‘This is a big partnership’: MUSC Health expands cardiovascular care north of Charleston

High-growth areas north of Charleston are getting new MUSC Health options for cardiovascular care in Ladson, Summerville and Walterboro. “This is a big partnership,” said Elliot Blackman, chief operating officer of MUSC Physicians.

The partnership is between MUSC Health and Atlantic Cardiovascular Associates, formerly known as Trident Cardiology Associates. MUSC Health will now run Atlantic’s three existing cardiovascular clinics in Berkeley, Dorchester and Colleton counties. 

Thomas DiSalvo, M.D., chief of the MUSC Health Heart and Vascular Integrated Center of Clinical Excellence, expressed his enthusiasm for the new additions. “We are thrilled to welcome the expert and respected cardiovascular providers and staff of Atlantic Cardiology Associates into the MUSC Health family. This exciting new partnership affirms our mutual desire to serve patients closer to their homes,” he said. 

“The envisioned expansion of Atlantic Cardiology Associates in the years to come underscores MUSC Heart and Vascular’s deep commitment to providing the highest quality cardiovascular care to all patients in the rapidly growing Tri-county region.”  

 

Blackman described the latest additions to the team providing that care. “We are partnering with nine physicians and six advanced practice providers. Thirty-three care team members will join the MUSC team to support the clinics. When we talk about quantum growth and growth of our practices, this is a big deal for us to continue to expand our scope and services throughout the Tri-county area,” he said.

In the case of the partnership with Atlantic, that expansion keeps people from having to drive 40 minutes or more to get to appointments downtown. “Part of our strategy is to continue to take our expertise off the peninsula and provide it closer to people's homes.”

Providing that expertise is important, Blackman said. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of adults in the United States. Being connected with MUSC Health, which already has an extensive cardiovascular team, and the Medical University of South Carolina’s College of Medicine, boosts the clinics’ links to a deep base of knowledge and access to cutting-edge information and techniques. 

“So not only do we partner with Atlantic Cardiovascular Associates, which has a great reputation already, but the patients who are being seen will benefit from all of MUSC Health resources and the comprehensive capabilities that we bring.”

Those capabilities will enhance the care that the Ladson, Summerville and Walterboro clinics in Berkeley, Dorchester and Colleton counties already offer. Services currently include imaging, stress tests, echocardiograms, pacemaker implants, risk assessments for vascular disease, on-site diagnosis of chest pain and support for people who have had heart attacks. 

Blackman is proud of the smooth transition the three sites have pulled off. “We've pushed this ‘go live’ at an aggressive pace, and it took an entire team effort from MUSC Health to get it off the ground.”