Technology and Research

The Covenant Center for the Heart uses state-of-the-science technology to the fullest. It’s no wonder we are the area’s leader in cardiovascular research, with ongoing studies in virtually every aspect of cardiac care. The Covenant Center for the Heart is also one of the state’s leading diagnostic centers and is uniquely positioned to become a leading cardiac research facility on the national health care scene.

Since 1999, Covenant HealthCare has been involved in Cardiac Research Clinical Trials. Our extraordinary research department, which consists of principle investigators, sub-investigators, certified registered nurses and administrative experts in clinical research, actively involved with several cardiovascular studies.

The Covenant Center for the Heart also remains committed to bringing heart-healthy education such as healthy cooking presentations, diabetes education programs, and on-going cardiac rehab information to the community. We offer numerous classrooms and meeting areas where our education specialists, physicians, and others can share important health care information with our patients.

So when it comes to your heart, choose the Covenant Center for the Heart. You’ll gain the life-saving and enhanced-care advantages of the latest breakthroughs. Which means you’ll have more treatment options available for your heart care needs.

Covenant HealthCare is a proud pioneer of advanced technology and research in cardiac care:

  • 1980 - First Cardiac Rehabilitation Program in region
  • 1995 - First Cardiac stent implant in Saginaw
  • 1996 - First Chest Pain Center in region
  • 1999 - First heart center in Midwest (and one of the first in the nation) to implement newest Siemens Cardiac Cath technology
  • 2000 - First heart center in Michigan to use Galileo Intravascular Radiotherapy System
  • 2001 - First area research using CARTO Electrophysiology Navigation
  • 2002 - First regional participant in CABG studies (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting)
  • 2003 - First drug-eluting stent implant approved by FDA in region
  • 2005 - Women's Heart Advantage program introduced for women to address women's heart and health issues
  • 2006 - Covenant HealthCare is the only medical center in Michigan offering physicians and patients specialized care for Atrial Fibrillation under one roof
  • 2010 - Covenant Heart Specialists and Valley Cardiology merge
  • 2011 - Gratiot Family Practice forms a partnership with Covenant HealthCare to enhance patient centered medical care in Alma.
  • 2011 - Covenant HealthCare opens dedicated Cardiomyopathy Center
  • 2011 - Loai Marouf, DO, passes the nuclear boards, and is now certified in Nuclear Cardiology through the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology
  • 2011 - Transradial Cardiac Catheterization procedures performed at Covenant HealthCare
  • 2012 - Covenant HealthCare announced that Umesh A. Badami, MD, passes the recertification requirements set by the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology (CBNC), making him a diplomate of the CBNC
  • 2013 - McKenzie Health System and Marlette Regional Hospital have come together to bring the most advanced cardiac care close to home. They are collaborating with Covenant HealthCare to give patients the most comprehensive cardiac care in the region
  • 2013 - Michigan CardioVascular Research Program at Covenant HealthCare first to enroll participants in state and first in the nation for heart-related clinical trials
  • 2014 - Covenant Center for the Heart has treated patients with heart attacks (STEMI) which are more likely to result in death if not treated quickly, in less than 60 minutes (National Goal is 90 minutes or less) from their arrival 100% of the time
  • 2014 - Aortic Valve Replacement without open heart surgery at Covenant; Clinical team is first in the Great Lakes Bay Region to perform procedure
  • 2014 - Caro Community Hospital, Hills & Dales General Hospital, and Covenant HealthCare announce a partnership to increase cardiology services in the Caro and Cass City communities. Three Covenant Center for the Heart Cardiologists will regularly be on location at Caro Community Hospital and Hills & Dales General Hospital to provide high-quality cardiovascular services for patients in Tuscola County
  • 2014 - Covenant HealthCare became the first hospital in the Great Lakes Bay Region to perform the TAVR procedure
  • 2017 - 100th heart valve replaced using minimally invasive approach at Covenant HealthCare
  • 2017 - First in the Great Lakes Bay Region to do transcaval and mitral in mitral valve replacement