Renowned Cardiology Group Aligns With SCMC

Bruce C. Christian, President and CEO of South Coast Medical Center, announces that Joseph M. Ruggio, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FACP and the fine physicians of Pacific Cardiovascular Associates (PCA) – currently based in Costa Mesa – has entered into a strategic relationship with the hospital and will open its doors in Spring 2008. Dr. Ruggio, Founder and President of PCA, was recently honored with the 2007 Physician of the Year Award from the California Chapter of the American College of Cardiology.

“With a primary target of the hospital’s being baby boomers, we think it is critical that we enhance our services in the cardiology area,” said Christian. “I don’t think there is a better cardiology group in Orange County – and we are thrilled to have them join us.”

Dr. Ruggio is Board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Interventional Cardiology and continues to actively contribute to research efforts in the field of cardiovascular medicine, particularly invasive/interventional cardiology. Having successfully been responsible for the cardiovascular care and management of over 2 million lives over the past 21 years, PCA continues to innovate in the area of cardiovascular guidelines, outcome assessments, best practices and information systems. In addition to opening new offices at the SCMC campus, Dr. Ruggio’s group will also oversee the management of the hospital’s Cath Lab.

"What do we hope to accomplish by forming a strategic alliance between PCA and South Coast Medical center?” asked Dr. Ruggio. “Our goals are simple but noble: to provide consistent, conscientious and committed physician leadership which, when coupled with the talented hospital administrative staff, will bring to fruition our combined vision of a cardiovascular program of distinction at SCMC.”

Dr. Ruggio has been a pioneer in the development and implementation of high-quality, cost-effective, cardiovascular service delivery systems in various managed care settings. He is currently focusing the efforts of his organization to deliver high quality, cost-effective cardiovascular services. He is evangelical about evidence-based practice and continues to be regarded as an opinion leader in this area. He is a high volume, highly respected interventional cardiologist that is committed to the training and education of fellow cardiologists.

Dr. Ruggio added, “Together we will provide full scope cardiovascular services within the capabilities of SCMC, guided by the following principles: 1. Instill a culture and philosophy, which promulgates a commitment to high quality patient care and high quality of service. 2. Focus on attaining outstanding independently scrutinized patient outcomes. 3. Install Peer review, Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement processes, policies and procedures. 4. Unyielding commitment to evidence based medicine and best practice guidelines. 5. Strive to demonstrate value. 6. Develop a self-sustaining growth oriented model.”

PCA is a California Professional Corporation that operates in Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties, Guam and the Asia Pacific Region and has a comprehensive cardiovascular network, covering Southern California from Long Beach to San Clemente. It is assembled with the finest physician and ancillary staff in the country.

“By combining the experienced, program-building talents of the distinguished Cardiologists of Pacific Cardiovascular Associates with the vision of Bruce Christian and the management capability of his senior management staff, the likelihood of success is nearly assured,” said Ruggio. “We undertake this challenge with great enthusiasm and singularity of purpose - to help build a cardiovascular program that serves the needs of the community with distinction."

Dr. Ruggio completed medical school at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York where he graduated AOA. He continued on with internship and residency as well as a fellowship in cardiovascular disease at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Dr. Ruggio continued with his additional training at a number of outstanding institutions in the United States, focusing on interventional cardiology and endovascular medicine.

South Coast Medical Center, with 208 beds, is a member of the Adventist Health system, operating out of Laguna Beach.

Posted 11/26/07