Cardiology Clinic Opens At Ludington Hospital

Cardiology patients in and around Ludington now have the option of seeing a Spectrum Health/West Michigan Heart cardiologist close to home for many aspects of their care, with a new weekly cardiology clinic at Spectrum Health Ludington Hospital. The cardiology service is another important benefit of the local hospital joining the Spectrum Health system.In August, the Spectrum Health Heart and Vascular Center opened a new weekly cardiology clinic at the hospital. Response was immediate and positive, with many current patients opting to take advantage of the more convenient location.

“Bringing leading specialists to Ludington to see patients is one of the major reasons we chose to align our hospital with Spectrum Health,” said Mark Vipperman, president. “Those promises of enhanced services are being fulfilled and this is a significant benefit to the people we serve.”

The Ludington heart and vascular center is staffed by four Spectrum Health Medical Group cardiology specialists based in Grand Rapids (formerly the practice was known as West Michigan Heart), who will rotate to hold office hours every Friday. They provide comprehensive heart and vascular disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment services, including:

Heart and vascular imaging and testing
Heart failure care
Arterial disease management
Cardiac monitoring
Diagnostic heart care
Follow-up care after interventional heart procedures

Interventional surgical procedures needed by Ludington area patients will be carried out at Spectrum Health system’s medical center in Grand Rapids. In addition to the expertise of the physicians coming to Ludington for appointments, patients will continue to benefit from access to expert subspecialists at the Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids.

“Cardiovascular disease is the #1 disease category, and typically these issues become more complex with age,” said Thomas Boyden, Jr., MD, medical director for preventive cardiology for the medical group. “Travel can be a significant burden. So we’re pleased to make Ludington the latest addition to our office locations throughout West Michigan.

“Having a routine presence in Ludington will be a real benefit to our patients, and allow us to deliver all of our services, including referral as needed to Grand Rapids for advanced procedures. We think having experienced cardiologists come to Ludington will be good for the community as well as our patients.”

Other cardiologists participating in the Ludington office hours are Dennis Besley, MD, J. Stewart Collins, MD, and Dave Langholz, MD.

The Ludington Hospital Heart and Vascular Center is located in the medical office building attached to the south side of the hospital. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Friday. The clinic site is adjacent to the hospital’s rehabilitation services department, whose well-established cardiac rehabilitation program will be available to the specialists and their patients.

Appointments are scheduled at the request of the patient’s primary care physician. Information is available by calling Spectrum Health Heart and Vascular Services at 616.885.5000, or the Ludington hospital community education line, 231.845.2222.