Cardiology Associates meet Acheson Challenge for Heart Care
Cardiology Associates, PC, of Port Huron, a local group of physicians who specialize in heart care, has pledged $250,000 toward the Acheson Challenge for Heart Care through Partners at Heart, a joint venture cardiac program of Mercy and Port Huron Hospitals. This gift fulfills the match, making a total of $1.3 million available for a cardiovascular lab dedicated to electrophysiology.
According to Dr. Bashar Samman, president of Cardiology Associates: "We, at Cardiology Associates, recognize the generosity and commitment of Mr. James Acheson and his ongoing giving to our town. We would like to thank Mr. Acheson for his dedication to our town and the people of this great community. We are honored to partner with him to enable Partners at Heart to establish electrophysiology services in Port Huron. We felt very strongly about the need to deliver the electrophysiology services locally to complete the cardiac services in our community."
Cardiology Associates has supported the community for over 30 years including donations to the American Heart Association Heart Ball and Heart Walk, the Port Huron Area School District, a scholarship to St. Clair County Community College, March of Dimes, Peoples' Clinic for Better Health, co-sponsored by Mercy Hospital and the St. Clair County Medical Society, and Mid-City Nutrition.
"This gift to complete the match is a testament to the commitment that the physicians of Cardiology Associates have for this community," said Donna Niester of the James C. Acheson Foundation. "Providing funding for the electrophysiology program ensures that a full range of treatment for heart disease is available close to home."
Partners at Heart was awarded $650,000 by the James C. Acheson Foundation in the form of a matching grant to fund a dedicated Electrophysiology Lab at Port Huron Hospital. Trinity Health, sponsor of Mercy Hospital, has donated $400,000 towards this match.
Heart disease is often thought of as a problem with the arteries supplying the heart or with the heart muscles. However, some patients have abnormalities in the "electrical" conducting systems that regulate cardiac rate and rhythm. The Partners at Heart electrophysiology program specializes in the management of cardiac arrhythmias and arrhythmia-related problems.
Partners at Heart, a joint program of Mercy and Port Huron hospitals since 1993, provides comprehensive, high quality cardiac care to Michigan's Blue Water communities. Mortality and stroke rates for Partners at Heart surgical patients are better than state and national rates, enabling residents of the area to access high-quality care without leaving the community.