About Us

In an effort to meet the demands of a changing health care environment and to enhance the level of cardiovascular care provided to the community, Rhode Island Hospital and The Miriam Hospital have launched the Cardiovascular Institute (CVI). This innovative program brings together the well-known cardiac programs of both institutions and places a stronger emphasis on extending these programs into the community, where it is more convenient for patients to receive care. The new program includes the addition of a new cardiovascular surgeon, four new cardiologists specializing in electrophysiology and heart rhythm disturbances, and the creation of three new ambulatory care centers in East Providence, East Greenwich and Providence.

“The model of health care is changing, and health care organizations must adapt to meet the needs of our patients and the community,” says Timothy J. Babineau, MD, president and chief executive officer of Lifespan and Rhode Island Hospital. “By partnering with our peers in the community, we are able to deliver a stronger, more effective approach to cardiac care while maintaining our high standards and making that care more convenient and accessible to our patients.”

The CVI is a collaboration of cardiovascular services at the two campuses, along with cardiology programs in the community. The new institute provides cardiac experts on both campuses with the necessary resources to deliver streamlined, high-quality, patient-centered care with the latest tools and technologies available for diagnosis and treatment.

“Cardiac services is one of the fastest growing areas in health care, and we expect this trend to continue,” says Frank Sellke, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Rhode Island and The Miriam hospitals. “Both Rhode Island and The Miriam hospitals provide outstanding cardiac care. Through the Cardiovascular Institute we are combining the expertise of both hospitals to enhance our existing programs and bring both diagnostics and non-surgical treatment closer to home for many of our patients.”

According to Peter Tilkemeier, MD, interim director of cardiology at Rhode Island and The Miriam hospitals, the strength of the CVI rests in its goal of providing the best possible patient experience. “The experience starts the moment you need our services—the person on the other end of the phone when you make an appointment, the employee who greets you when you arrive for your appointment, the doctors, nurses and many others you will come in contact with. The CVI will further enhance this experience, ensuring that all of our cardiac patients receive high-quality care in a timely, efficient, convenient and comfortable fashion.”

In addition to the ambulatory care centers in East Greenwich, East Providence and Providence, which will be opening over the next year, the CVI also offers comprehensive cardiac services in North Providence and Attleboro, including cardiac diagnostic testing and intervention, and programs for management of hypertension, lipid management and disease prevention.