10 Years of the Gill Affiliate Network: Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital
The Gill Heart & Vascular Institute Affiliate Network launched in 2014 to better connect community hospitals across the Commonwealth with the expertise and resources available at UK HealthCare. Throughout 2024, UK HealthCare is highlighting achievements by the 23 members of the Gill Affiliate Network (GAN) as part of the network’s 10th anniversary celebration.
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LCRH), based in Somerset, Ky., and established in 1976, became the 16th member of the network in February 2019. Since then, Gill has supported the cardiovascular efforts of this 295-bed acute care facility serving an 11-county area in south central Kentucky.
How has being part of the network influenced how you care for those in your community?
We are actively participating in GAN to develop stronger processes and care models. Our goal is to ensure the highest standard of care, optimize bed space and resource utilization, and deliver efficient treatment that leads to better outcomes and increased patient satisfaction. As we do, we all benefit! As Robert Parker, former LCRH CEO, says, “Yes, let's help each other. I may find myself closest to one of these other facilities when I have ‘the big one.’”
Since 2018, Dr. Michael McKinney has provided cardiology support for the Somerset community through a professional services agreement with the Gill Heart & Vascular Institute. This means that you have a UK cardiologist embedded in your hospital and community full time. What has been the impact of this collaboration?
Dr. Michael McKinney is fabulous and his work is exceptional. Gill was instrumental in his recruitment to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, and having him has ensured that we can provide high quality care to the patients in our area.
The cardiac rehab program at UK HealthCare and all those associated with it were a very important resource during the establishment of our own program here at Lake Cumberland. We made many on-site visits to observe and learn best practices. They were always just a phone call or email away when we had questions. They are and continue to be a very important resource for our cardiac rehab program.
Our work with Gill has also helped us establish our coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) program. The network has been a great resource for policies and protocols. The team has invited us to observe their CCTA program to learn best practices. In addition, they are always happy to answer any questions we have and guide us in the right direction.
What are you most looking forward to in the years to come? What does your hospital hope to achieve next through its relationship with the network?
We hope to build our team for greater capacity for timely chest pain follow-up and expansion of our congestive heart failure (CHF) program and services. A personal goal is to see us attain dual accreditation in chest pain and CHF to achieve Heart Care Center of Distinction through the American College of Cardiology during my service here.
