When Clifford Boerner visited his cardiologist in August, he never imagined the appointment would lead to a life-changing — and history-making — experience. Days later, the 52-year-old small-business owner from Gorst underwent a coronary artery bypass graft, becoming Harrison Hospital’s first open-heart surgery patient.
   Harrison opened its doors to the new program, an expansion of its well-established cardiovascular services, on Aug. 11. By week’s end, five more Kitsap County residents had benefited from heart surgery close to home.
   “Heart care close to home is at the heart of the program,” says Harrison’s President & CEO David Gitch. “Our families, friends, and neighbors no longer have to travel at a time when they are medically fragile, uncomfortable and anxious, and bedside education is crucial.” The program will serve residents from Kitsap, Jefferson, Clallam and Mason counties.

Two of the new physicians practicing open-heartat Harrison. L-R: Dr. William William Caine from the University of Utah's heart program and Dr. Chris King from the University of Washington.

   Cardiac surgeon Dr. Chris King, who has performed more than 600 such operations, is especially pleased with the program’s start. “We’ve been teaching staff the fine details of outstanding cardiac care, and we were ready to put that into practice. Our careful planning has paid off. Everything has gone so smoothly.”
   Three years in the works, the open-heart program is a unique partnership with the highly respected UW Medicine Regional Heart Network. Dr. King and some of the specialized staff required for the open-heart procedures came from UW, where staff training has taken place the past year. Dr. William Caine, a second cardiac surgeon, came from the University of Utah heart program. Both surgeons and their families now make their homes in Kitsap County.
   Some 75 others round out the heart team that includes cardiac anesthesiologists, physician’s assistants, nurse practitioners, perfusionists, and specially trained surgical nurses and technicians. Within three years, Harrison estimates over 250 open-heart procedures will be performed annually. For the first year, Dr. King says, the most complex cases will continue to be performed at UW.
   The open-heart program also enables local cardiologists to perform cardiovascular interventions at Harrison. Non-emergency angioplasties and stent placements are not permitted by the state without the required surgical backup, which now is provided by Drs. King and Caine. (The surgeons are on call 24 hours a day.) Harrison anticipates cardiologists will perform 275 such interventions each year.
   Having cardiac surgery and other interventions available at Harrison will reduce the number of emergency vehicle and helicopter transports to facilities outside Kitsap County—previously over 150 per year—and others transported by private vehicle.
   Harrison’s $1.6 million investment to start the program primarily funded purchase of specialized equipment. Harrison Heart Care — the hospital’s 20-year-old cardiac services division — was the beneficiary of the 2002 Festival of Trees — over $225,000. This year’s Foundation-sponsored event will also support cardiac care. Hospital leaders anticipate revenues from the program will exceed expenses after the first three years. As a nonprofit hospital, Harrison returns its revenues to the community in the form of services, technology, facilities, and programs.
   Gitch calls the new program, “A milestone for all of us, a time in which our hospital reaches yet another level of excellence.” The professional prestige attached to an open-heart surgery program has boosted spirits overall at Harrison. “We’re proud of the extra edge,” Gitch says.
   The community, too, can be proud — and secure — that everything their hearts require is right here at home. The debut of open-heart surgery at Harrison complements the hospital’s first-rate cardiovascular services, which includes a chest pain clinic for early detection and treatment, and Kitsap County’s impressive combination of a strong EMS system and a committed cardiac rehab program, CAPRI.
   Three days after his bypass surgery, Harrison’s first patient clutches the heart-shaped pillow — autographed by hospital staff — that protects his chest. Asked how it feels to be Harrison’s first open-heart patient, Boerner smiles: “The same as if I were the 20th or 30th. I’ve had great care at Harrison. Everyone’s been terrific. And it’s sure been easier on my family not having to travel to Seattle.”