As of Feb. 1, Providence Health has consolidated all of its seventeen cardiologists in seven practices around the Midlands under one name: Providence Heart.

Cardiologists of the Providence Medical Group had been working under two separate groups: Providence Heart and Providence Cardiology (which was formerly known as South Carolina Heart Center). However, the providers in these groups have been working closely with one another for several years to provide premium care to the Midlands, ensuring that patients received the right care for their needs.

Consolidating the two cardiology brands under one name unites their operational systems and streamlines their communications so that patients can experience seamless provision of care as they benefit from the broad range of specialties available through the two groups.

“This is a great move for both our team of cardiologists and our patients,” says cardiologist Michael C. Foster, who has served as chief of the Department of Cardiology and director of the Cardiac Rehab program at Providence Health, as well as president of the South Carolina Heart Center. “These two cardiology groups have a tremendous amount of talent, experience, and leadership in the field of cardiology. By practicing under one name, one entity, we are creating an impressively comprehensive menu of cutting-edge cardiology techniques offered by a roster of nationally-celebrated physicians, conveniently located right here, throughout the Midlands of South Carolina.”

“Providence Health has long been the leader of heart care in the Midlands, starting with its introduction of heart surgery over 40 years ago,” says Cardiologist Bill Phillips, president of the Providence Heart & Vascular Institute, who has been with Providence Heart since its inception in 2016. “The Providence Heart & Vascular Institute aims to provide the Midlands with the best in heart care, from prevention, to diagnosis, to treatment, to recovery, to maintenance, and this consolidation supports that vision of providing the pinnacle of cardiac care.”

Providence Health’s focus on heart care led to the introduction of nearly twenty new procedures and technologies to the Midlands, as well as award-winning accredited Cardiac Rehabilitation programs at two locations, two sleep centers, the only hospital-based Vein Center in Columbia, and the only hospital-based cardiovascular technology program in South Carolina. Recently, Providence Health’s Structural Heart Program, which is comprised of cardiologists from both cardiologist groups, has been a game changer to the way heart conditions are treated, providing minimally-invasive alternatives to heart surgery.

Providence Heart has seven offices conveniently located throughout the Midlands, including one location on each Providence Health hospital campus. Patients will continue to receive care in the same familiar location as always, with the exception of the West Columbia office, which will be combining with the nearby Lexington office. All patients will continue to be seen by their same primary cardiologist.