospital:
The 2010 Oklahoma Heart Hero is Jonathan Powell of Oklahoma City.
On March 21, 2010 – 58 year old Tom Tharp was hard at work in an Oklahoma City warehouse when suddenly he overheated and started to feel lightheaded and nauseated. Then – he passed out. Jonathan Powell and a friend were working nearby and saw Tom fall unconscious. Jonathan had learned CPR as a Boy Scout many years earlier and quickly ran to Tom’s side and began compressions as his friend ran to call 911. Jonathan continued administering CPR for several minutes until EMSA arrived. The paramedics later told Tom that when they arrived there was no heartbeat and probably hasn’t been one for four to five minutes. The compression Jonathan was giving with CPR was enough to keep blood and oxygen going through Tom’s system to keep him alive. Paramedics used a defibrillator to shock Tom’s heart back into an action. Tom was rushed to the Oklahoma Heart Hospital where he stayed for another 4 days. Today, Tom is back at work and thankful to the former Boy Scout for knowing what to do and having the courage to step in and help.

The 2010 Oklahoma Giving Heart Hero is OKC teacher Grace Gibby
In March of 2010, Mayfield Middle School 7th grader Tekail Davis was eating a hard candy in the cafeteria when he choked and stopped breathing. Fellow student Rodre Jackson saw what was happening and quickly administered the Heimlich maneuver to Tekail. His fast action saved Tekail from choking. Rodre remembered the technique taught the year before by his 6th grade teacher Grace Gibby. Several years earlier, Grace used the life-saving technique herself. But when she saw a news story about a child choking in school because no one knew the technique, she began teaching the Heimlich maneuver to every student who passed through her class. When Rodre saved Tekail, her lifetime commitment to teach this life-saving technique paid off in ways she only dreamed of.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus Celebrates First Anniversary
New Hospital Experiences Successful Opening Year After Historic Race with National Healthcare Reform Vote

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus is celebrating its first year in operation, a year that began in a race with the historic national healthcare reform bill. The bill limited construction on facilities owned by physicians, threatening the opening of the new hospital built by a consortium of Oklahoma hospitals and owned, in part, by a team of cardiovascular specialists.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus began serving patients on January 18, 2010; received Medicare Certification to treat state-funded Medicaid patients on March 10, 2010; and the healthcare reform bill was signed into law March 23, 2010.

“We have assembled one of the finest teams of cardiovascular specialists in the region drawing talent from such prestigious institutions as the Mayo Clinic,” noted Dr. John Harvey, M.D./Oklahoma Heart Hospital President and CEO. “We have added a workforce of 400 physicians, nurses, and techs all specializing in the care of hearts.”

The $98-million, all-digital, state-of-the-art. 163,000 square-foot facility has 30 general cardiovascular rooms, 15 day patient beds, 16 ICU beds, three operating rooms and three catheterization procedure rooms. The 10-bed emergency department takes all emergencies and is staffed 24/7 with a full-time physician and nursing team.

“Our first year has been very successful with patient activity rivaling well-established programs with over 4,500 heart catheterization procedures, 674 surgeries and 4,500 ER visits,” said John Austin, Chief Operating Officer/Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus. “We’ve added 12 new cardiologists to our team of doctors and have opened a new Interventional Pain Management division to offer our patients a dynamic multi-disciplinary concept of care that redefines the boundaries of specialty care, with the patient at the center.”

The South Campus facility was built by a consortium of hospitals including Oklahoma Heart Hospital North, Mercy Health Center, Midwest Regional Medical Center and Norman Regional Health System. Oklahoma Heart Hospital North opened in 2002 as the nation’s first all-digital hospital dedicated to the care of hearts. The successful model of heart care delivery developed at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital North Campus was the inspiration to build a similar hospital in underserved south Oklahoma City.

About Oklahoma Heart Hospital:
Oklahoma Heart Hospital opened in August 2002 as the first all-digital hospital in America totally dedicated to the care of hearts. Cardiologists from Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates partnered with Mercy Health Center to make the hospital a reality. In 2006, demand for cardiovascular services in the region prompted a $35 million expansion at the hospital.

In 2010, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus opened its doors as an all-digital hospital specializing in the care of hearts. The South Campus partnered with Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Mercy Health Center, Norman Regional Health System and Midwest Regional System to bring cardiovascular services to south Oklahoma City and eastern Oklahoma County.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital – Serving the State, Leading the Nation.

Vascular Surgeon Joins Vascular Institute at Oklahoma Heart Hospital

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians (OHHP) announced the appointment of vascular surgeon Dr. Kousta I. Foteh to the OHHP office located at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians is the largest group of cardiovascular specialists in Oklahoma and one of the largest in the nation dedicated to diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart, pulmonary and vascular systems.

Dr. Foteh will joins Dr. Jim Melton and Dr. Lenny Stubbs as part of the Vascular Institute at Oklahoma Heart Hospital. The Vascular Institute is the most comprehensive vascular medicine program in Oklahoma and one of the most active vascular surgery specialty groups in this region of the country.

“Dr. Foteh is an outstanding surgeon and brings a similarly outstanding background to our cardiovascular group of physicians. With his deep knowledge and experience in vascular surgery, Foteh is an asset not only to our staff but to our patients as well. We are constantly redefining the perimeters of care we offer at Oklahoma Heart Hospital and physicians such as Dr. Foteh play a vital role in that effort,” said Dr. John Harvey, CEO and president of Oklahoma Heart Hospital.

Dr. Foteh earned his medical degree from the University of Texas at Houston Medical School in Houston, Texas, and completed his residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas. His fellowship work in vascular surgery was completed at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Ark. He is board certified in surgery, cardiac life support and trauma life support.

In July 2010, Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates became OHH Physicians, growing to one of the largest cardiovascular specialty physician groups in the nation. Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians has 55 physicians working in 40 clinics throughout Oklahoma including Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus. OHH Physicians specialize in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, electrophysiology, vascular medicine and pulmonology.

New Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery Joins Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus from Mayo Clinic

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians (OHHP) announced the appointment of cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Dr. Goya V. Raikar to the OHHP office located at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus. Dr. Raikar joins the South Campus team as the Director of Cardiovascular Surgery after training at the Mayo Clinic and over 10 years of clinical practice.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians is the largest group of cardiovascular specialists in Oklahoma and one of the largest in the nation dedicated to diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart, pulmonary and vascular systems.

“Dr. Raikar brings an outstanding resume and extraordinary skills as a cardiovascular surgeon to Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus,” noted Dr. John Harvey, CEO and president of Oklahoma Heart Hospital. “His depth of clinical knowledge and thoracic surgical background is an immeasurable asset to our patients and his organizational talents make him an ideal director of cardiothoracic surgery.

“My family moved to this region of the country to be closer to family, but I wanted the same commitment of quality cardiovascular care, compassion and collaborative working environment I grew accustom to at the Mayo Clinic. Only one hospital fit the bill – the Oklahoma Heart Hospital,” said Dr. Raikar.

Prior to coming to Oklahoma Heart Hospital South, Dr. Raikar served as the Section Head of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn. He began his professional career as a cardiothoracic surgeon at Valley Heart Associates in Modesto, Calif.

Dr. Raikar earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska-Medical Center in Omaha, Neb., and completed his residency at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minn. His fellowship work in cardiothoracic surgery was completed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is board certified in surgery and thoracic surgery.

In July 2010, Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates became OHH Physicians, growing to one of the largest cardiovascular specialty physician groups in the nation. Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians has 55 physicians working in 40 clinics throughout Oklahoma including Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus. OHH Physicians specialize in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, electrophysiology, vascular medicine and pulmonology.

Interventional Pain Management Program Opens at Oklahoma Heart Hospital South
Pain Management Specialist Dr. Rico Guerra Leads Team

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians (OHHP) announced the appointment of pain management specialist Dr. Rico A. Guerra to the OHHP office located at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus. With his appointment comes the creation of the Interventional Pain Management department, headed by Dr. Guerra.

Dr. Guerra is fellowship trained in Interventional Pain Management and specializes in managing the full spectrum of chronic pain conditions. He and his team use the most advanced and safest interventional treatment techniques currently available.

“Dr. Guerra brings a dynamic new dimension to the treatment options available to our patients at Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus,” said OHH CEO Dr. John Harvey. “Through his proven expertise, innovation, and technology in the emerging field of pain management he adds to the multi-disciplinary concept of care we are building on the South Campus that includes cardiovascular medicine and surgery, vascular surgery, pulmonology expertise and neurological services.”

Interventional Pain Management is the discipline of medicine devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of pain-related disorders. Dr. Guerra and his team concentrate on the application of interventional techniques in managing sub-acute, chronic, persistent and intractable pain, independently or in conjunction with other types of treatments. Common causes or types of pain include headaches, neck pain, lower back pain, spinal stenosis, sciatica, CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), and motor vehicle and work related injuries.

Dr. Guerra earned his medical degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine, and completed his Anesthesiology residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. His fellowship training in interventional pain management was completed at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. He is board certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine and comes to Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians from St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City.

In July 2010, Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates became OHH Physicians, growing to one of the largest cardiovascular specialty physician groups in the nation. Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians has 55 physicians working in 40 clinics throughout Oklahoma including Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus. OHH Physicians specialize in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, electrophysiology, vascular medicine and pulmonology.

RUSSIAN HEALTH DIGNITARIES TOUR OKLAHOMA HEART HOSPITAL
Russians in Oklahoma to Learn from a Variety of Health Organizations

OKLAHOMA CITY—Four Russian dignitaries toured the Oklahoma Heart Hospital on in November to learn more about the value of the electronic medical record. Oklahoma Heart Hospital is the first all-digital heart hospital in the nation with an extensive digital network spanning 40 clinics throughout Oklahoma. These representatives from Russia were in Oklahoma as participants of the Open World Program 2010 originating on the campus of Redlands Community College in El Reno.

The delegates hold various high-level health care administrative positions and are in Oklahoma to learn about many aspects of the U.S. health care system in general.

The Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Oklahoma Heart Hospital South were built from the ground up using a network of fiber-optic cables and an all-digital, highly-secure patient record system that puts all patient medications, images, and testing results directly at the bedside. The system has increased the quality of care and patient safety.

“We see this as both an honor and an opportunity. My hope is for these health care officials to gain perspective and insight as to how we run our hospital and maybe take some fresh ideas back to their respective countries. We’re glad Oklahoma Heart Hospital is seen as a model for not only the state and country, but also the world, and this is an opportunity to showcase how a health care facility should be run,” said OHH President/CEO John Harvey.

The Open World Program brings groups of approximately four to five delegates from each various post-soviet nations for 10-day theme-based visits to the United States. The visits begin with an orientation in Washington, D.C., followed by eight days in a local community, in this case Oklahoma. The program was established as a Library of Congress administered project in 1999 to give emerging Russian leaders firsthand exposure to the American system of democracy through visits to American local governments and communities. The program has since expanded to include other post-Soviet states.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital CEO/President Dr. John Harvey speaks to Russian health administrators

Oklahoma Heart Hospital Chief Information Officer Steve Miller leads tour of electrophysiology operating room for Russian health administrators

Oklahoma Heart Hospital Receives Award for Patient Care

Prestigious Summit Award Goes to OKC Hospital 5th Straight Year

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Heart Hospital received the 2010 Summit Award for Inpatient Care from Press Ganey Associates, Inc., an honor marking excellence in the health care field. This is the fourth straight year Oklahoma Heart Hospital has won the award.

Press Ganey currently partners with more than 10,000 health care facilities — including 50 percent of U.S. hospitals — to measure and improve the quality of their care. The company’s databases are the largest in the industry and allow facilities nationwide to benchmark their results against peer organizations. The Summit Award recognizes top performing facilities that sustain the highest level of customer satisfaction for three or more consecutive years. OHH is one of 80 Press Ganey client facilities to receive this honor in 2010.

"We are proud partners of Oklahoma Heart Hospital,” noted Richard B. Siegrist Jr., Press Ganey CEO. “Oklahoma Heart Hospital continues to maintain a high level of patient satisfaction over the past three years. Their efforts benefit Oklahoma and lead to improved delivery of health care.”

“The Oklahoma Heart Hospital has taken great steps in the past year to maintain the highest quality of patient care and continue our rich tradition of patient satisfaction,” said Dr. John Harvey, Oklahoma Heart Hospital CEO/President. “It is an honor to win the Press Ganey Summit Award for the fourth straight year, but it is also a challenge that we cannot stop now. We must continue our commitment to serve the state of Oklahoma in the best ways possible.”

About Oklahoma Heart Hospital:
Oklahoma Heart Hospital opened in August 2002 as the first all-digital hospital in America totally dedicated to the care of hearts. Cardiologists from Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates partnered with Mercy Health Center to make the hospital a reality. In 2006, demand for cardiovascular services in the region prompted a $98 million expansion at the hospital.

In 2010, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus opened its doors as an all-digital hospital specializing in the care of hearts. The South Campus partnered with Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Mercy Health Center, Norman Regional Health System and Midwest Regional System to bring cardiovascular services to south Oklahoma City and eastern Oklahoma County. Oklahoma Heart Hospital – Serving the State, Leading the Nation. www.okheart.com

About Press Ganey:

Recognized as a leader in performance improvement for 25 years, Press Ganey partners with more than 10,000 health care organizations to create and sustain high performing organizations, and, ultimately, improve the overall health care experience. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of solutions to help clients operate efficiently, improve quality, increase market share and optimize reimbursement. Press Ganey works with clients from across the continuum of care – hospitals, medical practices, home health agencies and other providers – including 50% of all U.S. hospitals. www.pressganey.com.

LUNG SPECIALIST JOINS OKLAHOMA HEART HOSPITAL PHYSICIANS

OKLAHOMA CITY—Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians (OHHP) announced the appointment of cardiovascular and pulmonary specialist Dr. Richard Wood to the OHHP office located at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital North Campus. Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians, formerly known at Oklahoma Cardiovascular Specialists (OCA), is the largest group of cardiovascular specialists in Oklahoma and one of the largest in the nation dedicated to diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart, pulmonary, and vascular systems.

“Dr. Wood brings an outstanding resume and depth of clinical knowledge to our cardiovascular group of physicians,” noted Dr. John Harvey, CEO/President of Oklahoma Heart Hospital. “The addition of specialists in such fields as pulmonology adds a critical dimension to the quality of care our patients receive. We are constantly redefining the perimeters of care we offer at Oklahoma Heart Hospital and physicians such as Dr. Wood play a vital role in that effort.”

Prior to coming to Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians office, Dr. Wood served as a pulmonologist at Norman Regional Health System. He began his professional career in private practice in Edmond and Oklahoma City.

Dr. Wood earned his osteopathic degree from Oklahoma State University college of Osteopathic Medicine. He completed his internship at Columbia Medical Center in Dallas and his residency at the OU Medical Center. His fellowship work in pulmonary and critical care medicine was also completed at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. He is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease and critical care medicine.

In July 2010, Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates became OHH Physicians, growing to one of the largest cardiovascular specialty physician groups in the nation. Oklahoma Heart Hospital Physicians has 56 physicians working in 46 clinics throughout Oklahoma including Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus. OHH Physicians specialize in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, electrophysiology, vascular medicine and pulmonology.

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Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus

Receives Medicare Certification

New Hospital Fast Tracks Federal and State Certification Process

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus has received speedy accreditation from The Joint Commission, giving the newly opened hospital the green light to treat Medicare patients. Earlier the Oklahoma State Health Department certified the hospital to treat state-funded Medicaid patients.

The Joint Commission is an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for accrediting and certifying more than 17,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States. Joint Commission accreditation and certification is recognized nationwide as a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to meeting certain performance standards.

The all-digital, state-of-the-art, $98-million, 163,000 square-foot facility opened its doors January 18th to patients but had to achieve both federal and state accreditation before qualifying to take on Medicare and Medicaid patients.

“Joint Commission accreditation can take as long as two years, but our application for certification and on-site inspection were fast-tracked because we had a completely clean inspection requiring no changes to meet government standards,” said Dr. John Harvey, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus, President and CEO. “Achieving Joint Commission standards so quickly allows us to offer services to a much broader patient population and fill a vital gap in services for south Oklahoma City and eastern Oklahoma County.”

The hospital specializes in cardiovascular care but operates a full-service, 10 bed emergency room with a 24/7 physician presence. The hospital has 16 ICU beds, 30 general cardiovascular rooms, 15 day beds, two operating rooms and three catheterization procedure rooms.

The South Campus facility was built by a consortium of hospitals including Oklahoma Heart Hospital North, Mercy Health Center, Midwest Regional Medical Center and Norman Regional Health System. Oklahoma Heart Hospital North opened in 2002 as the nation’s first all-digital hospital totally dedicated to the care of hearts.

About Oklahoma Heart Hospital:
Oklahoma Heart Hospital opened in August 2002 as the first all-digital hospital in America totally dedicated to the care of hearts. Cardiologists from Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates partnered with Mercy Health Center to make the hospital a reality. In 2006, demand for cardiovascular services in the region prompted a $98 million expansion at the hospital.

In 2010, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus opened its doors as an all-digital hospital specializing in the care of hearts. The South Campus partnered with Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Mercy Health Center, Norman Regional Health System and Midwest Regional System to bring cardiovascular services to south Oklahoma City and eastern Oklahoma County.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital – Serving the State, Leading the Nation. www.okheart.com

OKLAHOMA KICKOFF OF NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY FEBRUARY 5TH HONORS WOMEN SAVED BY CPR
New Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus Joins American Heart Association Urging Women to Wear Red Friday, February 5

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma women with heart disease who were revived in a 911 emergency will be honored alongside their rescuers at the 2010 kickoff of the Go Red for Women Wear Red Day to be held at the new Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus on February 5th at 10:30 a.m. One of the rescuers will be given the 2010 Oklahoma Heart Hero award for their courageous use of CPR in an emergency.

The American Heart Association celebrates February as National Heart Month and on Friday, February 5th millions of women, men and children across America will unit in support of the go Red for Women movement and take a stand against heart disease on “Wear Red Day”. Go Red for Women is a nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power women have to band together and wipe out heart disease, by wearing red.

CPR saved Julie Avants, Edmond; Amy Garza, Hobart; and Loyce Newton Edwards, Oklahoma City. Their rescuers – two family members and a stranger - are finalists for the 4th Annual Oklahoma Heart Hero award. This is the 4th year for the award that in the past has honored family members, friends, strangers and emergency professionals who sometimes put their own lives on the line to save another.

• 32-year-old Amy Garza’s husband Albino was about to go to sleep around midnight when he realized Amy was making strange sounds in her sleep and looked very strange. Panic began to rise and when he checked her – he could find no pulse. Albino quickly began CPR and called 911. He told their 8-year-old daughter Jolie to wait outside for the ambulance and bring the EMT’s to her mother when they arrived. Amy reached the Oklahoma Heart Hospital alive but in a coma. The immediate worry was that Amy’s brain had been oxygen starved for an unknown period of time. To save her brain, Amy was placed in a hypothermic state and remained in a coma for 14 days. When she suddenly awoke with no apparent permanent injury, he doctor called it a miracle. Amy has been diagnosed with a genetic disorder called Long QT Syndrome. Because of Amy’s near death event they discovered daughter Jolie also has the same heart defect. Both Amy and Jolie now have Defibrillator/pacemakers to prevent their heart from going into that deadly rhythm.
• Single mother 45-year-old Julie Avants and her 15-year-old daughter Kathryn got up normally the morning of Julie’s heart emergency. Julie suddenly felt strange and went into the bathroom where she collapsed into her daughter’s arms. Kathryn called 911 and was getting her mother in position to begin CPR when paramedics arrived. Moments later at the hospital Julie went into full heart arrest. Julie had a history of heart disease, her first heart attack was at age 42. Subsequent to her heart emergency Julie has also suffered a stroke and further complications of her heart disease requiring implantation of a heart defibrillator.
• Loyce Newton Edwards was walking with a friend in North Park Mall when she suddenly felt strange and literally fell to the ground unconscious. A stranger saw her fall and ran to her side. Ryan Stallings began immediate CPR until emergency personnel arrived on the scene. Loyce was diagnosed with a syndrome called Sudden Cardiac Death. She quickly underwent surgery to receive a heart stent and eventually a defibrillator to monitor any dangerous heart beats and shock her heart if needed.

The purpose of the Oklahoma Heart Hero award is to honor those who are prepared to deal with a cardiovascular emergency, educate others how to become prepared, and serve as an incentive for others to be trained in CPR and the use of an AED (automatic external defibrillator).

More than 41 million American women are living with one or more types of cardiovascular disease, yet only one in five view heart disease as their greatest health threat. One in three women has cardiovascular disease, and every minute one woman died as a result of this health threat. That’s why God Red for Women, powered by the American Heart Association’s research, is educating and connecting millions of women of all ages in an effort to beat women’s number one killer.

Oklahoma Women and Heart Disease:

• Oklahoma is number one in the nation in heart disease.
• Diabetes has increased an incredible 43% in the past decade in Oklahoma.
• One in four Oklahomans are smokers.
• In Oklahoma, 21% of middle school students and 42% of high school students are smokers.
• More than half of Oklahomans are considered overweight.
• More than 80% eat fewer fruits and vegetables than recommended
• Oklahoma ranks third worst in the nation among those who report no leisure time physical activity.
• One in five Oklahomans have high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in America.
• Nearly 60 million Americans suffer from heart disease today.
• Every 29 seconds an American will suffer a coronary event.
• About every 60 seconds, someone dies from heart disease.
• Heart disease is the number one killer of women as well as men.

National Facts:

• Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women over age 20. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills about 460,000 women a year.
• While 1 in 30 American women die of breast cancer, almost 1 in 3 will die from cardiovascular disease.
• Cardiovascular disease causes approximately 1 death per minute among females in the U.S.
• 43 million American women are living with cardiovascular disease.
• Sixty-four percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
• African-American and Mexican-American women have higher heart disease and stroke risk factors than white women of comparable socioeconomic status.
• Heart disease rates in post-menopausal women are two to three times higher than in pre-menopausal women of the same age.

About Oklahoma Heart Hospital:
Oklahoma Heart Hospital opened in August 2002 as the first all-digital hospital in America totally dedicated to the care of hearts. Cardiologists from Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates partnered with Mercy Health Center to make the hospital a reality. In 2006, demand for cardiovascular services in the region prompted a $98 million expansion at the hospital.

In 2010, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus opened its doors as an all-digital hospital specializing in the care of hearts. The South Campus partnered with Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Mercy Health Center, Norman Regional Health System and Midwest Regional System to bring cardiovascular services to south Oklahoma City and eastern Oklahoma County.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital – Serving the State, Leading the Nation.

OKLAHOMA KICKOFF OF NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY FEBRUARY 5^TH

HONORS WOMEN SAVED BY CPR

New Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus Joins American Heart Association Urging Women to Wear Red Friday, February 5

For More Information Contact:
Jane Braden 405.818.1905
jane@goodengroup.com

*Winner of the Oklahoma Heart Hospital – Oklahoma Heart Hero 2010 is the Garza Family from Hobart. Husband Albino saved 32-year-old wife Amy with CPR.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma women with heart disease who were revived in a 911 emergency will be honored alongside their rescuers at the 2010 kickoff of the Go Red for Women Wear Red Day to be held at the new Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus on February 5th at 10:30 a.m. One of the rescuers will be given the 2010 Oklahoma Heart Hero award for their courageous use of CPR in an emergency.

The American Heart Association celebrates February as National Heart Month and on Friday, February 5th millions of women, men and children across America will unite in support of the go Red for Women movement and take a stand against heart disease on "Wear Red Day". Go Red for Women is a nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power women have to band together and wipe out heart disease, by wearing red.

CPR saved Julie Avants, Edmond; Amy Garza, Hobart; and Loyce Newton Edwards, Oklahoma City. Their rescuers – two family members and a stranger - are finalists for the 4th Annual Oklahoma Heart Hero award. This is the 4th year for the award that in the past has honored family members, friends, strangers and emergency professionals who sometimes put their own lives on the line to save another.

• 32-year-old Amy Garza’s husband, Albino, was about to go to sleep around midnight when he realized Amy was making strange sounds in her sleep and looked very strange. Panic began to rise and when he checked her – he could find no pulse. Albino quickly began CPR and called 911. He told their 8-year-old daughter Jolie to wait outside for the ambulance and bring the EMT’s to her mother when they arrived. Amy reached the Oklahoma Heart Hospital alive but in a coma. The immediate worry was that Amy’s brain had been oxygen starved for an unknown period of time. To save her brain, Amy was placed in a hypothermic state and remained in a coma for 14 days. When she suddenly awoke with no apparent permanent injury, her doctor called it a miracle. Amy has been diagnosed with a genetic disorder called Long QT Syndrome. Because of Amy’s near death event, they discovered their daughter Jolie also has the same heart defect. Both Amy and Jolie now have Defibrillator/pacemakers to prevent their heart from going into that deadly rhythm.
• Single mother, 45-year-old Julie Avants, and her 15-year-old daughter Kathryn got up normally the morning of Julie’s heart emergency. Julie suddenly felt strange and went into the bathroom where she collapsed into her daughter’s arms. Kathryn called 911 and was getting her mother in position to begin CPR when paramedics arrived. Moments later at the hospital Julie went into full heart arrest. Julie had a history of heart disease, her first heart attack was at age 42. Subsequent to her heart emergency, Julie has also suffered a stroke and further complications of her heart disease requiring implantation of a heart defibrillator.
• Loyce Newton Edwards was walking with a friend in North Park Mall when she suddenly felt strange and literally fell to the ground unconscious. A stranger saw her fall and ran to her side. Ryan Stallings began immediate CPR until emergency personnel arrived on the scene. Loyce was diagnosed with a syndrome called Sudden Cardiac Death. She quickly underwent surgery to receive a heart stent and eventually a defibrillator to monitor any dangerous heart beats and shock her heart if needed.

The purpose of the Oklahoma Heart Hero award is to honor those who are prepared to deal with a cardiovascular emergency, educate others how to become prepared, and serve as an incentive for others to be trained in CPR and the use of an AED (automatic external defibrillator).

More than 41 million American women are living with one or more types of cardiovascular disease, yet only one in five view heart disease as their greatest health threat. One in three women has cardiovascular disease, and every minute one woman died as a result of this health threat. That’s why Go Red for Women, powered by the American Heart Association’s research, is educating and connecting millions of women of all ages in an effort to beat women’s number one killer.

• Oklahoma is number one in the nation in heart disease.
• Diabetes has increased an incredible 43% in the past decade in Oklahoma.
• One in four Oklahomans are smokers.
• In Oklahoma, 21% of middle school students and 42% of high school students are smokers.
• More than half of Oklahomans are considered overweight.
• More than 80% eat fewer fruits and vegetables than recommended
• Oklahoma ranks third worst in the nation among those who report no leisure time physical activity
• One in five Oklahomans have high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
• Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in America.
• Nearly 60 million Americans suffer from heart disease today.
• Every 29 seconds an American will suffer a coronary event.
• About every 60 seconds, someone dies from heart disease.
• Heart disease is the number one killer of women as well as men.

National Facts:

• Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women over age 20. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills about 460,000 women a year.
• While 1 in 30 American women die of breast cancer, almost 1 in 3 will die from cardiovascular disease.
• Cardiovascular disease causes approximately 1 death per minute among females in the U.S.
• 43 million American women are living with cardiovascular disease.
• Sixty-four percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
• African-American and Mexican-American women have higher heart disease and stroke risk factors than white women of comparable socioeconomic status.
• Heart disease rates in post-menopausal women are two to three times higher than in pre-menopausal women of the same age.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus Site for Go Red for Women Celebration 2010

Oklahoma Heart Hospital opened in August 2002 as the first all-digital hospital in America totally dedicated to the care of hearts. Cardiologists from Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates partnered with Mercy Health Center to make the hospital a reality. In 2006, demand for cardiovascular services in the region prompted a $98 million expansion at the hospital.

In 2010, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus opened its doors as an all-digital hospital specializing in the care of hearts. The South Campus partnered with Oklahoma Heart Hospital, Mercy Health Center, Norman Regional Health System and Midwest Regional System to bring cardiovascular services to south Oklahoma City and eastern Oklahoma County.

Oklahoma Heart Hospital – Serving the State, Leading the Nation. www.okheart.com

We are seeking nominations for the 2010 Oklahoma Heart Hero. This is award honors those who act to save another’s life in a cardiovascular emergency. The Oklahoma Heart Hero Award is designed to serve as an incentive for others to be trained in CPR and the use of an AED (automatic external defibrillator) and to have the confidence to get involved when circumstances are warranted.

Please fill out nomination form, here, and email it to Wendi Wilson at wwilson@okheart.com or fax to 405-608-3509.

Deadline for all nominations is January 29, 2010

Oklahoma Heart Hospital donated a new SPARKY costume for the OKC Fire Department canine mascot at the Oklahoma City Council September 29^th meeting.

“SPARKY” is the spokesman for spreading the word of fire safety to children and adults in clubs, schools, organizations, and special interest groups.

Mayor Mick Cornett, Fire Chief Keith Bryant, Deputy Fire Chiefs thank Oklahoma Heart Hospital representatives Wendi Wilson, Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus Chief Operating Officer John Austin, and Carl Frownfelter R.N. for the donation of the Sparky costume.

"SPARKY" is wearing a red fire helmet with a clear plastic visor that swings up and over the helmet or can swing down to protect his eyes. The head is covered with a white plush fur with black spots, and also comes with a matching set of gloves.

View the Invitation Details and Sponsership prices

Registration Form

Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus

Reaches Construction Milestone

Hospital is Joint Venture of Four Area Hospitals

 OKLAHOMA CITY – Construction on the $98-million, 163,000 square-foot, all-digital, state-of-the-art Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus passed the 50% inspection conducted by the Oklahoma Health Department. Oklahoma Heart Hospital South is being built by a consortium of hospitals including  Oklahoma Heart Hospital North, Mercy Health Center, Midwest Regional Medical Center and Norman Regional Health System.

“Increased demand for heart care in Oklahoma has forced us to accelerate the pace of construction at the South Campus to meet our patient’s needs. Exterior walls are up and interior walls are taking shape. We are on track to complete construction in 2009 and begin caring for patients in January 2010,” said Dr. John Harvey, CEO/President Oklahoma Heart Hospital. 

The successful model of heart care delivery, as developed at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital North Campus, prompted physicians from four hospitals to come together to create a very similar hospital in the underserved south region of Oklahoma City.  Oklahoma Heart Hospital South Campus will be a 46 bed facility with the capability to expand to 62 beds. Three catheterization labs will be built with additional space planned for a fourth electro physiology lab.  There will be two operating rooms with expansion capability for a third OR as needed in the future.  The new hospital will have 10 ER beds and 15 day patient beds. 

“Oklahoma’s continued ranking among the worst states in the nation in heart disease stokes the demand for cardiovascular services.  The demand also prompted a $55 million dollar expansion project at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital North Campus to add 21 inpatient beds, 10 ER beds and 3 new catheterization labs,” continued Dr. Harvey.  

The Oklahoma Heart Hospital leads the nation in patient satisfaction as noted by the prestigious Press Ganey Summit Award, an award given to hospitals that maintain the 95^th percentile of patient satisfaction for three consecutive years.  The hospitals actual patient satisfaction rate is above the 99^th percentile level. In 2006, Oklahoma Heart Hospital achieved a 100% rating from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for delivering quality treatment to the highest number of cardiovascular patients.

February 6 is National Wear Red Day

Awareness of Women and Heart Disease

American Heart Association celebrates February as National Heart Month

Oklahoma Heart Hospital Hosts Oklahoma City Kickoff Celebration

The 2009 kickoff of the Go Red for Women Wear Red Day was held at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital featuring a unique display of red dresses and personal stories of survival from Oklahoma women who faced heart disease in a variety of ways.

The American Heart Association celebrates February as National Heart Month and on Friday, Feb. 6^th millions of women, men and children across America united in support of the Go Red for Women movement and take a stand against heart disease on “Wear Red Day.”  Go Red for Women is a nationwide movement that celebrates the energy, passion and power women have to band together and wipe out heart disease, by wearing red! 

More than 41 million American women are living with one or more types of cardiovascular disease, yet only one in five view heart disease as their greatest health threat. One in three women has cardiovascular disease, and every minute one woman dies as a result of this health threat. That’s why Go Red For Women, powered by the American Heart Association’s research, is educating and connecting millions of women of all ages in an effort to beat our No. 1 killer. 

“We have selected 10 incredible women who are beating the odds against heart disease to tell their amazing stories.  Some of these women are thriving with implantable devices that are still in the research phase, others were saved by heroic CPR, many have survived near death experiences with sudden heart attack and others are winning against the once hopeless disease of congestive heart failure,” notes Peggy Tipton R.N., Chief Operating Officer, Oklahoma Heart Hospital. 

Life sized photographs of these women (see attached bios) in red along with their red dresses will be on display in the Oklahoma Heart Hospital throughout the month of February.  In addition to Wear Red Day, Sunday, February 8, the American Heart Association will be celebrating Power Sunday, an outreach effort targeting faith-based organizations with the intent to provide education and resources on heart health to its members. To register for Go Red Sunday, visit www.americanheart.org/scagoredsunday.

About Go Red For Women

Since 2004, Go Red For Women has captured the energy, passion, and intelligence of women to work collectively to wipe our heart disease—the No. 1 killer of women.  Today we want millions of women across America to take heart disease personally.  Using the simple platform “Love Your Heart,” Go Red For Women engages these women—and the men who love them—to embrace the cause.  Healthcare providers, celebrities, and politicians also elevate the cause and spread the word about women and heart disease.  For more information about Go Red For Women, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278) or visit www.GoRedForWomen.org.  The movement is nationally sponsored by Macy’s and Merck & Co., Inc.

Heart disease and stroke are the greatest health threats to women of all ethnic backgrounds, but only 21 percent realize it. Consider these facts:

• Coronary heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women over age 20. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills about 460,000 women a year.

• While 1 in 30 American women die of breast cancer, almost 1 in 3 will die from cardiovascular disease.

• Cardiovascular disease causes approximately 1 death per minute among females in the U.S.

• 43 million American women are living with cardiovascular disease.

• Sixty-four percent of women who died suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.

• African-American and Mexican-American women have higher heart disease and stroke risk factors than white women of comparable socioeconomic status.

• Heart disease rates in post-menopausal women are two to three times higher than in pre-menopausal women of the same age.

Our Hearts. Our Choice.

2008-09 key messages

 CHOICES. We face them every day. Some choices aren’t important, while others are life changing. But what if the seemingly unimportant choices were the ones that mattered? Like choosing to take the stairs, not the elevator? Opting for baked instead of fried?

What if these choices influenced whether you were the one in every three women to die of heart disease this year?

Choosing to ignore your heart health might not seem life changing today, but women are dying of heart disease at the rate of almost one per minute. Luckily, this No. 1 killer is largely preventable. We simply have to choose to act.

Our Hearts, Our Choice. Beat Heart Disease at GoRedForWomen.org.

REASONS TO BELIEVE

• Heart disease is not just a man’s disease, which is why Go Red For Women is dedicated to building awareness of heart disease among women.
• Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women age 20 and over, but it is largely preventable.
• 1 in 3 women has some form of cardiovascular disease.
• Cardiovascular disease kills approximately 460,000 women each year, which is about one every minute
• More women die of cardiovascular disease than the next five causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer
• Only 1 in 5 women believes that heart disease is her greatest health threat.
• Choosing to take care of our hearts can help us beat the No. 1 killer of women.
• Research shows that women who “Go Red” are more likely to make healthy choices.

For example:

• More than 40 percent have lost weight.
• More than half have increased their exercise.
• Six out of ten have changed their diets.
• 53 percent have checked their cholesterol levels.
• One third have investigated their family’s history of heart disease or talked to their doctors about their personal heart risks.

CHOOSE TO TAKE ACTION

• Heart disease kills one woman every minute, but we can change this statistic by making the right choices for our hearts.
• We can turn our personal choices into life-saving actions. Let’s choose to beat heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women, at GoRedForWomen.org.
• I choose not to be the 1 in 3 women to die of heart disease.
• I choose to beat heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women.
• I choose to empower myself with the facts.
• Visit GoRedForWomen.org and choose to take the Go Red Heart CheckUp to find out your 10-year risk of heart disease or stroke.
• Schedule a doctor’s appointment each year and get a complete blood screen. Visit GoRedForWomen.org and download “What to Know BEFORE Your Doctor Visit.”
• I choose to move, not sit. Visit GoRedForWomen.org and sign up for a FREE 12-week physical activity and nutrition program you can customize to fit your lifestyle.
• I choose to eat baked, not fried. Find cooking tips and flavorful recipes for you and your family in the Go Red For Women Recipe Collection cookbook available at ShopGoRed.org.
• I choose to breathe, not smoke. Find out how smoking increases your risk for heart disease at GoRedForWomen.org.
• I choose to inspire and connect.
• Share your story of the choices you have made to improve your well-being at GoRedForWomen.org.
• Visit GoRedForWomen.org to share your own story about the choices you made and the results you achieved.
• Encourage your family and friends to share their stories as well.
• I choose to show my support. Donate to Go Red For Women and help save a life today. Receive a red dress pin and wear it proudly to show your support!
• I choose to speak up, not remain silent. Support legislation that would improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart disease and stroke in women at HeartForWomen.org.
• I choose to beat heart disease at GoRedForWomen.org. Whether it’s eating healthier, exercising more, reducing our cholesterol, or quitting smoking, we can turn our personal choices into life-saving actions with the resources at GoRedForWomen.org.
• Go Red For Women, powered by the American Heart Association’s research, educates and connects millions of women of all ages. GoRedForWomen.org is the No. 1 online destination where women can learn how to make heart-healthy choices every day.

 For complete coverage go: http://www.okheart.com/2008-heart-hero-award

 LEXINGTON MOTHER NAMED

2008 OKLAHOMA HEART HERO AFTER SAVING INFANT SON 

OSU Student, Ponca City Paramedic and Oklahoma City Principal

Honored as Finalists for Life-Saving Rescues

OKLAHOMA CITY—Oklahoma Heart Hospital has announced the winner of the third annual Oklahoma Heart Hero award – Lexington mother Audra Skaggs.  “Audra has the foresight to be prepared and the courage to put her fears aside to rescue her baby when he became unconscious and quit breathing. She is an example to others that ordinary people can become extraordinary in the face of potential tragedy,” noted Dr. John Harvey, CEO/President Oklahoma Heart Hospital. 

The purpose of the award is to honor those who are prepared to deal with a cardiovascular emergency, educate others how to become prepared, serve as an incentive for others to be trained in CPR and use of an AED and to have the confidence to get involved when circumstances are warranted.

“This year brought in the largest number of nominations in the three year history of the award, stories ranging from heroes who performed CPR on family members, strangers and friends in a variety of situations that sometimes put their lives as risk,” noted Dr. John Harvey, CEO/President Oklahoma Heart Hospital.  “The purpose of these awards are to recognize civilians and trained rescuers who stepped up to attempt to save a life.” 

2008 nominations came from all over the state. The winner is determined by the events of the rescue, whether they were a civilian or trained professional, the age of the victim, and any special circumstances.  Winners had to administer CPR or use an Automated External Defibrillator device as are found in malls, businesses and schools. 

Three finalists have been named and the winners were announced during a reception at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital on Thursday, August 28th.  The Oklahoma Heart Hospital is located at 4050 W. Memorial Road, just east of Mercy Health Center.

2008 Oklahoma Heart Hero - Winner: 

Audra Skaggs – Rescued Infant Son

On November 1^st Audra Skaggs was alone at home in Lexington with her 3-year-old child and 10 month-old baby Jhett.  Jhett had medical problems but no diagnosed heart problems.  That day Jhett stopped breathing and lost consciousness.  Audra knew CPR and quickly overcome the natural panic and fear of seeing her baby stop breathing, to begin the technique to revive him.   

He was airlifted to Children’s Hospital where they discovered the baby had a rare disease of the heart called left ventricular non-compaction cardiomyopathy.  For two weeks he lay sedated and unconscious before making the long flight to Houston for a heart transplant.  One November 29^th – Jhett received his new heart – thanks to his mothers CPR training, quick thinking, and courage in crisis.

Finalist - Principal Mickey Wilson – Rescued Student:

Mickey Wilson, the Principal at Harvest Hills Elementary in Oklahoma City knew something was terribly wrong outside his office on November 20^th 2007. 10-year-old Casey Amend was slumped over a chair in cardiac arrest.  The whole office leaped into action – calling 911, clearing the area while Wilson began performing CPR on the boy.  The boy still was lifeless when paramedics arrived with an AED.. and still no response.  ER doctors finally restored a pulse, but the boy suffered massive strokes and lingered on a ventilator.  His family was told he was brain-dead.  An outpouring of prayers came for Casey.  The next 16 days he began steady improvement and two months later Casey was back at school – with no brain injury and no permanent damage.  He is still undergoing specialized rehabilitation in Texas – but there is such great hope thanks to this principal and his office team.

Finalist - Chelsea Dyer/Rick Baird – Rescued Stranger:

Chelsea Dyer was the senior mat maid for the Ponca City High School Wrestling team.  One of her jobs is to make sure the team always has an automatic external defibrillator on hand in case of an emergency. On December 15, 2007 in Kansas City 24 wrestling teams from across the country were competing.  Suddenly, a fan in the stands went down.  Rick Baird was watching his son wrestle on the Ponca City team when he saw the man go unconscious.  As an off-duty fireman, he quickly began CPR.  Chelsea saw the emergency unfold across the arena and immediately knew the AED was needed.  She rushed to retrieve the AED and get it to Baird – the man was saved. Ponca City was the only one of 24 teams that carried the life-saving device.  The Ponca City wrestling coach made the commitment to carry an AED every the team goes after an incident last year in which a Ponca City youth was saved at an Oklahoma State University wrestling camp because the OSU wrestling trainers were certified in CPR and the use of AED’s.  The OSU trainers were the winners of last years Oklahoma Heart Heroes – and now their efforts have led to another life saved. 

Giving Heart Award also awarded.  The 2008 “Oklahoma Giving Heart” award will be given to an organization whose collective actions and commitment to life-saving training techniques have saved lives this year and likely will again in the future.

Oklahoma Giving Heart Winner - Fillmore Elementary School:

Spring 2008,  the attendance secretary at Fillmore Elementary School in Oklahoma City Demetri Wooten was in the office when a student’s mother came into the office carrying her infant.  Moments later Demetri noticed panic in the mothers face and realized the baby was turning blue – not breathing.  The secretary immediately ran to the baby’s side and began CPR, by the time paramedics arrived two-month-old Lucero Montero was breathing again.  The baby wasn’t the first life saved this year at Fillmore Elementary. Months earlier another teacher performed the Heimlich Maneuver to save a students life. 

Oklahoma schools are required to train two people at each school in CPR – but Fillmore Elementary Principal Susan Martin says that isn’t nearly enough – she wants 100% of her staff trained in the life-saving technique.  That commitment is saving lives and setting an example for other Oklahoma schools, companies and organizations. 

Carl J. Rubenstein, MD was elected to serve as president-elect of the Southwest Lipid Association at the Association’s 2008 Scientific Forum held in Denver, Colorado, July 17-20. This meeting is the largest annual gathering of American lipidologists, healthcare professionals who work with metabolic disorders, cholesterol management, and cardiovascular disease and prevention, in the Southwest.

Dr. Rubenstein is currently serving as Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma. He is a partner in the Oklahoma Cardiovascular Associates group and Director of its Lipid-Atherosclerosis-Metabolic Program, and is on the Senior Staff of the Oklahoma Heart Hospital and Mercy Hospital. He joined the full time Cardiology faculty and the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in 1972 , and switched to private practice in 1983. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and earned his MD from Duke University Medical School where he also did his traininig in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. He has been and continues to be involved in numerous clinical research studies.

Dr. Rubenstein was chosen for this honor by the Southwest Lipid Association (SWLA), which is a Chapter of the National Lipid Association (NLA), in recognition of his many professional achievements and his dedication to the NLA. He is a founding board member of SWLA , a 7-state region, and has helped grow the association since its establishment in 2006. He was the first physician in Oklahoma to be a Diplomate of the Americal Board of Clinical Lipidology. He is actively involved in patient care, with a fulltime practice, predominantly working in the area of lipid disorders and related, diseases, he contributes to numerous drug studies and clinical trials, has given many lectures on the subject of lipidology and is active in medical student teaching.