INDIANAPOLIS – David O. Kovacich, M.D., has been selected as assistant medical director of cardiovascular practices for St Francis Medical Group.In that role, he will lead Indiana Heart Physicians (IHP), a group of 24 board certified cardiologists specializing in electrophysiology, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, cardiac computed tomography and interventional cardiology. They are supported by nearly 150 physician assistants, nurses, medical technology staff and support personnel.
He will also have leadership responsibilities for Vascular Surgery Specialists, a practice of three board certified vascular surgeons that specialize in invasive and non-invasive surgical options for vascular disease and also offer a full gamut of vascular diagnostic testing.
Board-certified in cardiovascular disease, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and internal medicine, Kovacich completed his fellowship, residency and medical school education at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He has been affiliated with IHP since 1994.
IHP, a St. Francis Medical Group practice, was established in 1978 under the direction of H.O. “Buzz” Hickman, M.D. In addition to its long-established relationship with St. Francis Hospitals and Health Centers, IHP also has affiliations with Morgan Hospital and Medical Center in Martinsville and Major Hospital in Shelbyville.
IHP integrated its services with St. Francis Medical Group and St Francis Hospital in August 2009.
Last year, nearly 70,000 patients were seen at IHP, including office visits, testing and procedures.
IHP physicians conduct most of their inpatient and procedural work at the St. Francis Heart Center, located on the Indianapolis hospital’s south campus at Emerson Avenue and Stop 11. The center is the home to the city’s first certified Chest Pain Evaluation Center, Midwest Heart Valve Center, vascular laboratory, and a national training site for catheterization lab procedures, carotid stent placement and endovascular repair.
IHP physicians also developed the landmark Emergency Heart Attack Response Team at the Heart Center, which significantly reduces response times for heart attack patients, improves their outcomes and reduces health care costs. The EHART protocol has received much acclaim in the medical world and has been adopted by hospitals throughout the world.
To learn more about the Indiana Heart Physicians, go to www.StFrancisDoctors.org.
