1. Give us a brief history of your organization.
Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) was founded in 1983 by Dr. Craig Walker, who first established the company as a one-physician practice in Houma, Louisiana. At that time, the city was experiencing one of the highest cardiovascular disease mortality rates in the nation. Driven by a desire to serve and heal people in his community, Dr. Walker envisioned CIS as a leader in the development of new techniques and technologies in the treatment of both coronary and peripheral artery diseases.
CIS has grown to become a world-renowned practice. This commitment to growth and excellence has earned CIS recognition as a leader in research development and state-of-the-art cardiovascular care, as well as garnered international acclaim for its significant contributions to the advancement of non-surgical treatments for cardiovascular disease. CIS first opened in Acadiana in August of 1991.
2. What would you tell the rest of Acadiana makes you special?
CIS has been in the Acadiana community for more than 30 years, growing to three locations in Lafayette, and opening clinics in Breaux Bridge, Crowley, Jennings, New Iberia, and Opelousas. Across Louisiana, CIS has more than 20 locations and is always striving to make then most advanced cardiovascular care accessible to rural communities who need it most.
Lafayette is also home to CIS’s first and only Virtual Care Center, which provides 24/7 access to care for CIS patients. The VCC also offers telecardiology services, Cardio@Home programs, and cardiac rhythm management to help patients manage their care from home.
The CIS Intensive Cardiac Rehab facility is also located in Lafayette. Focusing on lifestyle, nutrition and exercise, this program is ideal for patients needing to heal and recover from a cardiac event.
3. What are you most proud of?
Though Louisiana is known to have one of the highest incidences of heart disease in the United States, statistics show that CIS has improved heart disease death rates since 1983, making a dramatic impact on the number of hearts, limbs and lives saved in our communities.
4. Where do you see your organization in 10 years? What are your plans for the future?
CIS plans to continue to bring the latest technology and most advanced cardiology care to Acadiana and expand to bring these services to more communities. CIS remains on the forefront for new devices, diagnostics and procedures to provide the most advanced cardiovascular care available to patients. Moving forward, CIS plans to continue this mission.
5. 1A is making an impact as we take an active role in improving the community we live in. Our members are making an impact, too! – What does impact mean to you? How is your company making an impact?
CIS has made an impact on Acadiana by improving quality of life for our patients. Bringing the latest in cardiovascular care allows us to offer the most effective diagnosis and treatment, to catch vascular disease in its early stages and to utilize the most advanced and safest options to treat these conditions.