Ascension advances cardiovascular leadership model

The Ascension Michigan cardiovascular service line has announced a newly created leadership role with the addition of Kristopher M. George, M.D. to its team. As Chair of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Ascension Southeast Michigan, and Medical Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Ascension Providence Hospital, Dr. George oversees operational goals, strategic growth and program development of Ascension’s hospitals in Rochester, Southfield, Novi, Warren, Madison Heights, and Detroit.

“All of our heart centers have individual strategic and operational goals that roll up to a state-wide strategy,” states Dr. Shukri David, Chair, Ascension Michigan Cardiovascular Service Line. “The creation of this cardiovascular leadership position builds upon the synergy established amongst our high case volume heart centers in southeast Michigan to continue the advancements made over the last several years.”

Reporting directly to Dr. David, Dr. George brings a physician leadership perspective to current cardiovascular market trends including the growth of increasingly complex patient cases that has impacted the industry.

“Adding high-level talent like Dr. George to Ascension Michigan’s leadership team is a strategic move to support our goals for southeast Michigan,” said Dr. David. “His dedication to heart care is demonstrated through his visionary, forward-thinking approach. We welcome him back to Michigan, providing our teams and communities with his leadership and expertise.”

With more than 20 years of experience, Dr. George comes to Ascension most recently from Fresno, California where he held the role of Medical Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Community Regional Medical Center and Clinical Professor of Surgery, University of California San Francisco. Passionate about cardiac recovery, Dr. George’s objectives involve executing advanced technology practices within the system’s heart centers, such as Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation and Left Ventricular Assist Device programs.

“It is an honor to join the reputable Ascension Michigan cardiovascular leadership team and to come back to my home state,” said Dr. George. “In recent years, resources within the cardiothoracic practice have grown significantly, ensuring full cardiac support and recovery, lending a higher level of lifestyle sustainability than ever before. I look forward to using my expertise in valve surgery and reoperations to bring innovative solutions to support the system’s long-term success.”

Dr. George received his medical degree from Wayne State University. He completed his cardiothoracic residency at George Washington University and his cardiothoracic fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. At the Cleveland Clinic, he completed a heart failure surgery fellowship focused on minimally-invasive valve and complex cardiac surgeries. He is an active member of several cardiac surgical societies, has been published in numerous cardiac surgical journals and participates regularly in clinical trials. He is board certified in cardiothoracic as well as general surgery. His cardiac surgery practice includes all aspects of adult heart surgery, with a special focus on valve surgery and complex reoperations.

About Ascension Michigan

In Michigan, Ascension operates 15 hospitals and hundreds of related healthcare facilities that together employ over 20,000 associates. Across the state, Ascension provided over $272 million in community benefit and care of persons living in poverty in fiscal year 2018. Serving Michigan for over 140 years, Ascension (www.ascension.org) is a faith-based healthcare organization dedicated to transformation through innovation across the continuum of care. As one of the leading non-profit and Catholic health systems in the U.S., Ascension is committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. In fiscal year 2018, Ascension provided nearly $2 billion in care of persons living in poverty and other community benefit programs. Ascension includes approximately 156,000 associates and 34,000 aligned providers. The national health system operates more than 2,600 sites of care – including 151 hospitals and more than 50 senior living facilities – in 21 states and the District of Columbia.