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  • November 20, 2017
    MedStar Southern Maryland Joins MHVI and Cleveland Clinic Alliance

    "MedStar Southern Maryland has evolved to become the ‘go-to’ cardiac and vascular center for the Southern Maryland peninsula."

    Clinton, Md., Nov. 27, 2017 - MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center (MSMHC) is proud to announce that it has joined the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute-Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute Alliance. Since 2013, Cleveland Clinic’s Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute and MedStar Heart &Vascular Institute (MHVI) have shared best practices related to patient care, outcomes measurement, quality reporting and clinical research. Physician teams from both organizations work together to accelerate improvements in heart care, research and to support even better patient outcomes. MedStar Southern Maryland now joins this collaborative exchange among leading heart care providers. Patients in southern Maryland will benefit from an exceptional and unmatched level of heart and vascular care. 

    “Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute, voted the best cardiovascular program in the country and arguably, one of the best programs in the world, has acknowledged the improvements in quality of cardiology care at MedStar Southern Maryland since MedStar Health took over the hospital, by allowing us to join this alliance,” said Mun K. Hong, MD, chairman of cardiology. “Physicians and the southern Maryland community can have confidence in our quality and can trust us with their cardiac care.”

    “MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute-Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Alliance brought together outstanding regional and national heart programs to further strengthen each organization,” said Christine R. Wray, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center President. “We are very pleased to join this team and are proud of the innovative program we have developed here, which includes two full-time cardiac interventionalists, an on-site vascular surgeon, vascular access surgeon, two electrophysiologists, and a fully staffed cardiac catheterization laboratory. This process has been years in the making and we are very proud to have accomplished this goal.”

    To become associated with Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute, a hospital must meet numerous national benchmarks and quality standards in cardiology, such as mortality and the median door-to-balloon time (the time between a heart attack patient’s hospital arrival to treatment with angioplasty to open a clogged artery). Members must commit to maintaining these standards, and Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute, in turn, is committed to sharing its experience and expertise to further improve the quality of care and patient safety at these hospitals.

    “This accomplishment is the result of a deliberate and focused journey by the MedStar Southern Maryland team working with MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute and Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute leadership to bring the portfolio of their cardiovascular services to the highest levels of quality and service. MedStar Southern Maryland has evolved to become the ‘go-to’ cardiac and vascular center for the Southern Maryland peninsula,” said Stuart F. Seides, MD, MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute’s physician executive director.  

    “Cardiovascular care is constantly advancing, and it’s important to be able to deliver these innovations to patients,” said Jeffrey Rich, MD, chairman of operations and strategy for Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute. “Adding MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center to this alliance will strengthen cardiovascular care in this region and provide patients with high-quality care.”

    About MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute:

    MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is a national leader in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons as one of the top cardiovascular programs in the nation. A network of 10 hospitals and 150 cardiovascular physicians throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia and the Greater Washington, D.C., region, MedStar Heart also offers a clinical and research alliance with Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute, the nation’s #1 heart program. Together, they have forged a relationship of shared expertise to enhance quality, improve safety and increase access to advanced services. MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute was founded at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, home to the Nancy and Harold Zirkin Heart & Vascular Hospital. Opened in July 2016, the hospital ushered in a new era of coordinated, centralized specialty care for patients with even the most complex heart and vascular diagnoses.

    About MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center:

    MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, located in Clinton, Maryland, is a 182-bed acute care hospital serving the Washington, D.C., metro and Southern Maryland area. The hospital is focused on caring for patients and their loved ones utilizing advanced technology under the guidance of expert clinicians. Quality, Safety, Wellness, and Patient Satisfaction are achieved through a spirit of patient-centered services that connect us to the community we serve.

    Cardiology Healthcare Industry

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  • June 07, 2018
    William O. Suddath, MD, Named Chairman of Cardiology

     Clinton, Maryland - MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is pleased to announce that William O. Suddath, MD, is the new Chairman of Cardiology and medical director of the cardiac catheterization laboratory at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center.

    Dr. Suddath is a highly experienced interventional cardiologist, having spent the last 22 years as an integral member of the renowned interventional cardiology team at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He is the program director for the interventional cardiology fellowship program which trains physicians in advanced cardiac catheterization skills. Dr. Suddath was instrumental in the start-up and growth of CodeHeart, our regional program which expedites the transport and treatment of heart attacks. Dr. Suddath is a Maryland native, and he has worked closely with southern Maryland physicians and EMS for over two decades.

    "Bill Suddath will be able to build on the outstanding work already underway by our MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center physicians, leadership, and staff," said Stuart F. Seides, MD, physician executive director, MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute. "His proven leadership skills and clinical expertise will be invaluable in his role as the new team leader for our cardiovascular colleagues practicing in this region."

    Earlier this year, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center was invited to join the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute-Cleveland Clinic alliance, after meeting the high-quality standards required of all members. This alliance between two nationally-recognized cardiac programs has accelerated improvements in heart care and research and resulted in even better outcomes for the patients served by the participating healthcare organizations.

    "We are very pleased that Dr. Suddath is taking the leadership role in cardiology at our hospital," said Dr. Chile Ahaghotu, Vice President for Medical Affairs, Medstar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. "He has an impeccable track record as a top notch clinician and teacher. His leadership will complement our unrelenting commitment to provide best-in-class cardiovascular services for the Southern Maryland community."

    Southern Maryland residents have local access to physicians who specialize in cardiology, interventional cardiology, cardiac electrophysiology (heart rhythm experts), vascular surgery and vascular access surgery at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center located in Clinton, Maryland and at MedStar clinical offices throughout the Southern Maryland peninsula.

    About MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
    MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, located in Clinton, Maryland, is a 182-bed acute care hospital serving the Washington, D.C., metro and Southern Maryland area. The hospital is focused on caring for patients and their loved ones utilizing advanced technology under the guidance of expert clinicians. Quality, Safety, Wellness, and Patient Satisfaction are achieved through a spirit of patient-centered services that connect us to the community we serve.

    About MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
    MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is a national leader in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. A network of 10 hospitals and 150 cardiovascular physicians throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia and the Greater Washington, D.C., region, MedStar Heart also offers a clinical and research alliance with Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute, the nation's #1 heart program. Together, they have forged a relationship of shared expertise to enhance quality, improve safety and increase access to advanced services. MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute was founded at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, home to the Nancy and Harold Zirkin Heart & Vascular Hospital. Opened in July 2016, the hospital ushered in a new era of coordinated, centralized specialty care for patients with even the most complex heart and vascular diagnoses.

    William O. Suddath, MD
    Heart Care Vascular
  • November 20, 2017
    MedStar Southern Maryland Joins MHVI and Cleveland Clinic Alliance

    "MedStar Southern Maryland has evolved to become the ‘go-to’ cardiac and vascular center for the Southern Maryland peninsula."

    Clinton, Md., Nov. 27, 2017 - MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center (MSMHC) is proud to announce that it has joined the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute-Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute Alliance. Since 2013, Cleveland Clinic’s Sydell and Arnold Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute and MedStar Heart &Vascular Institute (MHVI) have shared best practices related to patient care, outcomes measurement, quality reporting and clinical research. Physician teams from both organizations work together to accelerate improvements in heart care, research and to support even better patient outcomes. MedStar Southern Maryland now joins this collaborative exchange among leading heart care providers. Patients in southern Maryland will benefit from an exceptional and unmatched level of heart and vascular care. 

    “Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute, voted the best cardiovascular program in the country and arguably, one of the best programs in the world, has acknowledged the improvements in quality of cardiology care at MedStar Southern Maryland since MedStar Health took over the hospital, by allowing us to join this alliance,” said Mun K. Hong, MD, chairman of cardiology. “Physicians and the southern Maryland community can have confidence in our quality and can trust us with their cardiac care.”

    “MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute-Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Alliance brought together outstanding regional and national heart programs to further strengthen each organization,” said Christine R. Wray, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center President. “We are very pleased to join this team and are proud of the innovative program we have developed here, which includes two full-time cardiac interventionalists, an on-site vascular surgeon, vascular access surgeon, two electrophysiologists, and a fully staffed cardiac catheterization laboratory. This process has been years in the making and we are very proud to have accomplished this goal.”

    To become associated with Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute, a hospital must meet numerous national benchmarks and quality standards in cardiology, such as mortality and the median door-to-balloon time (the time between a heart attack patient’s hospital arrival to treatment with angioplasty to open a clogged artery). Members must commit to maintaining these standards, and Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute, in turn, is committed to sharing its experience and expertise to further improve the quality of care and patient safety at these hospitals.

    “This accomplishment is the result of a deliberate and focused journey by the MedStar Southern Maryland team working with MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute and Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute leadership to bring the portfolio of their cardiovascular services to the highest levels of quality and service. MedStar Southern Maryland has evolved to become the ‘go-to’ cardiac and vascular center for the Southern Maryland peninsula,” said Stuart F. Seides, MD, MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute’s physician executive director.  

    “Cardiovascular care is constantly advancing, and it’s important to be able to deliver these innovations to patients,” said Jeffrey Rich, MD, chairman of operations and strategy for Cleveland Clinic’s Heart & Vascular Institute. “Adding MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center to this alliance will strengthen cardiovascular care in this region and provide patients with high-quality care.”

    About MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute:

    MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is a national leader in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease, and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons as one of the top cardiovascular programs in the nation. A network of 10 hospitals and 150 cardiovascular physicians throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia and the Greater Washington, D.C., region, MedStar Heart also offers a clinical and research alliance with Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute, the nation’s #1 heart program. Together, they have forged a relationship of shared expertise to enhance quality, improve safety and increase access to advanced services. MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute was founded at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, home to the Nancy and Harold Zirkin Heart & Vascular Hospital. Opened in July 2016, the hospital ushered in a new era of coordinated, centralized specialty care for patients with even the most complex heart and vascular diagnoses.

    About MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center:

    MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, located in Clinton, Maryland, is a 182-bed acute care hospital serving the Washington, D.C., metro and Southern Maryland area. The hospital is focused on caring for patients and their loved ones utilizing advanced technology under the guidance of expert clinicians. Quality, Safety, Wellness, and Patient Satisfaction are achieved through a spirit of patient-centered services that connect us to the community we serve.

    Cardiology Healthcare Industry
  • October 09, 2017
    MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute Transforms Patient Experience
    New Radial Lounge at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital Optimizes Recovery Atmosphere
    Cardiology Innovation
  • August 22, 2017
    MedStar Southern Maryland Welcomes Cardiologist, Malik Al-Omari, MD

    MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center and MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute are pleased to announce that interventional cardiologist Dr. Malik Al-Omari will be joining doctors Hong, Thomaides and Lee. 

    The role of an interventional cardiologist is to intervene with heart complications to perform procedures such as angioplasties to open up arteries or veins, or to install stents, which are mesh wire tubes that keep blood vessels open. Without such intervention, artery blockages limit blood supply, which weakens heart muscles.

    As an Interventional Cardiologist, Dr. Malik Al-Omari will treat patients preventatively with procedures such as angioplasties and stent installations and will treat patients who have suffered heart attacks. Dr. Al-Omari will perform angioplasties, cardiac catheterization diagnostic procedures, stenting and Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) Tests.  He offers care and treatment for angina, aortic stenosis, atrial fibrillation, cardiopulmonary disease, coronary artery disease, heart attack, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and mitral valve stenosis.

    Dr. Al-Omari earned his medical degree at Jordan University of Science and Technology in his home country of Jordan and completed an internship at Princess Basma Teaching Hospital in Irbid, Jordan. He completed a Residency in Internal Medicine at Seton Hall University in New Jersey and a Residency in Nuclear Medicine at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He also completed a Fellowship in Heart Failure and Transplantation at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, a Fellowship in Cardiology at a Mayo Clinic Program in Florida and a Fellowship in Interventional Cardiology at the University of Tennessee Health Center.

    Prior to joining MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, Dr. Al-Omari worked as an interventional cardiologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He also served as an assistant professor of medicine at the Mayo College of Medicine and is the author of numerous peer reviewed articles. Dr. Al-Omari speaks Arabic and medical Spanish. 

    To make an appointment with Dr. Al-Omari or any member of the MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center and MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute’s cardiologist group, please call 301-877-5677.

    About MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center:

    MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, a 182-bed full-service hospital serving the Washington, D.C., metro and Southern Maryland areas, was founded in 1977 and joined MedStar Health in December 2012.  Throughout the hospital’s history, it has remained a community leader, a strong supporter of health care education and a dedicated advocate for quality health care services.

    About MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute:

    MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is a national leader in the research, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular disease. A network of 10 hospitals and 150 cardiovascular physicians throughout Maryland, Northern Virginia and the Greater Washington, D.C., region, MedStar Heart also offers a clinical and research alliance with Cleveland Clinic Heart & Vascular Institute, the nation’s #1 heart program. Together, they have forged a relationship of shared expertise to enhance quality, improve safety and increase access to advanced services. MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute was founded at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, home to the Nancy and Harold Zirkin Heart & Vascular Hospital. Opened in July 2016, the hospital ushered in a new era of coordinated, centralized specialty care for patients with even the most complex heart and vascular diagnoses. 

     

    Cardiology Heart Care
  • August 16, 2017
    MedStar Southern Maryland Named in U.S. News and World Report’s Best Hospitals, 2017

    MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center has been recognized in the most recent Best Hospitals issue of U.S. News & World Report. The hospital was ranked as high performing in the areas of urology, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) procedures, and heart failure procedures. 

    “We’re so proud of our mention in the 2017 Best Hospitals Edition of U.S. News & World Report,” said MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center President Christine Wray.  “We appreciate the special recognition of urology, COPD procedures, and heart failure procedures, as we have worked hard to develop these programs in Southern Maryland.”

    Several MedStar hospitals earned recognition on the 2017 list. 

    In the Washington, D.C., region, three facilities were recognized:

    • MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
    • MedStar Washington Hospital Center
    • MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center

    In Maryland, five facilities were recognized: 

    • MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
    • MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
    • MedStar Harbor Hospital
    • MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
    • MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center

    Throughout the years, MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center has been recognized nationally and regionally for its clinical and operational excellence many times. Read more about some of the hospital's most recent awards.

    About MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center:

    MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, a 182-bed full-service hospital serving the Washington, D.C., metro and Southern Maryland areas, was founded in 1977 and joined MedStar Health in December 2012.  Throughout the hospital’s history, it has remained a community leader, a strong supporter of health care education and a dedicated advocate for quality health care services.

    Healthcare Industry Heart Care
  • June 30, 2017
    What Is Atrial Fibrillation and Can It Be Prevented?

    By: Sung W. Lee, MD, Department of Cardiology

    Atrial Fibrillation is the technical term for irregular heartbeat caused by malfunctioning electrical impulses in the heart. It is the most common heart rhythm problem, affecting more than three million Americans, and is on the rise in the United States and in this area.

    Controlling high blood pressure, maintaining a healthy weight and treating sleep apnea are all ways to help prevent Atrial Fibrillation. If a patient does develop this chronic condition, Dr. Lee identifies the following three treatment pillars for Atrial Fibrillation:

    Stroke Prevention

    Using anticoagulants, or blood-thinning drugs, can prevent strokes. In more serious cases, implanting a device called a Watchman Closure prevents blood clots from entering the bloodstream and causing a stroke.

    Heart Rate Control

    Medications and/or implanted pacemakers can regulate heartbeats and keep hearts functioning effectively. Many pacemaker implantations occur here at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center, as a part of the MedStar system and the MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute’s shared commitment to bring top-of-the-line care to the residents of southern Maryland.

    Rhythm Control

    Medications and/or minimally-invasive catheter ablations, which are procedures to burn or freeze the tissue that causes Atrial Fibrillation, have good success rates with a low occurrence of complications. MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is one of the highest volume arrhythmia treatment centers in the country, offering the most sophisticated diagnostic tools and advanced treatment options. Our experts include board-certified, nationally recognized arrhythmia specialists who offer a team-based approach, collaborating with over 140 other cardiac specialists throughout our system to ensure that we provide a comprehensive, individualized treatment plan that’s right for you.

    Heart Care Vascular

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