Heart Institute Opens

On November 13, the Heart Institute at the Western Maryland Health System officially opened it doors for business on the Sacred Heart Campus as the first procedures were performed on that day.  Months of preparation by WMHS staff and management were capped off by an open house for employees on November 11 and a public open house on November 12, which was attended by an estimated 500 people.  During the open houses WMHS employees conducted tours of the two open-heart operating room suites and the new Cardiovascular Unit.  The week prior to the opening featured the introduction of new several staff members and a series training exercises including a "dry run" of the open-heart surgery procedure.

Surgical staff members explain their role in the surgical procedure to a standing room crowd who toured the new open-heart operating suites during the open house for the public.  

Certified surgery technician Lisa Jackson (left) shows WMHS employees Karen Ashby (Administration) and Ruth Summers (Human Resources) some of the devices used during open-heart procedures as fellow technician Missy Graziano (right) looks on.   

Father Fred Cutajar leads the service at the blessing of the new Cardiovascular Unit (CVU) during the employee open house.  Cardiac surgeon Dr. Mark Nelson (left) and WMHS board member Sr. Vincentia Goeb also took part in the ceremony.

One week before the first procedure was scheduled the open-heart surgical team held a "dry run" that simulated the actual conditions of a real surgery.  Surgical team members (from left) Lisa Jackson (CST), Dr. Mark Nelson, Missy Graziano (CST), Kara Kimberly (C-PA) and anesthesiologist Dr. Aaron Hensley, operate on mock patient Scott Burleson, WMHS Vice President for Clinical Service Lines.