#Pediatric Heart Care #Cincinnati Children's #MultiCare

Strengthening Pediatric Heart Care in the Pacific Northwest

In an important development for pediatric heart care, Cincinnati Children's and MultiCare Mary Bridge Children's have announced a new collaboration aimed at expanding access to pediatric cardiology services and enhancing care for children with complex heart conditions in the Pacific Northwest. This partnership will allow families to receive world-class heart care without the burden of extensive travel.

Mary Bridge Children's Heart Center, located in Tacoma, Washington, is set to benefit from the expertise of Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute, recognized nationally for its excellence in treating pediatric heart issues. The collaboration intends to bring shared best practices to Mary Bridge, allowing the local healthcare team to leverage Cincinnati Children's extensive experience to improve patient outcomes and access.

Jeff Poltawsky, president of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Health Network, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "This is another tangible way to fulfill our mission of partnering for healing and a healthy future for all kids." The collaboration promises to enhance the care options for children and families across the region, ensuring they have access to state-of-the-art treatment.

The primary focus of the collaboration will be optimizing medical education, training, and quality improvement programs conducted by Cincinnati Children's. This will ensure that the healthcare providers at Mary Bridge can seamlessly offer high-quality care tailored to the specific needs of pediatric heart patients. Moreover, the partnership emphasizes a collaborative approach in medical decision-making, benefitting the local community immensely.

Dr. Michael Gaies, the executive co-director of the Cincinnati Children's Heart Institute, remarked on the significance of keeping patients at their home hospitals.