At Pikeville Medical Center’s (PMC) Press Conference Tuesday, November 27, plans were displayed, mapping out the future of heart care in the region.
PMC Senior Vice President and Chief Regulatory Officer, Cheryl Hickman began by outlining the history of heart care at the hospital. “In order to appreciate where we are now, you must understand our history of investing in cardiac care at PMC,” said Hickman.
Why was cardiac care necessary in the region? Hickman says most people do not understand that providing a heart patient a higher level of care, at that time, meant two and one half hours in the back of an ambulance.
Hickman was one of the nurses who worked with cardiac care at PMC and has watched it develop into the life-saving department it is today.
“Today, we are unveiling monumental capital investments that will forever change cardiac care not just for us, but for our children, grandchildren and future generations,” said Hickman.
The new Heart and Vascular Institute will be located in the Miners Building. The new space will include a new Cardiac Rehab Department, 29 exam rooms, two waiting rooms, one new electrophysiology cath lab, one new cath lab, and one existing electrophysiology cath lab, each with their own control room, six pre/post-operative bays, physician locker rooms, registration area and a multipurpose room.
The second floor of the Miners Building has already started demolition. This, more than 14,000 square feet area, houses the physician work area and several support services. The Miners Building will also see a two-story addition involving a space exceeding 9,000 square feet.
Rounding out this amazing new area is new construction of the canopy and vestibule at the heart institute entry and reskin of the Miners Building, giving the exterior and roof a new modern look.
PMC Board of Directors, President, Ron Burchett said, “Not only will you see a state-of-the-art facility but the services we are providing will save countless lives right here in our community.”
“These are amazing achievements, in the world of heart care, and they are taking place right here at PMC,” said PMC Board Member, John LaBreche.
Procedures are now being performed that have never been done in the region and are the same procedures you would have traveled hours to receive in years past.
The PMC Heart and Vascular Institute is leading the way in heart health. The new expansion of the heart and vascular institute is a USDA project with an estimated price tag of $32 million and construction completion date is August of 2020.
For more information about the PMC Heart and Vascular Institute, visit pikevillehospital.org or call 606-430-2201.
