Native American Cardiology Program
ABOUT US
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HISTORY
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PARTNER SERVICES
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PARTICIPATING IHS AND TRIBAL FACILITIES
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FAQ
NACP partners with Flagstaff Medical Center Hospital (FMC) and the Heart and Vascular Center of Northern Arizona (HVCNA) in Flagstaff, AZ. We are funded by Indian Health Service hospitals and tribal facilities in Northern Arizona.
Services include:
- Inpatient Follow Up
- Outpatient Consultations
- Pacemaker and AICD Checks
- On-site Cardiology Clinics
- Outreach Echocardiography
Prior to 1960, coronary artery disease was uncommon in Native Americans.
Today, heart disease is the number one killer of the American Indian and Alaskan Native population.
Changes in diet, economics and lifestyle have resulted in increased obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney failure. This increases rates of coronary disease, heart attacks and cardiac deaths.
About Us
Inpatient Continuity of Care
When an inpatient is discharged from FMC, their care is transferred to the IHS NACP physicians who will continue to monitor the patient's progress either through Cardiology on-site clinics or outpatient visits.
Cardiology On-Site Clinics
The IHS NACP physicians travel monthly to remote IHS hospitals and tribal faculties to provide follow up patient care on site.
Outpatient Consultations
Any participating IHS or tribal primary care physician can refer outpatients to the IHS NACP physicians for cardiac testing and evaluation.
Pacemaker and AICD Clinics
The IHS NACP physicians hold monthly Pacemaker/AICD Clinics in Flagstaff, AZ as well as conduct others off site. The program manages a Pacemaker/AICD patient registry to ensure that all devices are routinely monitored.
Telemedicine
The IHS NACP physicians read field echo studies performed at the remote IHS or tribal clinic locations real time through secured internet resources. This eliminates the need for patients to travel long distances, which can be hard on the elderly and costly for gas.
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History
The Southwest Native American Cardiology Program was first established in 1993 by the Tucson, Phoenix and Navajo IHS Areas. Because the Southwest Native American Cardiology Program did not have sufficient resources alone, the program partnered with non-government associates. By sharing mutual resources-supplies, equipment and personnel-the partners were finally able to provide a culturally sensitive system of care for the Indian population.
Today the Native American Cardiology Program, which is funded by the Indian Health Service and tribal facilities in Northern Arizona, is located in Flagstaff, Arizona. It partners with Flagstaff Medical Center and the Heart and Vascular Center of Northern Arizona to provide emergency consultations, inpatient services, outpatient services, cardiology clinic services and echocardiography interpretations.
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Partner Services
Emergency Consultations
Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) provides 24 hour a day, seven days a week consultative services to the IHS and tribal primary care physicians at 928-214-2999.
Inpatient Admissions
FMC and the Heart and Vascular Center of Northern Arizona (HVCNA) provide leading-edge inpatient cardiac treatment to Native American patients.
FMC IHS Case Manager
An FMC IHS Case Manager is assigned to coordinate Native American inpatient care and discharge instructions.
Navajo Translators
Navajo translators are available to assist with language translations for non-English speaking patients.
IHS NACP and HVCNA Physicians
Dena Wilson, MD, FACC, Cardiologist IHS NACP
Henry Van Dyk, MD, FACP, Internist IHS NACP
Eric Cohen, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Interventional Cardiologist HVCNA
James Dwyer, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Interventional Cardiologist HVCNA
Omar Wani, MD, FACC, FSCAI, Interventional Cardiologist HVCNA
Craig Peters, DO, FACC, General Cardiology HVCNA
Steven Peterson, MD, FACS, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery HVCNA
Kenneth Bescak, MD, FACC, Diagnostic Cardiology
Lynn Otto, MD, Electrophysiology
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Participating IHS & Tribal Facilities
- Chinle Comprehensive Health Care
- Chilchinbeto Clinic
- Tsehootsooi Medical Center
- Supai Health Clinic
- Hopi Health Care Center
- Inscription House Clinic
- Kayenta Service Unit
- NACA Family Health Center
- Northern Navajo Medical Center
- Peach Springs Health Clinic
- Pinon Health Center
- Sacred Peaks Health Center
- Sage Memorial Hospital
- Tsaile Health Center
- Four Corners Regional Health Center
- Tuba City Regional Health Care
- Winslow Indian Health Care Clinic
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
QUESTION: I am a Native American. Do I call you to make an appointment to see your physicians?
ANSWER: No, it is recommended that you obtain a referral from your primary care physician at your IHS or tribal clinic. The physicians will review the referral and pertinent patient information forwarded by your clinic. They will identify and order the appropriate testing. You will be scheduled for an appointment and notified by a letter and a reminder call.
QUESTION: How long does an appointment take?
ANSWER: A typical appointment can take up to four hours. Because many of our patients travel from remote locations, the tests are scheduled the same day as the consultation. This allows our physicians to let the patient know the results of the tests performed and to give a comprehensive treatment plan.
QUESTION: When are the cardiology clinics at my location?
ANSWER: Call your appointment desk and inquire. The dates are different each month. Our physicians typically travel to Ft. Defiance, Hopi, Chinle and Tuba City monthly. Kayenta and Peach Springs are visited quarterly or semi - annually.
QUESTION: Will I be billed when I visit the IHS Cardiologist?
ANSWER: No, not if you have a Contact Health Services referral from your local hospital or tribal facility prior to your office visit. We do not charge the patient for our physician's consultations, but we do schedule tests. Those tests are billed by the hospital to cover the technician's expenses and supplies. The expenses and supplies can be very costly and they will be billed to you if you don't have a referral.
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