Day 2: Losing hearts brings worries to WakeMed

2009

Dec. 7: Wake Heart cardiology practice signs an agreement to negotiate exclusively with WakeMed.

2010

June 15: Rex applies to the state to build a heart center to consolidate its services in a five-story tower.
Aug. 20: Wake Heart doctors send a letter to WakeMed administrators saying they want to be relieved of their non-disclosure agreement.
Late August: Wake Heart doctor talks with Rex Hospital CEO David Strong about the possibility that Wake Heart could affiliate with Rex and UNC.
Sept. 7: A Wake Heart doctor tells a WakeMed administrator that Wake Heart has decided to remain independent.
Sept. 13: Rex officials hold their first negotiation meeting with Wake Heart doctors.
Sept. 28: Wake Heart strikes a tentative deal with UNC/Rex.
Oct. 12: Wake Heart doctors meet with Rex and UNC officials over dinner at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse.
Oct. 15: Wake Heart partners meet with WakeMed board members Tom Oxholm and Billie Redmond and give them a copy of a news release announcing their partnership with UNC and Rex. Media are alerted the same day.
Oct. 29: The state approves Rex’s application for a heart center.
Nov. 29: WakeMed appeals Rex’s approval.

2011

April 15: Rex revises its application for a larger heart center, which will include operating rooms, beds and an emergency department focused on treating heart patients. Wake Heart doctors submit letters in support.
June 20: The state holds public hearings on Rex’s new patient tower. Michael Zellinger, managing partner for Wake Heart, says that Wake Heart has already shifted, and will continue to shift, its patients from WakeMed to Rex in the coming years.
Sept. 27: Regulators approve Rex’s request to expand cardiovascular services and build a 50-bed hospital in Holly Springs. WakeMed appeals.