In the late 1980s, Dr. Tim Hart and fellow cardiologists began to see a need in the community for open heart surgery to be offered at Iowa Lutheran Hospital to better serve patients requiring cardio-thoracic care.
In March of 1990 this need became a reality, and the first open heart surgery was successfully performed by Dr. Richard Toon. That year more than 70 open heart surgeries were performed between Dr. Toon and his colleagues. The launch of the open heart program at Iowa Lutheran Hospital was a success!
Since its inception 20 years ago, surgical times have been cut in half, length of stay in the ICU has gone from nearly a week to just overnight, and advances in technology and techniques have brought better care to patients in our community. In the past 4 years, more than 500 open heart surgeries have been performed at Iowa Lutheran Hospital. None of this could have been accomplished without the dedicated doctors, nurses and staff in surgery, ICU and on the inpatient floor at Iowa Lutheran Hospital.
"Being able to provide open heart surgery at Iowa Lutheran Hospital has greatly benefited our patients in the East Des Moines community and enhanced patient care and satisfaction," says Dr. Ronald Grooter, cardio-thoracic surgeon.
Today, the open heart program is thriving and looking forward to a bright future. Cardio-thoracic surgeons Dr. Robert Schneider, Dr. Kent Thieman and Dr. Jose Torres are continuing the tradition of bringing the very best care to patients at Iowa Lutheran Hospital.