Cleveland Clinic Partners with Martin Health System for First Cardiovascular Affiliation in Florida

CLEVELAND, Ohio, and STUART, Fla. – Cleveland Clinic and Martin Health System announced an affiliation agreement to share best practices in cardiology and heart surgery, optimize superior patient-centered care, and develop programs to improve quality, safety and outcomes.

The cardiac programs at Cleveland Clinic’s Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute and the Frances Langford Heart Center at Martin Health will form this affiliation. Through these relationships, Cleveland Clinic provides management services, including clinical direction, quality assurance, and access to the latest in cutting-edge technologies and techniques.

For more than a decade, the Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute has formed affiliations with cardiothoracic surgery and cardiovascular medicine programs in Ohio and across the country, providing access to world-class care and the unparalleled expertise of Cleveland Clinic’s heart program. The affiliate network now extends to more than 20 hospitals and health systems across the U.S.

“Cleveland Clinic is the preeminent cardiovascular hospital in the world and we are excited to bring their quality and experience to the Treasure Coast,” said Robert L. Lord Jr., President and CEO of Martin Health System. “Being affiliated with Cleveland Clinic will be profoundly beneficial for our patients, our community and Martin Health as a whole.”

The Ohio-based Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute is one of the world’s largest, most experienced cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgery groups. Cleveland Clinic was named the best hospital in the country for cardiology and heart surgery for the 23rd consecutive year in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Hospitals 17-18.” Since 1995, no other hospital in the country has ranked higher than Cleveland Clinic in cardiac care.

“Cleveland Clinic is proud to have the opportunity to affiliate with the cardiac program at Martin Health System,” said Jeffrey Rich M.D., chairman of Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute Strategic Operations. “We look forward to the collaboration between teams to continue the excellent outcomes for the patients of Martin Health System.”

Martin Health System, a regional not-for-profit provider with three acute-care hospitals and a comprehensive network of outpatient services, has provided care to residents of Florida’s Treasure Coast for nearly 80 years. The Frances Langford Heart Center at Martin Health has been providing nationally recognized cardiovascular care since it opened in 2006. The heart center expanded its capabilities in 2016 with an interventional suite at Tradition Medical Center, providing additional heart and vascular services for residents of west Port St. Lucie.

As a result of their work together developing this affiliation, Cleveland Clinic and Martin Health have agreed to explore other opportunities to work together more closely.

“There is a growing industry trend toward affiliations such as this, which can offer expanded services, improved clinical outcomes, increased efficiencies and other benefits for both organizations,” said John Loewenberg, chairman of the Board of Directors for Martin Health System. “Martin Health and Cleveland Clinic have a shared vision and culture of providing exceptional patient care. We felt this was an opportune time for future discussion.”