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Barry S. Marshall

Barry S. Marshall is bringing multitasking to a new level.

He is settling into his new job as head of cardiology and vascular services at Methodist University Hospital while also juggling duties as head of the Transplant Institute.

Despite his hectic schedule, Marshall graciously took time to chat with the Memphis Medical News.



MMN: You have recently been hired or appointed as the new administrator of the cardiovascular services at Methodist University Hospital and will continue to serve as the administrator for the Transplant Institute. Has anyone ever held both positions before?

BSM: No, I'm the first. I accepted the new position on Nov. 27 and am just now getting my feet under me.



MMN: Why is this appointment so significant, and why now for Methodist?

BSM: A couple of reasons. First, while it may not seem like a big deal to those outside of Methodist, I can tell you that it is something for a healthcare system this size to make the decision essentially overnight to refocus on the cardiovascular program at University Hospital. Usually, you see meetings and delays, but not with this program. It happened just that quick. Secondly, I think that Methodist has a real commitment to the downtown market. Methodist could have opted to take the easy way out and just have patients find services wherever, but they want to provide the best services possible. That speaks volumes.



MMN: What does accepting this role mean for you personally?

BSM: It's a great opportunity for me personally and it is reflective of what Methodist believes about growing by promoting within and giving opportunities to staff. I couldn't be happier with the company. I am being asked in this role to implement or duplicate what we created with the Transplant Institute. While the Transplant Institute isn't entirely self-sufficient, we overcame major hurdles with that business. This is what I do and it's what I'm good at and Methodist recognizes that. I couldn't be happier.



MMN: Explain what a cardiovascular Center of Excellence means in this case.

BSM: For Memphis, it means being the place for referring physicians to send patients for anything from congestive heart failure, stenting, or cardiac catheters. Our goal is to get out into the referring physician community and have them be even more comfortable and confident about sending patients here to Methodist.



MMN: Technology continues to grow. What specifically is happening at Methodist with technological changes?

BSM: We're looking at two areas to begin with. We've just installed a GE Innova® 3100 system in procedure room 3 of the catheter lab and are looking at adding another 3100 in a second lab. We are currently in the process of upgrading heart labs by adding heart lab monitors in the procedure rooms. University Hospital has procedure rooms in the cath lab.

We are in the process of meeting with vendors to help design a brand new hybrid operating room or what you might call an endovascular suite. We have just started talking with vendors and will spend time over the next two quarters determining what exactly to do. We know we have the space, but we don't know if that means tearing down walls or combining existing ORs or what. We want as much physician input as possible on all available technologies.



MMN: Are you looking at other existing programs around the country as models, and if so, which ones?

BSM: Absolutely. Prior to my moving into this position, a group of doctors and administrators went to Vanderbilt and looked at the OR and the program over there. We will be going to the University of Pennsylvania in February to visit the cardiac center and review their program. We hope to make more informed decisions and talking to those who have done something like this already is important. Again, I can't stress the importance of having physician input at this stage.



MMN: How many physicians are involved in helping with this process?

BSM: I don't think I could name all our physicians because we have a large group and because I am so new! However, we do have a targeted core group comprised of six cardiologists and one endovascular surgeon with whom I have met and who will be part of this process.



MMN: What do you view as the current challenges facing you as the new head of cardiology and vascular services?

BSM: The big challenge is to move to become a Center of Excellence. We are at the early stages where we don't know what we don't know. We need to develop our niche, getting tools and resources in place. That all requires a pretty significant capital expenditure and we will spend the next couple of quarters analyzing what it will take because you're looking at millions of dollars. I'll spend time making the business case.

We have a very good administrative director, clinical director and new PCC. We have a new team in place that is truly a strong clinical and operational component. I am very impressed with the dedication of the physicians and I'm not easily impressed! They are very much looking forward to growth and impressed with Methodist's commitment to grow. It adds excitement to their work knowing they are part of creating something better, something that is going to be great.

In short, that's my job, to make sure that all the tools are there, all the pieces and parts exist in order to succeed.


February 2007

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