Memorial Supports ‘Go Red for Women’ Campaign

Memorial Hospital of South Bend is developing plans for hospital and health system activities throughout the year to support the American Heart Association’s “Go Red for Women” campaign to increase awareness of heart disease in women.

Activities will also reflect Memorial’s commitment to community health education on such topics as heart disease. Education on heart health is a major component of care for patients in the Memorial Leighton Heart & Vascular Center, which officially opened on Feb. 28.

Core funding for the 117,000 square foot center was provided through a gift from the Judd Leighton Foundation. The center includes a new 92,000 squarefoot facility located adjacent to and above the concourse leading from Bartlett Parking Ramp to the hospital.

Memorial worked with leading international experts in design and safety, including IDEO and DuPont, to create an environment that combines the latest technology with facility design features that welcome patients and their family members.

The third floor features the Cardiovascular Comprehensive Care Unit, with 28 private rooms around a “universal” gathering space with an activity/therapy area, kitchen, library, big-screen TV, computers and educational space. A quiet area tucked behind a water wall offers a more private area for reading or reflecting. Patients in the unit are able to receive care for other chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes or respiratory disease, without having to be moved to other units for specialized care.

The second floor of the new facility, which accommodates vascular and radiology services, including diagnostic and interventional. radiology, opened March 7.

The entire environment is designed to be flexible, improving efficiency and efficacy in addressing the constantly changing status and respective needs of each patient progressing through their individual path of care.

Copyright South Bend Tribune Corporation Mar 14, 2005