Pediatric Heart Institute
Program: Pediatric Heart Institute
Position: The Pediatric Heart Institute serves a three-state area: West Tennessee, East Arkansas and North Mississippi. Services provided by the institute include the diagnosis and treatment of congenital defects, arrhythmias, and acquired diseases of the heart in the fetus, infant and child. Adults with congenital heart defects also receive cardiac care through the institute.
Established as a partnership between the UTHSC, UT Medical Group and Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, the Pediatric Heart Institute combines research and teaching capabilities with patient care. The institute works in tandem with the Maternal/Fetal Centers at Le Bonheur and at The MED to diagnose and manage cardiac problems occurring during the fetal period. The institute also provides cardiac services for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and collaborates with the hospital on clinical and basic science research.
Leaders: Since 2007 – Thomas K. Chin, MD, medical director of the Pediatric Heart Institute and chief of pediatric cardiology; and Since 2008 – Christopher Knott-Craig, MD, surgical director of the Pediatric Heart Institute and chief of pediatric cardiovascular (CV) surgery
Vision: To provide accessible, full-service, patient-centered care that is unsurpassed in quality.
Founded: 2007
Current Teams: Pediatric Cardiology – 13 cardiologists and cardiac intensivists, including specialists in diagnostic and interventional catheterization; echocardiograms in fetuses, infants and children; arrhythmia and cardiac electrophysiology, exercise physiology, cardiac intensive care, adult congenital heart disease Pediatric CV Surgery – Three surgeons with expertise in repair of congenital heart defects, pediatric heart transplants, hyperhydrosis
Core Strength: “Our team of cardiologists and surgeons is composed of physicians who have been recruited from essentially every major medical center across the country. The strength of our program is due to the diversity and expertise offered by each individual physician, the collective experience offered by the group, and to the ability of our group to work in a cohesive manner,” Dr. Chin said.
“We have successfully provided comprehensive pediatric cardiac services to a three-state area by establishing a strong tertiary care center and academic teaching hospital – Le Bonheur, The MED and St. Jude; by maintaining a network of eight out-patient satellite clinics, and by developing an extensive telemedicine program throughout the areas we serve,” he observed.
“The surgical program has grown and developed rapidly under Dr. Knott-Craig’s leadership. This growth is demonstrated by the increase in the volume and complexity of cases – more than 360 major procedures last year – the exceptional outcomes, and the low morbidity and mortality,” Dr. Chin explained, adding, “The perioperative care was enhanced by the opening of a ‘stand-alone’ cardiac intensive care unit two years ago, and the recruitment of a team of cardiac intensivists and cardiac intensive care nurses.
“Our academic mission is exemplified by our pediatric cardiology fellowship program, which includes six fellows. The physicians completing training in our organization have been extremely well prepared and have obtained faculty positions in major academic programs,” Dr. Chin stated.
FUTURE Plans: The Pediatric Heart Institute is expected to relocate to the new Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital facilities in December 2010. The new hospital will house a 10-bed cardiac intensive care unit and a hybrid catheterization lab, allowing joint surgical/interventional catheterization procedures. Non-invasive imaging will be enhanced with new, state-of-the-art cardiac MRI equipment and facilities. The institute’s leaders also anticipate re-establishing a pediatric heart failure and transplant program in the near future.