Contact: Erin Bernardo, Fairview, 952.924.1578 or ebernar1@fairview.org

MINNEAPOLIS (June 24, 2009) – Fairview and University of Minnesota Physicians today named Debra Rudquist as its new cardiovascular service line executive. A nurse by training, Rudquist will work closely with Robert Wilson, MD, cardiovascular executive medical director at University of Minnesota Physicians, and Mark Dixon, Fairview regional president, to provide strategic direction for a cardiovascular division that serves more than 25,000 patients annually and generates $134 million in revenue for the company. The comprehensive program includes 37 cardiologists, seven Fairview hospitals, including the University of Minnesota Medical Center, 13 ambulatory clinics and such ancillary services as imaging and cardiac rehabilitation.

“Fairview’s vision to be a national leader by 2015 in cardiovascular clinical care, research and education requires leadership to build collaborative partnerships among organizations that include the University of Minnesota Medical School, the university’s Academic Health Center, University of Minnesota Physicians, and private practice physicians. Ms. Rudquist’s expertise will help us to realize our vision,” says Dixon.

Rudquist brings more than 20 years of wide-ranging expertise to the executive position. Service as Executive Director of Ambulatory Services, Director of the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute and Director of Referral Business Development at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the Minneapolis Heart Institute are among her most recent accomplishments. In these capacities, Rudquist was accountable for strategic planning and joint ventures, regulatory processes, financial improvements, volume growth and employee engagement initiatives.

“Debra Rudquist’s clinical and industry experience complement each other and extend our capabilities in academic and clinic settings, bringing the best of planning and strategic knowledge to the position,” says Wilson. “This is a key next step in advancing the mission and vision of the service line.”

Fairview, the cardiovascular services division at University of Minnesota Physicians and Minnesota Heart Clinic came together in October 2008 to create one of the largest cardiovascular programs in the state. To learn more, visit fairview.org/heartcareformn.

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