THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano Celebrates First 200 Lives

(PLANO, TX, Sept. 17, 2007) - "I love making a difference in health care," says Mark Valentine, president, THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano.

Valentine and his clinical staff recently celebrated the impact they have had in the lives of the first 200 open heart surgery patients at The Heart Hospital. At a special celebration, the hospital re-united its first 200 patients with the physicians, nurses and other clinical staff that cared for them during their hospitalization. One attendee chose "Celebration 200" as his first public appearance following his recent open heart surgery. Patients came from Collin, Dallas, Tarrant and Rockwall counties.

Enjoying heart healthy food prepared by hospital chef Kelly Cook, the former patients mingled with other patients and staff in The Heart Hospital's lobby.

THE HEART HOSPITAL Baylor Plano, which opened Jan. 27, 2007, is Collin County's first dedicated heart and vascular facility; it's one of three Baylor Health Care System facilities in Collin County.

Since its opening The Heart Hospital offered free screenings and community talks in a variety of Plano locations, including local churches and at the hospital. In late August, clinicians offered a non-invasive screening of the carotid arteries to determine "cardiovascular" age of an individual.

The 68-bed medical center, which shares a campus with Baylor Regional Medical Center at Plano, is licensed as a specialty care hospital providing inpatient and outpatient cardiovascular care. The facility provides cardiovascular outpatient, interventional and surgical services including: non-invasive cardiovascular testing, cardiac catheterization, open heart surgery, peripheral angiography, cardiac and vascular interventions, electrophysiology testing, arrhythmia management and treatment, vascular surgery, cardiac rehabilitation, and 24-hour emergency care.