Page 11 - Mecklenburg_Medicine_March-2016

At the Hospitals
n Two of the Nation’s Top
Cardiovascular Surgeons Choose
Carolinas HealthCare System
Carolinas HealthCare System has hired two
elite cardiovascular surgeons who will expand
both adult and pediatric specialized cardiovascular Medical Center, Carolinas HealthCare System
care within the System and deliver to patients of
all ages across the Carolinas the best cardiac care Pineville. McGinn earned his Bachelor of
available in the country.
Joseph T. McGinn, Jr., MD, assumes the
role of chief of thoracic and cardiovascular
surgery at Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute.
Dr. McGinn is known for pioneering minimally
invasive cardiac surgery, a procedure known
as the “McGinn Technique,” which has been
incorporated internationally as an alternative to
open-heart surgery.
Paul Kirshbom, MD, is considered to be one
of the preeminent congenital heart surgeons in
the country and will be leading the congenital
heart center at Levine Children’s Hospital. Dr.
Kirshbom brings an extensive background
in pediatric cardiovascular surgery from Yale
School of Medicine, where he was the first
chief to hold the title at both Yale-New Haven
Children’s Hospital and Connecticut Children’s
Medical Center in Hartford.
“Dr. McGinn’s extensive experience in the
field of cardiovascular surgery, together with his
proven commitment to constantly improving
heart care for patients, positions him for success
in his new role at Sanger,” says Paul Colavita,
MD, president of Sanger Heart & Vascular
Institute. “As we continue to evolve our program
to meet the growing needs of our patients, Dr.
McGinn’s leadership, innovation and talents will
be valuable assets to the team.”
“Since the opening of Levine Children’s
Hospital just eight years ago, creating a world-
class pediatric congenital heart program has
been, and continues to be, a goal we strive
towards every day,” says Callie Dobbins, vice
president and facility executive at Levine
Children’s Hospital. “With the arrival of Dr.
Kirshbom, our nationally ranked program will
continue to soar. We are thrilled to have him lead
our multi-disciplined, comprehensive team of
world-class surgeons to deliver the best care and
outcomes for children with heart disease.”
McGinn has assumed his role as chair of
the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular
Surgery. He leads Sanger Heart & Vascular
Institute’s cardiothoracic surgery group, which
consists of nationally recognized surgeons who
perform advanced procedures at Carolinas
NorthEast and Carolinas HealthCare System
Science degree in biology at St. Peters College
and received his Doctor of Medicine degree
at State University of New York Downstate
Medical Center, where he also completed his
residency in general surgery.
Kirshbom will assume his role as chief of
Pediatric Cardiovascular Surgery at Levine
Children’s Hospital beginning April 4. Kirshbom
earned his Bachelor of Science and Doctor
of Medicine degrees from Johns Hopkins
University. He completed his residency in general radiology and a triage room.
surgery at Duke University Medical Center
and completed fellowships in cardiothoracic
surgery and pediatric cardiothoracic surgery at
Duke University Medical Center and Children’s
Hospital of Philadelphia.
n Sanger Heart Transplant Survival
Rates Exceed National Average
New data from the Scientific Registry of
Transplant Recipients reveals Sanger Heart
& Vascular Institute’s transplant program
exceeds national one-year and three-year
survival rates.
Under the leadership of Sanjeev K. Gulati,
MD, Sanger’s one-year survival rate for
transplant patients is 94.9 percent, compared to
the national average of 90.4 percent. The three-
year survival rate is 95.7 percent, compared to
the national average of 84.3 percent.
Much of Sanger’s success can be attributed to
the growth of its Left Ventricular Assist Device
(LVAD) program over the past decade. A kind
of mechanical heart, the LVAD is implanted
inside a patient’s chest. It doesn’t replace the
heart; it helps the heart do its job.
“This new technology has helped our heart
failure patients tremendously,” says Dr. Gulati.
“It’s not only extending lives, but doing so more
comfortably and more reliably than ever before.
An LVAD helps restore normal heart function
for the patient. This allows them to not only
live longer but to feel more like they used to
and feel more a part of society. It can even let
the heart recover a bit by not taxing it so much. and improving the emergency department,
That’s big.”
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An LVAD can be permanent, but it also can
be used as a temporary device for those patients
waiting for a transplant. The transplant team
at Sanger recently performed five transplants,
implanted one LVAD and one total artificial
heart in just one week.
“I can’t say enough about the exceptional
team we have here,” says Gulati. “Being able
to pair innovative technology with exceptional
care is such a privilege.”
n New Urgent Care Opens
in Albemarle
Carolinas HealthCare System has opened
a new facility: Urgent Care-Albemarle.
The 5,021-square-foot urgent care facility
is at 703 Leonard Ave. and includes seven
exam rooms, two treatment rooms, space for
As part of Carolinas HealthCare System,
urgent care facilities are connected to the latest
technologies and medical advancements.
The new facility will provide a range of
services for urgent medical issues and general
illnesses and injuries, including treatment
for sore throats, earaches, bronchitis, colds
and flu, and upset stomach; care for cuts and
burns; treatment for minor injuries such as
sprains, strains and fractures; and physicals
for school sports, camp and work.
Carolinas HealthCare System Urgent
Care-Albemarle will be the System’s 26th
urgent care facility in North Carolina. CHS
also operates three dedicated children’s
urgent care facilities that are affiliated with
Levine Children’s Hospital.
n Stanly Regional Medical Center
Now Part of CHS Family
On January 1, Stanly Regional became
an official Carolinas HealthCare System
facility. Integration of Stanly Regional
Medical Center is the last phase of a
relationship that began in 2009, when CHS
and the former Stanly Health Services
formed a management services agreement.
Becoming a full part of CHS brings many
benefits to patients and employees. Over the
next 12 years, CHS will improve and enhance
patient-care services and facilities at Stanly
Regional. Projects include improving the
information technology system, expanding
upgrading patient rooms and developing an
urgent care center in Albemarle.