Why Choose CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute?
Access
At CHI St. Vincent Heart Institute, you have access to the state’s largest and most diverse network of heart specialists. And we are close to home with services in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Hot Springs, Searcy and Conway and more than 25 community locations.
It’s All About You
We are leading the way in heart care, shifting the focus from procedure to program, from individual doctor to a team of specialists and primary care, from disease to whole-person wellness. Our team includes CHI St. Vincent Heart Clinic Arkansas (the state's largest cardiology group) as well as heart surgeons in Little Rock and Hot Springs. From aggressive diagnostic routines to the latest surgical procedures to heart health education, we offer comprehensive care close to home.
Learn about our care for heart disease. Hear our patient stories.
Latest Treatments and Technology for Heart Disease
We use the latest treatments for all forms of heart disease -- from common problems to rare or life-threatening conditions. Whether you've been referred for diagnostic testing, cardiac treatment or disease management, your best interests are at the heart of every medical recommendation we make and care option we provide.
With access to 10 cath lab procedure rooms, 6 CV operating rooms, 40 dedicated cardiology critical care beds and over 60 telemetry beds the CHI St Vincent Heart Institute has the resources to care for a variety of patients. Our support team includes advanced practice providers, perfusionists, nurses, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, social workers, and dietitians. With this breadth of specialties we our patients get comprehensive care tailored their individual health concerns and wellbeing. Our group of more than 50 heart specialits bring the diversity necessary to treat each patient's specific condition.
ACE Accredited Cardiac Cath Labs
The cardiac cath labs at CHI St Vincent Infirmary and CHI St Vincent North are the first 2 ACE accredited cath labs in the state of Arkansas, with the cath lab at the Infirmary also holding chest pain accreditation. We see a multitude of procedures including
- Cardiac catheterization (cardiac cath or heart cath) is a procedure to examine how well your heart is working.
- Stenting - a procedure used to open clogged heart arteries
- CTO - minimally invasive technique used to treat patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO), or complete blockages, of the coronary arteries.
- EP studies and ablations - used to treat heart arrhythmia
We bring together the state’s largest group of cardiologists with cardiothoracic surgeons and critical care intensivists to provide comprehensive care to our patients.
Hot Springs Heart Center provides comprehensive services and the latest technology in one convenient location. CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines® Target: Stroke Honor Roll Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. The award recognizes the hospital’s commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.
CHI St. Vincent Infirmary has been ranked since 2012 by U.S. News & World Report as a top regional hospital by achieving high performing status for heart-related categories. We are one of two Arkansas hospitals, and fewer than 20 in the United States to receive Ace Accreditation for Cardiac Excellence for our cath labs. We do more than 3,000 catheterizations a year. Our Jack Stephens Heart Unit offers exceptional service and amenities.
CHI St. Vincent has received the American Heart Association’s Mission: Lifeline® Gold Receiving Quality Achievement Award for implementing specific quality improvement measures for the treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks. The CHI St. Vincent Infirmary in Little Rock earned the award for meeting specific criteria and standards of performance for quick, appropriate treatment through emergency procedures to re-establish blood flow to blocked arteries in heart attack patients coming into the hospital directly or by transfer from another facility.
CHI St. Vincent North hospital’s heart services include a STEMI program that provides life-saving treatment for patients experiencing a heart attack.
CHI St. Vincent Morrilton also has advanced emergency capabilities to diagnosis heart problems.
Our partners also include with Conway Regional Medical Center and Unity Health – White County Medical Center where our cardiologists take care of patients close to home.
Accreditations for Excellence in Heart Care
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Find a primary care provider or specialist near you in our extensive network of clinics and hospitals.
Awards
CHI St. Vincent and National Park Medical Center Partner to Present the Hot Springs Sweethearts Class of 2022–2023
For the first time, National Park Medical Center (NPMC) and CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs will join forces to present the 2022–2023 American Heart Association (AHA) Hot Springs Sweethearts program. This year’s program, which welcomes 41 young women from the Garland County-area, will mark its 17th year. The Hot Springs Sweethearts consist of high school sophomores and juniors who have committed to improve heart health in their community by learning about cardiovascular diseases, leading healthy lifestyles and participating in heart healthy activities.
“This is an exciting moment for the Hot Springs Sweethearts because this year’s class will have access to the widest range of heart health resources, medical professionals and life changing experiences thanks to the now combined efforts of CHI St. Vincent and National Park Medical Center,” said Hot Springs Sweethearts founder and chair, Kathryn Russell. “We are thankful for their support and look forward to what this means for this year’s Sweethearts.”
Between October and February, the Sweethearts will participate in a now expanded range of educational opportunities, heart-healthy activities and community involvement. Some activities include CPR certification, fundraising for the American Heart Association, Cath Lab tours, volunteer opportunities and other educational programs.
“The Sweethearts program has been incredibly successful and beneficial to the Hot Springs-area as we engage more and more people in the fight against heart disease. We had long discussed joining forces with CHI St. Vincent to make the program even stronger in the future and decided that this is the right moment,” said NPMC CEO Scott Smith. “This collaboration marks a great step forward for our community as we all work together for the common good.”
The Hot Springs Sweethearts was founded by Paul and Kathryn Russell who established the program in memory of their daughter, Caroline Grace, who was lost at age two following a suspected undetected heart condition. They pour their hearts and souls into the program each year and participation is also a significant commitment made by the young women of Garland County that impacts both their lives and the lives around them. Past participants have been inspired to find their own path to continue the fight against heart disease, whether through volunteerism and philanthropy or dedicating their future careers to healthcare by attending nursing school, radiology programs and even medical school.
“The disproportionately high rate of heart disease in Arkansas is a generational challenge and it begins with young people like our Hot Springs Sweethearts who make a commitment to not only learn about heart healthy lifestyles and activities, but to put them into practice for themselves, their families and their communities,” said CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs President Dr. Douglas Ross. “We’re honored to partner with our colleagues at National Park Medical Center to make this year’s program the best and most successful experience possible.”
The Hot Springs Sweetheart class of 2022–2023 inductees include:
- Isabella Aitken
- Allie Anderson
- Sarah Ashcraft
- Addison Bobo
- Caroline Bourgeois
- Reese Calley
- Devyn Elmore
- Lauren Erwin
- Karleigh Eubanks
- Darby Fisk
- Mia Francioni
- Adison Gibson
- Camilla Graham
- Brianna Graves
- Adalie Hall
- Lexi Hammons
- Reaghan Harris
- Maya Hubbard
- Ellyson Hutson
- Avery Ilenfeld
- Lani Inman
- Madelyn Kinder
- Lauren Latham
- Emily Mays
- Isabelle McDonough
- Sarah McGuire
- Parker Morgan
- Alyssa Nugent
- Sofia Oseguera
- Hannah Pitts
- Lilli Redifer
- Addison Reid
- Lola Ruckstuhl
- Annabel Sarver
- Olivia Stewart
- Alexia Stibich
- Reagan Stone
- Makayla Tedder
- Brenna Townley
- Caley Vinson
- Hope Webb
The 2022–2023 program will culminate with the introduction of the Sweethearts at the AHA Heart Ball on February 11, 2023 in Hot Springs. The Sweetheart who demonstrates the greatest dedication to the program and the most knowledge about cardiovascular disease will receive the title of “Sweetheart of the Ball” and will receive the $2,000 Caroline Grace Russell Memorial Scholarship. Other recognitions will include a Leadership Award with a $500 scholarship presented by Dr. Tim and Cindy English in honor of their daughter Lauren’s involvement with the AHA. The very special Catie Cooper Spirit Award, created in memory of 2010 “forever sweetheart” Catie Cooper who was tragically lost during her tenure as a sweetheart, will also be awarded the night of the Heart Ball.
For more information about the Sweetheart program, visit: facebook.com/HotSpringsSweethearts