A major milestone was met in Sanford Bemidji’s journey towards accomplishing its vision as a premier regional, innovative, rural health care delivery organization. A team of medical specialists at Sanford Bemidji successfully completed its first three cardiac catheterizations procedures.
“It is a wonderful thing to have happen to this community,” said Dr. Jeffrey Watkins, interventional cardiologist at Sanford Bemidji Clinic, “and it was accomplished through teamwork with a large group of very supportive people working together.” A 20-person team of imaging, surgical and cardiology professionals representing Sanford Health in both Fargo and Bemidji have been carefully planning for several months to assure the safe and successful initiation of this groundbreaking program.
“This is a visible demonstration of the commitment Sanford Health made to this region when we joined the Sanford family,” stated Paul Hanson, president of Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota. “We talked a lot during the affiliation discussions about the synergy between the clinic and hospital, and what we could accomplish should we come together. Sometimes its what you bring together that sets you apart,” added Hanson.
The launching of cardiac catheterizations in Bemidji is just the first step in the culmination of years of community aspirations for a local cardiology program. “We are limiting our services to catheterizations to start, but will move very soon to doing cardiac stents,” stated Watkins.We are aggressively recruiting additional cardiologists so we can have expanded coverage, and have plans to build a dedicated cardiology center in the next 18-24 months.
Prior to the implementation of the new cardiology service, patients were required to travel to larger tertiary medical centers for this diagnostic service. “Patients and their families are extremely grateful to be able to get this kind of service close to home, near family and friends,” stated Shirley Heintz, chief nursing officer at Sanford Bemidji.
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