By Joe Malan, Staff Writer
Oklahoma has more cardiovascular-related deaths on average than 47 other states in the nation, according to United Health Founda-tion.
Medical personnel at Integris Bass Baptist Health Center want to help change that throu-gh the health center’s new Integris Heart and Vascular Institute of North-west Oklahoma.
Wednesday was the official groundbreaking ceremony for the cardiology center, which is expected to be completed by spring 2011. The center will provide a variety of services to patients relating to heart and vascular health.
Jeff Tarrant, president of Integris Bass Baptist Health Center, said the project had been “multiple years” in planning.
He said the project is especially important for Enid residents and northwest Oklahomans.
“We’re painfully aware cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., and in Enid and northwest Oklahoma there is a higher rate of cardiovascular disease,” Tarrant said.
The new cardiology facility, an $8 million project, will encompass 16,500 square feet east of the hospital, at 707 S. Monroe, on the other side of the street.
Three cardiologists, Dr. Gary Badzinski, Dr. John Schrader and Dr. Douglas Brown, will do their work there, as will Dr. David Vanhooser, a cardiothoracic surgeon.
Several mach-ines related to cardiovascular health also will be in the building. Diagnostic equipment will include a 64 Slice CT, nuclear medicine camera, X-ray, stress test and ultrasound.
The building also will house a cardiac/pulmonary rehab unit.
“The center will provide shorter turnaround times in diagnosis and treatment of patients and increase clinical collaboration,” said Anita Andrew, spokeswoman for Bass. “Tracking of patient progression will improve due to the full continuum of care being in one place.”
Badzinski and Vanhoos-er, both speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony, credited the staff of Bass “and their forward-thinking” for being able to build the facility.
Stuart Mitchell, managing director of rural facilities for Integris Health, also touted the success of the hospital.
“We’ve always had an outstanding heart program since we started, and this will build on it,” he said.
