St. Francis Hospital’s Cardiac Services program has announced an affiliation with The Emory Clinic’s Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Hakob Davtyan, MD, Assistant Professor in the Emory University School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery and an Emory Clinic physician, joined the St. Francis Hospital medical staff and began seeing patients September 1, 2016.

Dr. Davtyan joins St. Francis’ cardiothoracic surgery program’s Dr. Charles Anderson, MD, a specialist in cardiothoracic surgery, and will lead the team as its medical director, overseeing cardiothoracic surgery operations, quality management, as well as performing cardiothoracic surgeries himself.  The St. Francis - Emory Clinic affiliation will also expand the current St. Francis heart program’s capacity by adding two Emory-employed advanced practice providers who are highly qualified and certified health care professionals.

“Since 1974, St. Francis Heart Hospital has been dedicated to providing comprehensive cardiac care, offering rare and advanced cardiovascular care services,” says David Koontz, CEO. “Our affiliation with Emory’s internationally recognized cardiothoracic program will not only significantly expand our cardiovascular capabilities by bringing Emory’s School of Medicine’s expertise to St. Francis, but it will benefit patients throughout the Columbus region and beyond. 

The St. Francis Cardiothoracic Surgery service will be overseen by Dr. Robert Guyton, Chief of Emory’s Cardiothoracic Surgery Division and Director of Cardiothoracic Research at Emory.  In addition, the affiliation will enable the St. Francis Cardiothoracic Surgery service to align with Emory’s four existing Cardiothoracic Surgery programs:  Emory University Hospital, Emory University Hospital Midtown, Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, and the Emory Cardiothoracic Surgery program at Athens Regional Hospital, in Athens, GA.

Members of Emory’s critical care and operating room staff have been deployed to Columbus for a number of months to participate in intensive training of St. Francis staff to ensure alignment with quality and outcome metrics as the program grows.

“We look forward to building this exciting partnership with the exceptionally qualified St. Francis Cardiac Services team,” says Dr. Guyton. “This partnership will enable our combined physician and advanced practice provider teams to expand access to life-saving cardiothoracic care to more Georgia citizens.”