U-M Cardiovascular Center Grand Opening
June 7, 2007
Watch June 7 CVC Grand Opening Ceremony (You will need Windows Media Player)
More than 3,000 people joined the University of Michigan Health System June 7 for the grand opening of the new U-M Cardiovascular Center building. In this magnificent multidisciplinary center we will provide our adult patients with world-class care and research, as we work to reduce the impact of cardiovascular disease on our state and our nation.
The grand opening celebration began with a moment of silence to recognize the tragic loss of six transplant team members in an air ambulance crash June 4. After asking the families of the lost men for guidance, we decided to go forward with the opening event at their urging, but to dedicate it to their memory and add elements to commemorate the loss. The six men dedicated their lives to saving the lives of others. And that is the same mission to which hundreds of Cardiovascular Center faculty, staff and students have dedicated themselves. To recognize that, the grand opening of the CVC is a fitting tribute to our lost colleagues.
The air ambulance crew included:
David Ashburn, M.D.
Richard Chenault II
Dennis Hoyes
Rick Lapensee
Bill Serra
Martinus (Martin) Spoor, M.D.
Grand Opening Speakers
Sanjay Gupta, M.D.
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent
U-M Medical School alumnus and Neurosurgery resident
Robert Kelch, M.D.
Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and CEO
University of Michigan Health System
Mary Sue Coleman, Ph.D.
President, University of Michigan
Antonia Coello Novello, M.D., MPH, Dr.PH.
Former Commissioner, New York State Department of Health
U-M Cardiovascular Center National Advisory Board Member
Former Surgeon General of the United States
Facts about Cardiovascular Disease from our Speakers
- Michigan is one of only two northern states in the worst category for incidence of stroke.
- Heart disease is the state’s and nation’s leading cause of death. Stroke isn’t far behind – it’s the third leading cause of death for Michigan and the United States.
- One in five Americans or 61.8 million have one or more type of cardiovascular disease.
- The national cost of cardiovascular disease and stroke this year is estimated at $431.8 billion. This includes health care spending and loss of productivity from illness and death.
- Michigan ranks 12th in total deaths from all cardiovascular diseases, with the nation’s eighth worst death rate for coronary heart disease.
- At U-M, our outpatient visits and inpatient cases at all of our Cardiovascular Center facilities rose by about 30% in the last five years.
- In FY06, our faculty and staff handled 169,306 cardiovascular patient encounters. This year, that number is expected to be 177,000 and more than 185,000 in FY08.
- 22% of Michiganders and 23.4% of Metro Detroiters smoke. The national average is 20%.
- 62.5% of Michigan’s adults are overweight, compared to 61.5% of all Americans.
- 27.1% of Michiganders and 32.2% of Metro Detroiters are obese, compared to 24.9% of Americans.
- 8.1% of Michiganders and 9.3% of Metroit Detroits have diabetes, higher than the national average of 7.3%
- 28.8% of Michiganders and 30.8% of Metro Detroiters have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. The national average is 26.2%.
- 39.5% of Michiganders and 39.1% of Metro Detroiters have high cholesterol, compared to the national average of 36.1%.
- Heart disease kills nearly half a million women each year, claiming more lives than the next seven causes of death combined – including cancer.
- More women than men die from heart disease, and more women die from heart disease than breast cancer.
- More than 63% of women who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no previous symptoms.
Take preventive measures, as suggested by our speakers
- Keep yourself healthy by scheduling an annual exam with your doctor. Have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked.
- Cut down on cholesterol-rich foods.
- Choose foods high in fiber.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Be physically active.
- Practice stress management.
- Do not smoke.
- Take medications prescribed by your doctor
Grand Opening Entertainment
MASS Ensemble performed, under the direction of creator William Close. The internationally known performance group combines the creative forces of artists, musicians, composers and choreographers. MASS is known for its large-scale instruments and kinetic performances. The “World’s Largest Stringed Instrument” and other invented instruments were designed by Close; a large harp suspended from an outside wall of the Cardiovascular Center, provided a landscape for the artists to perform at the grand opening.
An original musical piece was conceived by Dr. Cyrus Farrehi and funded by the Farrehi Family Foundation. The piece was composed by School of Music Professor and Composer Michael Daugherty. Fanfare for Brass and Percussion was performed by the CVC Brass and Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Conductor Emily Threinen.
