Two Wilmington-area cardiology practices recently merged and joined the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Physician Group, as Cape Fear Heart Associates.

It’s part of an ongoing trend of consolidation and merger in the healthcare industry evidenced locally and nationwide.

The two practices, formerly Wilmington Cardiology and Coastal Cardiology Associates, have 16 physicians and seven mid-level providers who specialize in comprehensive cardiovascular care.

NHRMC Physician Group has “enjoyed a strong relationship with these practitioners for years,” Jack Barto, New Hanover Regional Medical Center president and CEO, said in a prepared statement.

“We are so pleased that our association with them is strengthened further by this partnership.”

Barto said that by joining the NHRMC Physician Group, the practice and its patients will benefit from access to the group’s integrated business support resources and services, including medical office technology and information technology that will be linked with New Hanover Regional Medical Center’s systems for more seamless care.

“By joining forces with another large cardiology practice, we will offer our patients access to an even larger team of specialists, all focused on advancing cardiac care through collaboration,” Dr. Frank Hobart, of the new practice, said in a prepared statement.

“Now that we are part of the NHRMC Physician Group, our patients will have a more streamlined experience, aligned with the resources in our practice and at the NHRMC Heart Center,” Dr. James Harper Jr., also of Cape Fear Heart Associates, said in a prepared statement.

“This closer relationship with New Hanover Regional Medical Center is the next logical step to ensure the quality care our patients have come to expect,” Harper said.

Providers with Cape Fear Heart Associates include:
Dr. Christopher C. Barber
Dr. William P. Buchanan
Dr. Linda P. Calhoun
Dr. P. Christopher Ellis
Dr. James S. Forrester, Jr.
Dr. James R. Harper, Jr.
Dr. Frank A. Hobart
Dr. W. Lance Lewis
Dr. Anthony Maglione
Dr. Frederick Meine
Dr. Mark T. Murphy
Dr. Henry M. Patel
Dr. Praful N. Patel
Dr. William T. Smith, IV
Dr. David E. Weaver
Dr. Timothy M. Winslow

The NHRMC Physician Group is part of Carolina’s Physician Network. CPN allows physicians within the network to benefit from the network’s coordinated services, hospital officials said.

Providers in the NHRMC Physician Group are linked to more than 1,400 doctors and 33 health systems through Carolina’s Physician Network, hospital officials said.

There will be no change in office locations and patients will now have access in six areas including Wilmington, Southport, Hampstead, Whiteville and Supply.

– Additional reporting by Sarah Maultsby.