The Heart of Innovation

Kaweah Health's commitment to exceptional cardiac care has led to innovative partnerships and improved patient outcomes over the years. Since 2019, Kaweah Health has been an affiliate of Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute. This affiliation offers many benefits, including collaboration on patient care, outcomes, quality reporting, clinical research, and heart care advancements to elevate the level of care available in Tulare and Kings counties.

Access to World-Class Expertise

Through the affiliation, Kaweah Health gains access to cutting-edge knowledge and practices in cardiac medicine, ensuring patients in the Central Valley receive treatment aligned with the latest advancements in the rapidly progressing field of cardiology. The affiliation provides Kaweah Health's cardiologists with direct access to Cleveland Clinic's pioneering research and innovations, supporting their ongoing education and proficiency. The end result is high-quality cardiac care for the local community.

Kaweah Health’s Chief Strategy Officer Marc Mertz knows firsthand the value of working with leaders in the field.

“Our affiliation with Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute represents a significant step forward in cardiac care for the Central Valley. They are a world-renowned leader in cardiovascular medicine, and we're bringing the latest innovations and expertise directly to our community,” he says.

Mertz points to the use of the WATCHMAN device in patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib).

“Kaweah Health was the first hospital in the area to begin using this device as of 2023,” says Mertz.

Cleveland Clinic has been significantly involved in the research, development, and clinical use of the WATCHMAN device and other minimally invasive procedures.

What is Cleveland Clinic?

Cleveland Clinic was founded in 1921 by Drs. George Crile Sr., Frank Bunts, William Lower, and John Phillips, four WWI army surgeons who established a non-profit group practice integrating patient care, research, and education. Their patient-centered approach transformed the local hospital into a global medical leader. Since its founding, Cleveland Clinic has made significant contributions to cardiovascular care. These contributions have advanced both techniques and technologies that have improved patient care worldwide. Here are just a few examples of how they have contributed to the field of interventional cardiology:

• Developed and refined multiple interventional cardiology procedures
• Played a crucial role in the early development and refinement of coronary angioplasty techniques
• Contributed to improving balloon angioplasty procedures, making them safer and more effective.
• Pioneered the evolution of coronary stents, including the development and testing of drug-eluting stents
• Improved cardiac imaging and diagnostic tools such as intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Led the development of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) techniques

"Hospitals affiliated with Cleveland Clinic's Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute share an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement across all aspects of cardiovascular care delivery," says Suma Thomas, MD, Vice Chairman, Strategic Operations, Cleveland Clinic Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute. "Kaweah Health exhibits this commitment in its clinical, operational, and quality activities. As the only Cleveland Clinic affiliate in California, Kaweah’s physicians and caregivers have access to nationally recognized Cleveland Clinic heart experts, resulting in optimized outcomes for Kaweah’s patients and continuing high-quality cardiovascular care."