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Press Releases
These are the press releases we've issued over the last year. You may want to search for topics by keyword.

Accredited Nuclear Cardiology Laboratory
Posted: January 27, 2005
One American dies every 32 seconds of cardiovascular disease, disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, costing society over 83.7 billion dollars each year in health services, medications and lost work time due to disability. Each year, approximately five and a half million stress nuclear cardiology studies are performed in the United States. Both the pump function and the blood flow of the heart are assessed during nuclear cardiology testing procedures. As a result, physicians are able to detect the presence of cardiovascular disease and may also discover important information regarding the occurrence of future heart attacks. The heart is evaluated at rest and during exercise using a small amount of radioisotope during the noninvasive procedure. A complex imaging technique, nuclear cardiology testing relies on the experience and training of both the physician and the technologist. Their interpretive and technical abilities determine the diagnostic accuracy of the examination. The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL) has developed an accreditation program that evaluates the quality of these and other critical elements of a nuclear cardiology laboratory. Illinois Heart & Lung Associates, S.C., located in Normal, Illinois was granted accreditation by the ICANL. The laboratory is one of the first nuclear cardiology laboratories in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to be so recognized for its commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing. The ICANL was established with the support of the American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, the Society of Nuclear Medicine, the Society of Nuclear Medicine Technologist Section, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Nuclear Physicians and the Academy of Molecular Imaging (formerly known as the Institute for Clinical PET). The ICANL provides a peer review mechanism to encourage and recognize the provision of quality nuclear cardiology and nuclear medicine diagnostic evaluations by a process of voluntary accreditation. A non-profit organization, the ICANL is dedicated to ensuring high quality patient care and to promoting health care. Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary. Accreditation status signifies that the facility has been reviewed by an independent agency that recognizes the laboratory’s commitment to quality testing for the diagnosis of heart disease.

Illinois Heart & Lung Joins BroMenn System
Posted: June 14, 2005
Illinois Heart and Lung Associates, S.C. (IHLA), a physician group practice specializing in cardiology, pulmonology, critical care and sleep medicine, is joining the BroMenn Healthcare System. “We are thrilled to be welcoming the outstanding physicians and staff of IHLA into the BroMenn fold,” said BroMenn President & CEO Roger Hunt. “Having them as part of the BroMenn family will be a great benefit not only to us, but to the growing number of people in our region who need the expert care they provide.” Hunt added that as the demand for cardiovascular care in central Illinois continues to rise, BroMenn has collaborated closely over the years with IHLA and the community’s cardiovascular surgeons to expand and improve the hospital’s cardiac services, ultimately leading to the creation of the BroMenn Heart Center. “This new relationship is part of a natural progression to provide the most effective continuum of care for our patients, from diagnosis to treatment and beyond,” he said. The addition of IHLA also supports BroMenn’s regional development focus through IHLA’s existing clinics in Eureka, Gibson City, Fairbury, LeRoy and Pontiac. “We, too, are pleased to be joining with BroMenn to strengthen our service to this region,” said Dr. Robert Braastad, a cardiologist with the practice and chairman of the IHLA Board of Directors. “It’s a relationship that will open up new doors for us, through the resources that BroMenn can provide for innovative enhancements to care, as well as for the recruitment of new physicians to serve the people of this region.” Under the new agreement, IHLA’s 60 health professionals and 13 physicians (currently seven cardiologists and four pulmonologists, with two more cardiologists joining the practice this summer) will all become part of BroMenn Physician Management Corporation (BPMC). IHLA will continue to operate as a specialty practice group. “It’s important to note that IHLA will maintain its strong name, character and leadership and will continue to care for patients in all the communities we currently serve,” said Dr. Braastad. “As a division of BPMC, we will be led by a Physician Executive Committee, and members of IHLA will serve on the BPMC Board of Directors.” IHLA’s corporate office will remain in the BroMenn Medical Office Building, 1302 Franklin Avenue in Normal. In addition to their various clinics and BroMenn Regional Medical Center, the IHLA physicians are on the medical staffs of OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, OSF St. James Hospital, Dr. John Warner Hospital, Gibson Area Hospital, Carle Clinic and Eureka Community Hospital. IHLA is also known for its Foundation, which supports continuing medical education and research and provides community education and service through events such as the annual Women’s Health Night. “The Foundation exists as an independent entity and will continue to support IHLA through its educational and research efforts,” said Dr. Braastad. Both organizations are excited about the possibilities their new relationship brings. “We’re joining BroMenn out of our mutual interest to provide the highest level of care for the cardiovascular health of this area and have come to the conclusion that we can do a better job meeting those needs jointly, rather than separately,” said Dr. Braastad. “BroMenn has long shown their commitment to expanding and enhancing their cardiac services. For future growth and opportunities, this is the best use of resources and management, with the people of this region being the ultimate winners.” “IHLA is a long-established practice that is the premier cardiovascular physician group in this region, and their reputation for innovative, exceptional care is well-known,” said Hunt. “They also excel in the areas of critical care medicine, sleep medicine and research. We look forward to the many exciting things that they – along with our excellent primary care physicians and hospital staff – will be able to do together to benefit the people in our communities.”


Recent Media Coverage of IHLA

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