Mission Celebrates 40 Years of Heart
12/01/2011
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The speakers at the 40 Years of Heart celebration from left, Brian H. Asbill, M.D., F.A.C.C, Asheville Cardiology Associates and Heart Service Line leader at Mission Hospital; Ron A. Paulus, M.D., President and CEO of Mission Health; Robert L. Wade, Jr., M.D., F.A.C.C., chairman of the practice board at Asheville Cardiology Associates; Stephen Ely, M.D., PhD., president, Asheville Heart; Cecil Bothwell, City of Asheville councilmember.
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With physicians past and present, staff, board members and a city council proclamation, 40 Years of Heart in Western North Carolina was celebrated Nov. 29.
“The City of Asheville proclaims Nov. 29th Asheville Heart Day in recognition of 40 years of exemplary patient care in Western North Carolina,” read city councilman Cecil Bothwell. A similar proclamation was issued in July for Asheville Cardiology Associates’ 40-year celebration.
The event recognized the first open heart surgery performed by F.M. “Mac" Mauney, Jr, MD., of Asheville Heart at Memorial Mission Hospital 40 years ago and the opening of Asheville Cardiology Associates in 1971.
“The people who founded this had immense courage. We must have the courage to find ways to innovate as we move into the future,” said Robert Wade, Jr., MD., FACC., chairman of the practice board at Asheville Cardiology Associates.
Among the hospital's many distinctions and recognitions, this year Mission Health received its 10th consecutive 3-star rating, the highest rating given by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, and, for the second time, the cardiovascular surgery recovery unit and cardiovascular intensive care unit at Mission Hospital received the prestigious Beacon Award for Critical Care Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
“The success of the program is built on teamwork. We couldn’t achieve the successes we have today without this team of caring people,” said Stephen Ely, MD, PhD., president of Asheville Heart.
While the pioneers of heart care were noted and recognized during the program, Mission Health President and CEO Ron Paulus also spoke of a bright future for the people of this area.
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Retired Asheville Heart surgeon George Bilbrey, M.D., Ron A. Paulus, M.D., President and CEO of Mission Health; and retired Asheville Heart surgeon C. Porter Claxton, M.D., at the 40 Years of Heart celebration.
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“It is a privilege to be part of 40 years of heart and it is with great anticipation that we look forward to our continued success as we strive to improve outcomes and quality of life for Western North Carolina.”
From the humble beginnings to the opening of Mission’s Owen Heart Center, appreciation for the kind of health care provided in WNC was at the heart of this celebration.
“We know how lucky we are to have Mission in our community,” said Bothwell.
For more about Mission's heart services, visit www.Missionhospitals.org/heart
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