Heart teams vital for patient care success

Dr. Michael J. Mack

By Doug Boyd
ECU News Services

One of the nation’s leading heart surgeons says cardiologists and surgeons should work together as teams to provide the best options and care for patients with cardiovascular disease – an approach that’s already in use at East Carolina University.

Dr. Michael J. Mack, medical director of cardiovascular surgery at Baylor Scott & White Health and chairman of The Heart Hospital at the Baylor Plano Research Center, both in Dallas, spoke Wednesday at the East Carolina Heart Institute at ECU.

Mack emphasized the need for hospitals to align economically with practitioners and the need for transparency in payment systems, since payment models will be based on the best clinical outcomes. He also noted the need for new ways of teaching younger medical professionals to ensure mastery of surgical techniques.

Mack was speaking at the 12th annual Will Camp Sealy Lecture in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Approximately 250 health care professionals and students attended.