Kootenai Health has announced plans today to acquire Heart Clinics Northwest. This new relationship will expand cardiac care in the region and enable residents to receive comprehensive cardiac care closer to home.

"This relationship blends Kootenai Health's strengths of quality, a positive culture and great value with the clinical excellence and breadth of services provided by Heart Clinics Northwest," said Jon Ness, CEO of Kootenai Health.

Under the new agreement, Kootenai Health will employ the physicians and staff of Heart Clinics Northwest. They will continue to provide services from their existing offices and satellite locations. Ensuring continuity of patient care will be a top priority both during and after the acquisition.

"Our physicians and staff are pleased to be joining Kootenai Health," said Dean Hill, M.D., president of Heart Clinics Northwest. "Kootenai's dedication to excellent patient care mirrors our own commitment to providing our patients with personalized, comprehensive cardiovascular care."

The acquisition sets the stage for further growth of cardiac services at Kootenai Health. Plans for expanding cardiac facilities, including the addition of electrophysiology services, are already underway.

"Key to this relationship is ensuring that patients can receive the care they need close to home," said Ness. "Patients in Spokane and eastern Washington will continue to see their physicians in Spokane. We will also be expanding services in northern Idaho to meet the region's growing need for cardiovascular services."

Kootenai Health regularly assesses the region's need for physicians using independent third-party research. Cardiac services have been identified as a primary area of need based on the region's aging population.

Leadership teams of the two organizations expect the agreement to be effective in early 2012.

"Heart Clinics Northwest physicians have been leaders in the development of cardiovascular services throughout the Inland Northwest," said Ness. "They are known for helping forge advancements in quality heart care. We plan to continue that momentum by growing and advancing cardiac services in the region with a commitment to delivering excellent care close to home."

About Heart Clinics Northwest

Heart Clinics Northwest has offices in Coeur d'Alene, Spokane and Sandpoint as well as satellite clinics throughout northern Idaho, eastern Washington and western Montana. Heart Clinics Northwest's board certified cardiologists provide high level comprehensive cardiovascular care, including diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Heart Clinics Northwest employs 150 people, including 24 physicians. For more information, visit www.heartclinicsnw.com.

About Kootenai Health

Kootenai Health is a community-owned medical center based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Kootenai delivers comprehensive healthcare services including cardiac, cancer, medical, surgical, rehabilitation, and behavioral medicine for northern Idaho, eastern Washington and western Montana. Its specialty centers include Kootenai Heart Center, Kootenai Cancer Centers (Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Sandpoint) Kootenai Rehabilitation Services, and Kootenai Behavioral Health. Kootenai Health employs 1,800 people and has 317 physicians on staff. It is recognized for outstanding nursing quality through its designation as a "Magnet" hospital since 2006, its standing as one of the 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare for the past three years, and as a Top 100 Hospital for Community Value. For more information, visit www.kootenaihealth.org.