Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute Announces South Region Clinical and Administrative Leaders

November 4, 2021 | 2 min. to read

As clinical programs and cardiovascular services expand across Northwestern Medicine, Palos Hospital and Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute share the following clinical and administrative leadership updates.

R Kannan Mutharasan, MD, has assumed a regional leadership role as medical director of Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute South Region, effective October 1. In collaboration with Palos Hospital and Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute leadership, Dr. Mutharasan will oversee the operation of clinical services and execute a strategic plan for ongoing growth in the South Region.

Before assuming this role, Dr. Mutharasan led the development of the Heart Failure Bridge and Transition Team at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which served as a model for all NM regions to improve care transitions and reduce heart failure readmissions. These efforts resulted in recognition by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for NMH as top 10 in the nation for heart failure survival. Dr. Mutharasan is an exceptional clinician with a special interest in heart failure, an accomplished researcher who has led artificial intelligence projects, and a well-regarded administrative leader who is currently obtaining a Master of Business Administration from Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

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Anny Sandoval, MSN, RN, MBA, also joins the South Region as director of Operations, Cardiovascular Services, Palos Hospital, and Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute South Region administrative director, forming a dyad leadership team with Dr. Mutharasan. A part of NM since 2008, Sandoval has extensive experience in managing complex operations.

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Surendra B. Avula, MD, has assumed the role of medical director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Palos Hospital, effective October 1. Dr. Avula’s immediate focus will be collaborating with the quality team, focusing on metrics to drive improvement in patient outcomes and expanding the interventional and structural heart disease programs at Palos Hospital.
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Dr. Avula has been in practice in the south suburbs of Chicago for more than 25 years, and had served as director of the catheterization lab at Advocate Christ Medical Center since 2006. His leadership will help maintain the excellence of the cath lab at Palos Hospital.

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Albert C. Lin, MD, assumed responsibility as director of electrophysiology (EP) network development, effective September 1. Dr. Lin will collaborate with regional EP lab directors and regional medical and administrative directors to achieve uniformity in EP services and quality, and ease further adoption of new technologies to drive growth and research expansion.
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Dr. Lin has played an integral role in expanding complex EP services across NM, particularly with breakthrough ablation technology and left atrial appendage closure. Dr. Lin brings this expertise to the South Region in his expanded role.

With the expected increase in patient visits in the South Region, new space is planned to create a Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute Outpatient Clinic that will be accessible from the lobby of Palos Hospital.
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“We are excited to expand cardiovascular care services in the South Region,” says Patrick M. McCarthy, MD, executive director of Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute. “The new outpatient clinic, along with putting the right team in place, supports our Patients First value.”
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The clinic will include patient exam rooms, a waiting area, diagnostic testing, and dedicated workrooms for physicians and staff. It is tentatively planned to open in 2022.

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