Baptist Health South Florida announced today it has a new name for its heart and vascular services – Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute. Baptist Cardiac & Vascular Institute (located at Baptist Hospital), South Miami Heart Center (located at South Miami Hospital), as well as cardiovascular services at its other hospitals and outpatient centers will be re-branded with the new name.

The name change reflects the power of Baptist Health’s combined resources of experienced physicians and leading-edge treatments and technology to bring the most advanced heart and vascular care to South Florida. “A global destination like Miami deserves unparalleled cardiovascular services and breakthrough research, which Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute offers to patients in our community and those who travel here for care,” said Brian E. Keeley, president and chief executive officer of Baptist Health.

“Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute is on a journey that will transform it into a national leader in cardiac and vascular care. As Baptist Health continues to grow, it is essential to integrate our services to ensure seamless care for our patients across the system,” said Barry T. Katzen, M.D., founder and executive medical director of the Institute.

For more than 50 years, each of the hospitals affiliated with Baptist Health has provided excellent heart and vascular care to the community. This long history has benefited hundreds of thousands of patients with leading-edge prevention, innovative treatments and pioneering research.

“Our doctors, nurses and technologists work as a team combining their experience to provide the highest level of care and compassion for our patients and their families,” said Harry Aldrich, M.D., chief of cardiology of the former South Miami Heart Center.

“Baptist Health has a national reputation for high-quality patient care. This is an opportunity to leverage the expertise and outcomes within Baptist Health and remain the quality leader for cardiovascular services in our region,” said Jonathan Fialkow, M.D., medical director of clinical cardiology at the Institute and executive medical director of Baptist Health Quality Network.

Part of Baptist Health’s commitment to the community is a $100 million expansion project that is underway on the Baptist Hospital campus and will transform the Institute, including the development of unique programs for aneurysms and structural heart disease. The systemwide integration affords us with exciting opportunities and expands upon the Institute’s longstanding commitment to multidisciplinary cooperation that has served as a national model of success,” said Bo Boulenger, executive champion for the Institute and chief executive officer of Baptist Hospital.

As Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute’s newly appointed chief operating officer, Carol Mascioli will oversee all cardiac and vascular services at Baptist Health hospitals and outpatient facilities.

“This is a natural step forward as we continuously strive to improve care and the overall patient experience,” said Mascioli, who brings extensive experience to her new role. Previously, Mascioli served as vice president at Baptist Hospital.

Baptist Health is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital) and more than 30 outpatient and urgent care facilities spanning three counties. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has more than 15,000 employees and 2,200 affiliated physicians, and also includes Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Outpatient Services and internationally renowned centers of excellence. Baptist Health Foundation, the organization’s fundraising arm, supports services at all hospitals and facilities. Baptist Health was just listed by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America (#19 in the nation and #1 in Florida) and has remained on the list for 14 years. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the fourth year in a row by the Ethisphere Institute. Visit BaptistHealth.net.