Pioneering the Practice of Medicine
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Pioneering the Practice of Medicine: Dr. Clif Hamilton
Heart care took a major step forward in 1969 when cardiovascular surgeon Dr. Clif Hamilton joined the medical staff. That same year, he and his team performed the region's first open heart surgery. The building blocks came together quickly…
Expertise: Dr. Hamilton recognized heart surgery was not a solo effort. It required the expertise of cardiology, anesthesiology, nursing, respiratory care and more. To meet the need, his team eagerly pursued additional training. In Minneapolis, his wife Yvonne, an operating room nurse, learned perfusion skills for operating a heart/lung machine.
Support: "Everybody was just wonderful – it was a community effort," said Dr. Hamilton, reflecting on the program's development. Steps included purchasing surgery equipment, establishing a cardiac cath lab and recruiting more cardiologists. Today, with hospital and clinic working as one, commitment to heart care continues seamlessly.
Dedication to patient: Known by colleagues as "one of the three best surgeons in the world," Dr. Hamilton also demonstrated extraordinary patient care. Following their surgery, for example, he would spend entire nights with patients.
By 1971, 100 heart surgeries had been performed – a clear signal MeritCare would one day be the region's heart center.