Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center hosts Pacers for Heart Month celebration

In celebration of Heart Month, Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center welcomed Indiana Pacers Guard Johnny Furphy and former player Scot Pollard this week, marking the occasion with heartfelt gestures and gratitude.

Amidst an atmosphere of celebration, Scot Pollard honored Cynthia Cartee, a longtime Heart Center associate, for her years of dedicated service, while also commemorating his first anniversary of a life-saving heart transplant, underscoring the critical role of Ascension St. Vincent’s exceptional care and support.

Associates enjoyed a memorable celebration as they met players for photos and autographs, spun for prizes and marked a remarkable achievement – becoming the No. 1 heart program in the state and No. 2 in the nation for cardiac care, as recognized by Money’s Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care 2024. The event also highlighted the program’s recent ranking among the Top 50 Cardiovascular Hospitals in the Nation by Premier Inc.

Former Pacers player and heart transplant patient Scot Pollard joined the festivities as this month marks one year since his heart transplant. Pollard, who received his pre-transplant care and ongoing cardiac treatment at Ascension St. Vincent, expressed his deep appreciation for the care and support he has received.

“I’m beyond grateful for the extraordinary care and support I received at Ascension St. Vincent,” Pollard said. “This journey has shown me just how vital it is to listen to your body. Early intervention – combined with a compassionate, skilled team – can truly be the difference between struggling and thriving.”

“We are immensely proud to be recognized as the top-ranked cardiac care hospital in Indiana and second in the nation,” said Lori Shannon, President of Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center. “Our achievements reflect the dedication, teamwork, and passion of every associate here. Moments like today, where we celebrate patient milestones and honor exceptional service, remind us that every day we are making a difference in the lives of our community.”

Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center is proudly physician owned and provides comprehensive and innovative Cardiovascular care, offering advanced treatments for a range of complex heart conditions. As Indiana’s only five-star heart hospital, Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center specializes in complex heart care, surgery, using minimally invasive techniques and quality outcomes for the full spectrum of Heart care. The team also leads groundbreaking research to improve cardiovascular care and patient outcomes.