UNM Hospital partners with NM Heart Institute

Contract in effect for 10-year period

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center on Wednesday announced an agreement allowing the state’s largest cardiology practice to provide services to patients at UNM Hospital.

Under the agreement with UNM Medical Group, the New Mexico Heart Institute will provide cardiac electrophysiology and cardiothoracic surgery services to patients at the hospital for a period of 10 years.

The contract went into effect Jan. 1.

Michael E. Richards, the university’s vice president for clinical affairs, said the partnership “ensures stability and sustainability for patients.”

“As New Mexico’s only Level I trauma center, we provide crucial cardiovascular care when seconds count,” Richards said in a statement. “This partnership strengthens our ability as a health care network to diagnose, treat and save lives.”

The university described the hospital’s current cardiology offerings as “expansive.” It has a coronary care unit, cardiac catheterization lab, electrophysiology lab, echocardiography lab, heart station, nuclear cardiology laboratory and a 20-bed cardiac stepdown unit.

Trena Chagnon, chief operating officer for the Heart Institute said the company was excited to broaden its relationship with the university.

“It is these kinds of relationships that positively impact the health care delivery system by lowering costs while creating efficiency and stability,” said Chagnon in a statement. “We are proud of the high-quality, innovative care that NMHI physicians provide and we are confident that this relationship will benefit the residents of New Mexico.”