Baptist Heart Center Opening Caps 30 Years of Cardiac Firsts

“I’ll tell you what, those people are exceptional.” Metropolis resident and heart patient Jerry Leek said Western Baptist Hospital has his health at heart.

Jerry Leek was enjoying dinner out when suddenly it felt like “somebody big” was standing on his chest. His wife rushed him to Western Baptist Hospital where Leek said physicians and staff put their hearts into caring for his.

“From the time I walked in the door, they looked after me like I was their daddy,” said Leek, a semi-retired truck driver. “I’ll tell you what, those people are exceptional.” His open-heart surgery at Western Baptist Hospital saved his life, Leek said. That was more than six years ago, but today Leek is happy to share his success story and be a part of another one—the opening of the new Baptist Heart Center.

The Latest Cardiac Innovation
The $20 million, 79,000-square-foot addition to Western Baptist Hospital features four cardiac cath labs, echocardiology, nuclear cardiology, stress testing, cardiac rehabilitation and an auditorium for educational events. A new rooftop heliport allows distant patients to be transported quickly to the Chest Pain Center for lifesaving intervention.

Cardiologist LOWELL ROBERTS, M.D., checks a patient’s blood pressure. Dr. Roberts performed the first heart cath at Western Baptist more than 30 years ago.

The Baptist Heart Center is just the latest in the hospital’s history of cardiac innovation. Since performing the region’s first cardiac catheterization in 1977 and open-heart surgery in 1985, Western Baptist has introduced many other cardiac firsts to our area, including the first dual-chamber pacemaker, rotablator procedure and enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) therapy. Not surprisingly, more heart patients choose Western Baptist than any other hospital in the region.

Why People Choose Baptist
“High volume means better patient safety,” said Patrick Withrow, M.D., medical director of the Baptist Heart Center. “People can take comfort in knowing they can get comprehensive cardiac care close to home. We are highly experienced at virtually every type of cardiac procedure, including some that no other local hospitals do. And our staff takes care of our patients like they would care for their own family.”

Knowing that is something Leek and other heart patients can take to heart.

“If my wife or I have a problem, Western Baptist is where we go,” said Leek. “The people there really are like family.”