News Release: Devember 3, 1997

Albuquerque, NM - Presbyterian Healthcare Services has hired Paul T. Cochran, M.D., as the Director for Presbyterian's Heart Program. Dr. Cochran will be responsible for the quality of cardiovascular services received at Presbyterian. He will serve as the physician liaison, working with the various teams of physicians, nurses, paramedics and technicians to ensure the coordination of patient care. A cardiologist, Dr. Cochran will continue his active medical practice with Presbyterian.

"I am solely committed to the belief that our community has benefited enormously from the superb Heart Program currently at Presbyterian. We are in a period of time that has created enormous tension for doctors, patients and hospital systems. Providing quality, comprehensive heart care is best handled through a community based not-for-profit system such as Presbyterian," said Dr. Cochran.

Since 1980, Dr. Cochran had practiced at Southwest Cardiology Associates. Dr. Cochran attended Medical School at Case Western Reserve, completed his Internal Medicine residency at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and did his Cardiology Fellowship at Georgetown Medical Center. He served with the cardiology staff at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington DC. He then came to the University of New Mexico Medical School faculty in 1972. As a clinical professor of medicine at UNM, Dr. Cochran continues to teach medical students through his clinical practice.

Dr. Cochran has served as the president of the Bernalillo County Medical Association, a councilor of the New Mexico Medical Society, president of the New Mexico Affiliate of the American Heart Association and governor for the New Mexico chapter of the American College of Cardiology.

Presbyterian Heart Program has been in existence since 1970 and currently ranks among the top 5% in the nation for volumes and quality outcomes of heart care. Providing the most comprehensive heart care in the state, Presbyterian Heart Program provides adult, pediatric and transplant care; rehabilitation and cardiovascular laboratory services. The Heart Program is owned by Presbyterian Healthcare Services, the state's largest not-for-profit healthcare delivery organization.