Danbury Hospital To Offer Angioplasty Services

And Traveling Heart Art Exhibit

DANBURY — Frank J. Kelly, Danbury Hospital and Danbury Health Systems president and chief executive officer, and Dr Andrew Keller, the hospital’s chief of cardiology, announced the hospital will soon begin providing angioplasty services at The Praxair Regional Heart and Vascular Center.

During a briefing at the hospital on Tuesday, Mr Kelly also announced the first-ever “heart parade” titled “Heartbeat of Our Community.” This unique exhibit will feature more than 50 whimsical hearts decorated by local artists. The three-dimensional hearts, designed by CowParade, creator of the popular international shows of the same name, are expected to draw local and regional attention.

 The Praxair Regional Heart and Vascular Center at Danbury Hospital performed its first open heart surgery on January 24, and since has performed more than 120 procedures, including heart bypass, and valve replacement and repair. With angioplasty services, the full spectrum of cardiac, thoracic and vascular care is available.

 “Heart disease is the leading killer of men and women,” Mr Kelly said. “Because early detection and care is critical to healthy outcomes, Danbury Hospital has fought for many years to bring these life-saving medical services to the region. Success is due, in great part, to the support of our communities. More than 30,000 people provided original signatures and letters of support during our campaign. Hundreds of others told their personal stories at a public hearing and at many community forums.

“The Heartbeat of our Community strikes us as something people of all ages will enjoy,” he said. “Of course, we’re also excited about the connection of the exhibit to our new cardiovascular center and to heart health education.”

 Mr Kelly also thanked Ridgefield’s Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum for assisting with the overall organization of the event.

 Danbury Hospital Chief of Cardiology, Dr Andrew Keller, noted that Danbury Hospital has earned a reputation for delivering the highest quality care. “For example, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid recently noted the hospital’s outstanding performance rates in various areas of myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure,” he said.

Dr Susan Mani, medical director of the Women’s HeartAdvantage Program, outlined her plans for outreach programs to educate women about their heart health. The director of Interventional Cardiology and the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, Dr Hal Wasserman, said that the hospital is fully prepared to offer angioplasty services and he also described the extensive experience of the angioplasty team.

 Danbury Hospital commissioned CowParade to create the unique 2½ -foot-by-3-foot fiberglass hearts to be designed by approximately 50 local artists. The hearts will be unveiled at The Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum around Valentine’s Day. They will then travel to the hospital and to local towns in the region including Bethel, Brookfield, Danbury, New Fairfield, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, and Southbury. In May, the hearts will be auctioned and the funds raised will go to the Danbury Hospital Development Fund for the benefit of the Praxair Regional Heart and Vascular Center.

 Local artists interested in designing a heart for the “Heartbeat of our Community” exhibit, should contact Jennifer Ferraiuolo at jennifer.ferraiuolo@danhosp.org or 203-739-7806; or Amy Grabowski at agrabowski@aldrichart.org or 203-438-4519.