For the Reporter
Two well regarded health care organizations are coming together to create a new and innovative cardiovascular institute focused on improving the health of the community.
The new entity, called Pulse Heart Institute, brings together the expertise and resources of MultiCare Health System and Cardiac Study Center to provide seamless and simplified care in clinics and hospitals throughout the Puget Sound region.
“Combining these two organizations will make us all partners working toward the same purpose,” said Dr. Needham Ward, chief medical officer of Pulse and a cardiologist at Cardiac Study Center for the past 34 years. “Our providers, nurses and staff are dedicated to coordinating the care of our patients to improve their health and wellness.”
The institute will serve the Pacific Northwest and significantly increase the number of physicians treating heart and vascular disease in the area, including expanding vascular surgery services in Auburn and cardiothoracic surgery services in Puyallup. That means better access to expert care and a shorter scheduling window when making appointments. The expansion also will include heart and vascular research including investigator-initiated trials that will provide advanced, new treatment options for patients.
Heart disease is the second leading cause of death in Pierce County and Washington state and a serious health condition affecting thousands of residents. Pulse will lead the charge to improve the health of the region’s population and help residents live longer, happier lives.
“MultiCare believes that we are all stronger working as a team to take care of the health of our population,” said Bill Robertson, president and CEO of MultiCare Health System. “We have worked alongside Cardiac Study Center for many years and are excited about what this aligned organization can achieve as we work toward healing and a healthy future.”
The integrated cardiovascular organization will unite cardiac, thoracic and vascular services into one entity to manage prevention through diagnosis, treatment, management and supportive care.
Pulse is a physician-led entity structured around five patient centers: heart rhythm, advanced heart failure, structural heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and coronary artery disease.
Pulse manages more than 600 employees including 44 providers. The entity manages Cath Lab facilities, outpatient imaging facilities, cardiac rehabilitation, heart failure, valve, device clinics, Coronary Care Units and Cardiovascular Intensive Care Units.
