Lovelace acquires Heart Institute

Cardiology practice to retain name, leadership

Lovelace Health System has acquired the New Mexico Heart Institute.

The Heart Institute bills itself as the state’s largest private cardiology practice, with 200 employees serving patients in 25 communities across New Mexico.

According to a news release from Lovelace, the Heart Institute will maintain its name and leadership. Dr. Sean Mazer is the Institute’s executive medical director and Trena Chagnon is its chief administrative officer.

Dr. John Cruickshank, chief executive officer of Lovelace Medical Group, will lead the integration effort.

A Lovelace spokeswoman declined to release financial details of the acquisition agreement.

“Together, we have built one of the state’s most recognized and well-regarded cardiovascular programs,” Ron Stern, president and CEO of Lovelace Health System, said in a prepared statement. “By fully integrating the Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace Medical Center and NMHI, we will be able to offer improved continuity of care and a more seamless patient experience. This partnership also provides an opportunity to better serve the rural communities of New Mexico where cardiology services can be scarce.”

The Heart Institute earlier this year terminated its contract with Presbyterian Health Plan, affecting 3,000 patients in the Albuquerque area. At the time, Brady Gear, senior director of finance and payer strategy, said NMHI wanted to focus on other partnerships, including those with the Heart Hospital of New Mexico at Lovelace and the University of New Mexico Hospital.