Dr. Toby Cosgrove discusses Cleveland Clinic Perspective on New Alliance

FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND ALLIANCE BETWEEN
MEDSTAR HEART INSTITUTE AND CLEVELAND CLINIC

Clinical and Research Alliance Further Strengthens Region's Leading Cardiac Care Program
Washington, D.C., Jan. 7, 2013 - MedStar Heart Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center announced today it has entered into a first-of-its-kind clinical and research alliance with world-renowned Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic. The alliance further strengthens MedStar Heart Institute's position as the Washington D.C., region's premier destination for heart care. It provides patients with new and enhanced treatment options, and accelerated access to the most advanced research, technologies and techniques in cardiology and cardiac surgery.

"This alliance unites two of the nation's most well-respected heart programs," said Kenneth A. Samet, FACHE, President and CEO, MedStar Health. "By working together, we will be developing and sharing new and better treatments and therapies to benefit all patients who reach out to us for heart care."

MedStar Heart Institute already has one of the highest-volume cardiac programs in the nation, as well as a robust research program that will only be strengthened by formal connections to Cleveland Clinic. The two organizations will share best practices related to the various disciplines within cardiology and cardiac surgery, and MedStar physicians will work with Cleveland Clinic on quality outcomes and protocols to accelerate improvements in heart care and research.

"We have long been impressed with the depth of clinical expertise and research capabilities at MedStar Heart Institute, and our teams are already working closely on advanced research studies," said Toby Cosgrove, MD, President and CEO of Cleveland Clinic. "This new alliance is an ideal opportunity to formalize our relationship to benefit patients and enhance our clinical collaboration."


This clinical and research alliance builds upon a relationship established between MedStar Health and Cleveland Clinic. The two formed an Innovation Alliance in 2011 to develop new ideas, strategies and technology for the healthcare marketplace.

MedStar Heart Institute is a regional cardiac care network, which includes MedStar Washington Hospital Center, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center and MedStar St. Mary's Hospital. Together, MedStar Heart Institute sees more patients, trains more physicians and conducts more innovative cardiac research than any other health system in the region.