Baptist Heart Institute at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis

Host Jeremy C. Park talks with Tom Wills, Chief Administrative Officer with the Baptist Heart Institute at Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis, who highlights the Baptist Heart Institute's cardiac care services, operations, and community engagement efforts, and emphasizes the importance of preventative health and self-care. During the interview, Tom talks about the Institute's organizational philosophy, emphasizing its partnership with surgeons, cardiologists, and referring physicians. He highlights the Institute's role as a referral center, particularly in high-risk surgeries. Tom further details the heart transplant program, which has been in operation for 40 years, and the use of mechanical circulatory support. Tom shares his experience with the recent heart transplant reunion event, which was well-attended and emotionally impactful. He also mentions the Institute's holistic approach to patient care, including disease management and the use of AI technology, including how AI is being used to identify incidental aortic valve calcium.

Tom discusses the Baptist Heart Institute's community engagement and patient education efforts, emphasizing the importance of preventative health and self-care. He talks about how Baptist continues to conduct community outreach programs, including hands-only CPR training and participation in health fairs. Tom highlights the institute's various accreditations and awards, and encouraged community members to take advantage of health fairs and patient assistance programs. Tom then shares warning signs for heart-related issues and stresses the importance of open communication between patients and healthcare providers. He concludes by sharing some of his goals for the future and expressing the institute's continued goal of saving one more life at a time.

Visit https://www.baptistonline.org to learn more about the Baptist Heart Institute, Baptist Memorial Hospital - Memphis, and Baptist Memorial Health Care.