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AUSTIN REGIONAL CLINIC AND SETON HEART INSTITUTE ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP
January 19, 2011- Seton Family of Hospitals announced today that the Seton Heart Institute (SHI) is partnering with Austin Regional Clinic to offer cardiology services at ARC clinics. The establishment of SHI and its partnership with ARC is part of the Seton Family of Hospitals' strategy to improve overall health care delivery services through a collaborative or integrated care approach.
Housing cardiologists with other specialists and primary care physicians at ARC facilities will ensure that patients receive the benefits of a team approach to health care. Heart disease can mimic and aggravate other conditions, therefore, having same-office access to a cardiologist can speed diagnosis and close treatment gaps. Other benefits for patients with complex needs may include faster interventions, and fewer repetitive diagnostic tests such as labs and X-rays.
"The Seton Family of Hospitals maintains an excellent reputation in patient care and a long tradition of cardiovascular excellence," said Dr. Norman Chenven, ARC founder and chief executive officer. "This new partnership will provide Central Texans with convenient access to quality cardiac care, an extension of the team approach to health care delivery."
The Seton Family of Hospitals recently recruited a top cardiologist to direct the Seton Heart Institute. Mark J. Pirwitz, M.D., FACC, president and chief executive officer of the institute, began his practice in Austin in 1996 before joining Spokane Cardiology in Washington. Dr. Pirwitz will also lead efforts to increase Seton's network of cardiac research and growing medical education programs.
"Improving collaboration of heart specialists and primary care providers will ensure speed and optimal delivery of care, two important factors for cardiac patients where response time is critical," said Dr. Pirwitz said. "Under this partnership, ARC and SHI will be able to conduct diagnostic tests and recommend treatments more seamlessly and thereby, improve overall patient outcomes."
Seton Heart Institute cardiologists are now practicing at ARC Far West Medical Tower located at 6811 Austin Center Blvd. The Far West/Loop 1 corridor is a major hub for health care providers. SHI physicians will also practice out of other ARC clinics including La Frontera in Round Rock and their South First Street clinics beginning this spring.
SHI has offices at Medical Park Tower on 38th Street in Austin, Medical Plaza I on Seton Parkway in Round Rock, and the Seton Family of Doctors clinic on Kyle Center Drive in Kyle.
SHI offers a full range of invasive and non-invasive cardiology services, including general cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiac transplants, and implantation of Ventricular Assist Devices (VAD) and continues to be the only designated heart transplant center in Austin.
About Austin Regional Clinic
Austin Regional Clinic is a multispecialty medical group committed to providing comprehensive health care services throughout the greater Austin area. Founded by three physicians in 1980, it now provides healthcare to over 350,000 area residents with 18 locations in six cities, including both primary and specialty care. It is unique to the Austin area because of the widespread locations, convenient services and quality assurance programs. ARC patients enjoy such conveniences as same-day appointments, daytime urgent care, after hours care, and nursing services via telephone through the night. Most ARC offices also offer on-site radiology and lab services and some offices offer specialty programs such as a travel clinic and weight loss programs. Patients can also request future or same-day appointments from the ARC web site. For more information, visit www.austinregionalclinic.com.
About the Seton Family of Hospitals and Seton Heart Institute
The Seton Family of Hospitals is the leading provider of comprehensive, advanced health care services in Central Texas. As a growing center for medical research and innovation, Seton is increasing access to care and securing its mission to improve the health of all Central Texans, especially the poor and the vulnerable. In Fiscal Year 2009, Seton provided almost a quarter of a billion dollars in charity care. Seton is a member of Ascension Health, the largest not-for-profit health network in the nation.
Seton is the only healthcare system in Central Texas with the expertise and technology to perform heart transplants and implant ventricular assist devices. The Seton Heart Institute extends the full continuum of heart care to participating clinics. More information can be found at www.setonheart.com.