The Seton Fund

The Seton Family of Hospitals has recruited a top cardiologist to direct the new Seton Heart Institute (SHI), Dr. Mark J. Pirwitz, FACC. Dr. Pirwitz will lead efforts to increase the hospital network's cardiac research and growing medical education programs in conjunction with UT Southwestern Medical Center of Dallas, one of the top medical schools in the nation.

SHI is another example of the Seton Family of Hospital's commitment to provide continuity of care to Central Texans.

Dr. Pirwitz, who will serve as president and chief executive officer of the institute, began his practice in Austin as an interventional cardiologist in 1996 before joining Spokane Cardiology in Washington in 2005. He has extensive cardiac research experience that includes participating in more than 100 clinical studies published in major medical journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American College of Cardiology, Circulation, Annals of Internal Medicine and Archives of Internal Medicine. Dr. Pirwitz's research focuses on various interventional cardiology devices such as cardiac stents and numerous pharmacologic studies involving patients with congestive heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, elevated cholesterol and heart rhythm and heart valve problems.

"The strong ties Seton Heart Institute will have with UT Southwestern in Dallas will lead to new innovations in high-quality cardiac care for Central Texans," Dr. Pirwitz said. "This new institute is the ideal environment for patients to experience person-centered care as well as leading edge medical innovations."

The new Seton Heart Institute delivers advanced cardiovascular care, including the use of innovative technologies such as the Impella device, a minimally invasive catheter pump that can support the heart with up to five liters of blood per minute. The device is used to help a patient's weakened heart during coronary stent procedures that otherwise would not be immediately possible due to the patient's condition.

SHI also provides a broad range of other cardiology services ranging from diagnostic tests such as echocardiography, stress testing and nuclear cardiac imaging. Other therapies will include the latest catheter treatments for peripheral artery disease including carotid stenting and less invasive treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms. Cardiologists Dr. Mary Beth Cishek, Dr. Michael Lenis, Dr. Paul Roach, Dr. Matthew Rogers, Dr. Matthew Stahlman and Dr. Michael Watkins are the first members of the Seton Heart Institute.

Dr. Gerardo Kalife, FACC, FSCAI, also joins the Seton Heart Institute as an interventional cardiologist. Previously, Dr. Kalife was a member of Hall-Garcia Cardiology Associates in Houston. He is a recipient of several awards from the Baylor College of Medicine that recognize his dedication to training and mentoring medical residents. His Seton Heart Institute office will be located in Seton Medical Center Williamson in Round Rock, Texas.

"The association of outstanding cardiologists with a health care network like Seton Family of Hospitals, Seton Heart Institute and UT Southwestern Medical Center will help ensure doctors are delivering compassionate care consistent with the highest standards of clinical quality," said Dr. Kalife.

Seton continues to be a regional leader in advanced care for heart failure and is the only health care system in Central Texas with the expertise and technology to perform heart transplants and implant ventricular assist devices.