UK St. Claire Joins UK HealthCare’s Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Affiliate Network

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, UK St. Claire officially announced a new partnership with the UK HealthCare Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Affiliate Network (GAN). Physicians, administrators, and cardiac-care providers from across the enterprise joined with community leaders and colleagues from GAN to celebrate this exciting collaboration and what it will mean for patients throughout the region.

“The additional benefits and resources this new affiliation provides will make a tremendous difference in the cardiovascular health of our region,” said Donald H. Lloyd, II, SCH President/CEO.

Gill affiliate members are part of a large network of regional and community hospitals across the state that are committed to enhancing access to high-quality cardiovascular care and providing the right care in the right place at the right time. The affiliate network includes 21 hospitals, more than 10 outreach locations, and seven sites where Gill provides cardiac image interpretation services across the spectrum of imaging modalities. Access to these extra resources will allow SCH to develop and better serve its region.

“St. Claire has a long history of serving the people of northeastern Kentucky with excellent patient care,” said Navin Rajagopalan, MD, heart failure cardiologist and director of the UK Gill Affiliate Network. “We’re honored to be part of this community and to partner with their providers to bring advanced care to patients with complex heart disease.”

Heart disease is the number one killer in the U.S. and the world, claiming more than 10,000 lives a year in Kentucky alone. That’s more than one per hour. This represents some of the highest rates of heart disease in the country. With heart disease being so prevalent, the need for advanced cardiovascular care is higher than ever and is only expected to increase in the future.

“GAN will help SCH become a top-notch center of excellence in cardiovascular care, so we can continue to expand the mindful care that matters to the people of Eastern Kentucky,” added Gary M. Bunch, MD, SCH Chief Medical Officer and VP for Medical Affairs.