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Five Charlotte-area cardiologists announced Tuesday they are leaving practices owned by Carolinas HealthCare System to join Mid Carolina Cardiology, a group affiliated with cross-town rival Presbyterian Healthcare.
The move comes on the same day that a previously announced merger of two Carolinas Healthcare-owned groups – the Sanger Clinic and Charlotte Cardiology Associates – takes effect.
Dr. Richard Jacoby, who has worked for Charlotte Cardiology Associates in the Lake Norman area, will become part of Mid Carolina Cardiology and Presbyterian Novant Medical Group, effective Wednesday. He will work in MCC's Huntersville office, 10030 Gilead Rd., Suite 201, as well as in the Charlotte office at 1718 E. Fourth St., Suite 501.
The four other cardiologists joining MCC and Presbyterian Novant Medical Group are Martin Kreshon, Jr., James Roberts, David Smith and Christopher Stephenson. All work at Charlotte Cardiology Associates in the Monroe office. Effective Wednesday, , they will work at Mid Carolina Cardiology's new Monroe office, 1404 E. Franklin St.
Charlotte Cardiology Associates was acquired by Carolinas HealthCare in 2007, and the Sanger Clinic has been affiliated with Carolinas Medical Center for its 45 years. Effective Wednesday, Charlotte Cardiology and Sanger will merge with the heart institute at Carolinas Medical Center to become the Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute.
“Often times there are philosophical and strategic differences that lead physicians to shift their group and hospital affiliations,” said Dr. Yele Aluko, a cardiologist and past-president of Mid Carolina Cardiology.
Kevin McCarthy, a spokesman for Carolinas HealthCare, said more than 70 doctors were asked to sign new contracts in conjunction with the Sanger reorganization and all but five did.
“Any time you have a reorganization like this, there's always going to be the potential for physician realignment,” McCarthy said. When Novant Health, which owns Presbyterian, took control of the Lake Norman Regional Medical Center physician network last year, eight doctors chose to join Carolinas HealthCare, he said. “It's not unusual for this to happen, and it happens in both directions.” Karen Garloch
