FOLEY, Ala. — The South Baldwin Regional Medical Center celebrated the completion of the new Heart and Vascular Center Tuesday with a ribbon cutting and tour.

Eight years ago the hospital was leased to Community Health Services, which committed to improving the quality of service to the area and upgrading the facilities, including the addition of the new Heart and Vascular Center.

“I’m so glad we leased to Community Health Services,” Member of the Board of Directors Larry Newton said. “They’ve done so much to upgrade the facilities here. It’s a wonderful place to be and to come if you’re ill. They’ve exceeded expectations with the improvements. I’ve lost count of all the additions.”

Construction on the new Heart and Vascular Center began over a year ago and will feature a new vascular lab with advanced equipment designed to diagnose and treat peripheral vascular disease, which occurs when cholesterol builds in an artery. The lab will also feature special equipment that provides high quality images to doctors.

“Just a few short months ago we were standing here in a parking lot and now we’re sitting in what may be the best diagnostic facility available in Baldwin County at this moment,” Dr. Karl Hakmiller said. “This building right here is just the physical manifestation of our commitment to quality.”

Carla English, a representative from the American Heart Association, was on hand to present the hospital with the Sustained Performance Gold Award. This award is presented to hospitals that have spent two or more years at 85 percent or higher adherence to all performance measures.

“This award signifies that South Baldwin has reached an aggressive compliance goal of treating their cardiovascular patients and closing the treatment gap in secondary prevention for this population, through the development of a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular patients admitted to the emergency room.”

English also presented the hospital with a framed article from U.S. News and World Report, which recognized South Baldwin in its Best Hospitals issue; thanks to a recommendation from the American Heart Association.

The new wing will not only see new facilities and equipment, but new faces as well. With the addition of Dr. Bunch , patients can expect reduced waiting times for procedures and flexible scheduling.

“Dr. Bunch is a nationally recognized peripheral interventionist,” Dr. Hakmiller said. “Hiring a new doctor is not an insignificant project, in these days of health care cost cuts and some of the things we’re seeing with our economy. “

With the new labs, equipment and awards, South Baldwin Regional Medical Center has become one of the more celebrated and advanced hospitals in the county and the state.

“South Baldwin represents a hospital committed to its staff, committed to the patients they treat and a community who trust them to care for their families and friends,” English said.”