Facility Also Awarded the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence
ThedaCare continues to demonstrate its commitment to providing exemplary care and expertise to patients with cardiovascular needs. That dedication has resulted ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton earning reaccreditation as a Chest Pain Center with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) and Resuscitation.
The medical center’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab earned a similar reaccreditation. ThedaCare’s cath lab services include diagnostic cardiac catherization, interventional procedures and advanced treatment options for patients experiencing heart disease and acute cardiac events.
The reaccreditations from the American College of Cardiology (ACC) are based on rigorous onsite reviews of the medical center’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a cardiac emergency.
The facility also was awarded the HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence. The HeartCARE Center award was earned after ThedaCare consistently met accreditation criteria and ongoing performance registry reporting.
“We are very proud to have our program recognized in this way,” said Shalon Edson, Vice President of Theda Care Cardiovascular Care. “This reaccreditation reflects the dedication of our entire cardiovascular team – from physicians and advanced practice providers to nurses, technologists and support staff – who work tirelessly to provide the highest standard of care for our patients. We are proud to continue offering nationally recognized cardiac services right here in our communities.”
Facilities that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center with Primary PCI and Resuscitation Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms and are available to provide lifesaving intervention 24/7, every day of the year.
Facilities earning the HeartCARE Center distinction have demonstrated their commitment to consistent, high-quality cardiovascular care through comprehensive process improvement, disease and procedure-specific accreditation, professional excellence and community engagement.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. The most common symptom of a heart attack for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort. Women are more likely to have atypical symptoms including, but not limited to, tingling or discomfort in one or both arms, back, shoulder, neck or jaw; shortness of breath; cold sweat; unusual tiredness; heartburn-like feeling; nausea or vomiting; sudden dizziness; and fainting.
“Reaccreditation for ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton and the catheterization lab, and the honor of being recognized as a HeartCARE Center, has been a total team effort. All of our clinics and hospitals contribute to our ability to earn and maintain these achievements,” said Callie Leahy, BSN, RN, Chest Pain Coordinator and Quality Specialist with ThedaCare. “These honors set us among the best in the country for cardiac care. They help confirm for our patients and their families the level of cardiac care they can expect to receive at ThedaCare in the event of a cardiac emergency. That peace of mind can be invaluable for our patients.”
ThedaCare Regional Medical Center-Appleton initially earned accreditation as a Chest Pain Center in 2015 and as an accredited Cardiac Cath Lab in 2018.
Edson and Leahy said it’s important for people to be cognizant of their heart health. They encouraged people to consult with a health care provider and start a heart health conversation to better ensure their long-term cardiovascular health.
For more information, visit ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care.
About ThedaCare
For more than 115 years, ThedaCare® has been improving the health and well-being of the communities it serves in Northeast and Central Wisconsin. The organization delivers care to more than 650,000 residents in 17 counties, and employs approximately 7,000 providers and team members at 180 points of care, including nine hospitals. As an organization committed to being a leader in Population Health, team members are dedicated to empowering people to live their unique, best lives. ThedaCare is a not-for-profit health system with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs, as well as primary care. ThedaCare also partners with communities to understand needs, find solutions together, and encourage health awareness and action. In 2024, ThedaCare and Froedtert Health combined to form one system to strengthen local health care and provide high-quality services for treatment and prevention in a coordinated manner.