CARE WITHOUT COMPROMISE
Story by Ann E. Butenas
Healient Physician Group at St. Joseph Medical Center maintains independence to deliver patient-centered cardiac care.
In an era when most cardiology practices have been absorbed into massive hospital systems, Healient Physician Group at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri, stands apart. Founded in 2013, this independent practice of six cardiologists, one interventional radiologist, and one wound care specialist has built its reputation on a simple but increasingly rare promise: patients get the care they need, when they need it.
“Our mission is to treat patients the way we’d want our own families treated,” explained Dr. Gerald Mancuso, one of the founding cardiologists. It’s a philosophy that permeates every aspect of their practice from the moment a patient calls to schedule an appointment through follow-up care years later.
The Road to Independence
The practice emerged during a tumultuous period in American healthcare. Changes in healthcare policy around 2010 dramatically altered reimbursement structures for cardiac imaging, creating financial pressures that forced most cardiology groups to sell to hospital systems or close their doors. Rather than surrender their autonomy, a group of established physicians chose a different path.
“We all had established practices and had been partners for years” Dr. Mancuso recalled. “We wanted to remain independent and autonomous. We knew we would win if we could deliver better care to patients and referring doctors. In partnership with St. Joseph Medical Center, who supports our mission, the practice, hospital and our patients are winning,” he concluded.
The group’s unique composition, combining cardiology, interventional radiology, and wound care, isn’t random. It’s strategically designed around the interconnected nature of vascular disease. Patients with coronary disease often have peripheral vascular disease. Those with wounds frequently have underlying vascular issues. By housing these specialties under one roof, the practice can provide comprehensive vascular care without shuttling patients between different locations and providers.
Access When It Matters
In today’s healthcare landscape, waiting weeks or months for an appointment has become frustratingly common. Healient Physician Group operates differently. If a patient needs to be seen, they’ll be seen that day or the next. If someone needs a diagnostic study at 5:00 p.m., the staff will stay to accommodate them.
“Chest pain can’t wait. It can’t wait a week,” Dr. Mancuso emphasized. “We work with people because we believe patients deserve care when they need it.”
This commitment to accessibility extends beyond appointment availability. The practice’s phone system is designed with patient frustration in mind. “I want patients to talk to somebody on the phone after a click or two, not navigate through endless automated menus,” he said.
For patients traveling from the southern corridor of the Kansas City area, sometimes 60 to 90 miles away, this approach is particularly valuable. The practice makes every effort to complete necessary testing during a single visit, sparing patients the burden of multiple long drives.
“When you come see us, we’re going to do your tests and you are going to walk out with an answer.”
– Dr. Mancuso
Comprehensive Care Under One Roof
One of the practice’s distinguishing features is its one-stop-shop model. All cardiac imaging is performed in-house, eliminating the need for patients to schedule separate appointments at different facilities. More importantly, results are available immediately.
“When you come see us, we’re going to do your tests and you’re going to walk out with an answer,” Dr. Mancuso explained. “You’ll see me and get your results the same day.”
This immediate feedback loop reduces patient anxiety and allows for faster treatment decisions. Rather than waiting days for results to be posted to an online portal, patients receive personal attention and clear explanations of their test findings before they leave.
The practice offers the full spectrum of cardiac testing, from stress tests and echocardiograms to nuclear imaging and coronary calcium scoring. Their interventional radiologist provides advanced peripheral vascular interventions, while their wound care specialist, whom Dr, Mancuso described as one of the busiest in the city, addresses complex healing issues often related to vascular disease.
Continuity of Care
Many large cardiology groups operate on a rotating schedule where physicians spend one week in the catheterization lab, another week in clinic, and another in the hospital. Healient Physician Group deliberately pivoted from this model.
“We do everything every day,” Dr. Mancuso explained. “We do procedures, rounds in the hospital, and see patients in clinic. We try to take care of our own patients. Ninety percent of the time, you’re going to see your own doctor back, not a nurse practitioner or another physician.”
This continuity creates lasting relationships. Some patients have been with the practice since its inception, and Dr. Mancuso still follows patients whom he placed some of the very first coronary stents three decades ago.
The practice’s staff longevity reinforces this continuity. Front desk personnel, nurses, and imaging technicians have been with the group for 15 to 20 years or more. This stability creates a welcoming environment where longtime patients are greeted by familiar faces. In short, it feels like family here.
A Culture of Partnership
What makes a group of independent physicians stick together for over a decade without a single doctor leaving? According to Dr. Mancuso, it comes down to shared values and respect.
This trust extends to clinical autonomy. Each physician maintains control over patient care decisions. Partners collaborate on complex cases, leveraging each other’s expertise to deliver optimal outcomes.
Dr. Mancuso described his partners with genuine admiration.
“We’ve got really talented people,” he indicated. “Our interventional radiologist is exceptional with peripheral vessels. Our wound care specialist is the most sought-after in the city. All my cardiology partners are excellent.”
The Personal Touch
Despite the demands of modern cardiology, the practice maintains a commitment to personal care that seems increasingly rare. Dr. Mancuso personally calls patients with test results, particularly for nuclear stress tests that require processing time. He’s also been known to give his cell phone number to patients who need direct access.
“I tell them to call my cell phone,” he said. “Over the years, many patients have it. They respect it and don’t abuse it. If I get a call, I know something’s up.”
This willingness to be accessible stems from understanding the anxiety that accompanies cardiac symptoms and testing.
“Heart disease can be very scary,” Dr. Mancuso acknowledged. “We’re trying to reassure patients that we’re going to take care of the problem, that we’re going to fix it if there’s an issue.”
Looking Forward
As Dr. Mancuso approaches the later years of his career, his satisfaction with the practice is evident. When asked why he’s still working, he cites three reasons: he doesn’t golf, his patients have become friends over three decades, and he hopes to pass the torch to his son, currently completing a cardiology fellowship.
“It’s been a great career,” he reflected. “Healient has been the most rewarding part of my career.”
For patients seeking cardiac care in the Kansas City area, Healient Physician Group at St. Joseph Medical Center offers something increasingly difficult to find: independent physicians who control their own practice, prioritize patient access, provide comprehensive care under one roof, and maintain the kind of doctor-patient relationships that once defined medicine.
In an age of corporate consolidation and assembly-line healthcare, they prove that another model is possible, one where patient care truly comes first.
For more information on Healient Physician Group
at St. Joseph Medical Center visit
https://healient.com/ or call 913-956-2250
