ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — The Hardin Memorial Health (HMH) Board of Trustees authorized $1.2 million in capital funding at its June meeting today to support the healthcare system’s growing cardiology program. The HMH cardiology team cares for more than 14,000 patients, adding more than 3,000 new patients a year. The funding will allow HMH to add a new cardiologist and additional nurses next year at HMH Central Cardiology Associates. The Cardinal Drive practice location will also undergo renovations to accommodate the growing team, allowing them to see more patients and provide improved comfort and care.
HMH Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Tom Carrico said the investment will enable HMH to purchase new nuclear imaging equipment that will be housed at the hospital’s main campus.
“HMH is committed to providing evidence-based cardiology care close to home. When the Central Cardiology Associates team joined the HMH family three years ago, it allowed us to take our heart program to a whole new level,” said Carrico. “Today, this critically important investment will allow us to keep growing to meet the tremendous demand for cardiac services”.
HMH Medical Group Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Joseph Valayam, M.D. was on hand for the board meeting and expressed enthusiasm.
“We want to provide HMH cardiac patients with the very best care,” said Dr. Valayam. “Improvements to our practice and the latest in nuclear imaging technology will help us do just that.”
The capital funds for cardiology services are part of the fiscal year 2020 budget that the board unanimously approved today. The budget also includes capital funding to replace the roof on the helipad tower. Built in 1993, Carrico said, the roof system is significantly beyond its service life, exhibits extensive deterioration, and is a main contributor to water leaks into the building.
In order to replace the roof, the HMH heliport has been temporarily relocated to the third level of the parking garage.
“These capital investments are exciting but barely scratch the surface. Until the sale of HMH to Baptist Health is final, we will not have enough capital to make all of the investments HMH needs and our patients deserve,” said Dennis Johnson, HMH President and CEO.
Add Comment