CORAZON ANNOUNCES FALL CONFERENCE AGENDA

August 5, 2003 - Pittsburgh, PA—On the heels of the release of their new industry book, Getting to the Heart of It: Proven Strategies to Bypass the Competition in Cardiovascular Services, Corazon Consulting announces the agenda for its 2003 Annual Conference, "The HEART of Your Cardiovascular Program: Hospitals & Physicians as Partners."  

The three-day cardiovascular conference event, scheduled October 22-24, at the Château Élan Winery & Resort, near Atlanta , GA will deliver a challenging agenda of presentations, workshops, and exhibits for healthcare executives and their physician counterparts. An outstanding panel of speakers is scheduled to present, including

The Keynote Speaker, Dr. David Hayes, Chair of the Cardiovascular Division at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Rochester , MN and Dr. Thomas Wharton of Exeter Hospital in NH, a pioneer in the development of community-based angioplasty programs with off-site cardiac surgery support.

A signature feature of this event is a preview of the results of Corazon’s National Benchmarking Survey. With more than 100 hospitals coast-to-coast participating, the survey will reveal “best practice” benchmarks and outstanding clinical, financial, and satisfaction outcomes. The Corazon National Benchmarking Survey will deliver vital information about cardiac practices around the country in order to establish performance indicators that can be used to track individual program success now and in the future.

Also on the agenda, a “point-counterpoint” spotlight on joint ventures and specialty hospitals that will update attendees on the current controversy and discuss creative ways to establish partnerships structured for sustained success, and a tour of the newly opened Ronnie Green Heart Center at Northeast Georgia Medical Center , the only Cardiac Universal Bed Unit in the state of Georgia .

Designed to deliver strategies to build your organization, grow partnerships that will enhance overall performance, and improve your competitive edge, the Annual Corazon Conference promises to strengthen and align the relationship between cardiovascular physicians and hospital operations.

The Château Élan Winery & Resort boasts an award-winning vintage wine producer; 63 holes of championship golf; and a world-class spa situated on a 3,500-acre campus that includes a four-star hotel and four-diamond conference center. The Corazon Conference has been scheduled with the cardiovascular professional in mind -- to provide adequate time for intensive education and networking as well as relaxation or adventure. To find out more or to register, visit the conference link of Corazon’s website at www.corazon-consulting.com.

Corazon is a recognized leader in strategic cardiovascular program development, assisting clients through the full spectrum of consulting services from feasibility study and business planning through implementation of services. The Corazon team of Heart Experts has assisted healthcare leaders and physicians in tertiary centers and community hospital settings to bring specialized advice and progressive thinking in cardiovascular services to strategic planning, market assessments and financial analyses, clinical operations and new technology, Heart Centers and Heart Hospitals, physician-hospital partnering, best practice benchmarks, and staffing models and staff education for well-developed or newly established cardiovascular programs. Corazon pioneered the application of the Universal Bed in cardiovascular care delivery and brings firsthand experience with service line management as a progressive organizational means for healthcare providers. Corazon is a 2003 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Company and one of the 2004 “ Pittsburgh 100” Companies.

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