We caught an elevator to the first floor where doctors' offices provide space for the 44 cardiologists and 11 cardiothoracic surgeons on WakeMed's medical staff can have consultations with patients or study their prognoses. In the procedure area restful scenes of mountains or seascapes are shown on ceiling screens above the patient's head. Close by on the same floor is the observation unit where patients are taken before procedures and afterward for recovery. The Heart Center Inn is located on the top floor of the Center. The moderately priced Inn is operated like a hotel, but with special resources and services relating to cardiac care.
Patients can register for a hotel room and a cardiac procedure at the same time.
Adjacent to the Inn is the Resource Center where families can learn about cardiac problems from books, medical journals, videos and on-line. The Center has computers linked to the Internet and each Inn room has its own TV and VCR for showing videos. The Center will present tours and exhibits, demonstrations, health screenings, personal heart risk assessment, entertainment and heart-healthy refreshments. It's true that he may be the guest conductor with the biggest name so far in the tenure of Music Director Gerhardt Zimmermann. But Leppard's visit was booked before that plan was unveiled.