VOLUME II, ISSUE 2

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E

ST. CLAIR’S FAMILY BIRTH CENTER

HELP FOR POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION

ASK THE DOCTOR

HEART PATIENT PROFILE

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

NEW PETERS TOWNSHIP OUTPATIENT CENTER

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

VOLUME III, ISSUE 1

St. Clair Hospital Cardiovascular Services uses a multidisciplinary team of caregivers

to deliver advanced cardiac care that not only rivals the cardiovascular services

found at the largest hospitals in Pittsburgh, but those across the country.

This story focuses on four of our interventional cardiologists, heart doctors who

diagnose and treat structural diseases of the heart using cardiac catheterization, where a

thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put into a blood vessel in the wrist, upper thigh, or

neck, and a very fine wire is threaded into the heart. Through the catheter, doctors can

perform diagnostic tests and treatments on the heart. They can also remove clots from

coronary arteries, and insert balloons and stents into an artery to restore heart function.

These four cardiologists and their colleagues treat more heart attack victims with

interventional procedures than any other single hospital in southwestern Pennsylvania,

with outcomes that far exceed national averages.

Moreover, St. Clair cardiologists are widely recognized for superior treatment times

for heart attack victims arriving at our Emergency Department, resulting in better

outcomes than some of the most recognized hospitals in the United States.

The Hospital’s ren owned “Door-to-Balloon” team consistently ranks first for its

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St. Clair Hospital MRI Center is now

home to the area’s most technologically

advanced MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

equipment. The Hospital recently installed a

new state-of-the-art GE Optima 450 wide

bore MRI scanner at the Broughton Road

facility in Bethel Park.

“The new MRI is much faster, thereby

decreasing the amount of time it takes to

complete the scan. With the wide bore

opening, the patient experience is greatly

enhanced, especially for those who can

become claustrophobic,” says Dr. Donald

Orr, Chairman of the Department of Medical

Imaging. “Most importantly, it’s a very

sophisticated diagnostic tool providing

incomparable imaging results.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

Meet Some of St.Clair’s Top Heart DoctorsEART STRONG

LEADING TEC NNOLOGYNew MRI Equipment Arrivesat Bethel Park Facility

SM

DR. JEFFREY FRIEDEL, DR. ADIL WAHEED, DR. JOHN GIROD and DR. RYAN ZUZEK.

Pictured are four members of our interventional cardiology team:

EART STRONGCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Door-to-Balloon time, a key measurement in emergency cardiac

care in the treatment of heart attacks. The ideal treatment

time for a heart attack victim is less than 90 minutes from the

time he or she enters the Emergency Department door to the

time an angioplasty balloon is inflated to unblock the artery.

These cutting-edge cardiologists conduct interventional

procedures that are minimally invasive—requiring only small

incisions and a catheter—but have maximum results.

Interventional procedures include right and left heart

catheterizations, coronary stent implants, permanent

pacemaker insertions, diagnostic peripheral angiograms,

peripheral stent insertions, and more.

They perform all of these procedures 24 hours a day,

seven days a week for scheduled and emergency cardiac

care, seamlessly delivered with St. Clair's longtime

reputation for quality, compassionate, personalized care.

Soon, St. Clair will be adding a third suite to its Cath Lab

to accommodate the program’s growth and to allow our

cardiologists to conduct more extensive procedures.

Features of the third suite include dual imaging, which

allows the cardiologists to image the heart and circulatory

system without moving patients to another room or position

on the table. The suite’s larger imaging camera will help

the doctors visualize a wider portion of the abdomen and

legs, reducing the need for additional x-rays and contrast

dye. Enhanced technology and high-definition monitors will

give the cardiologists the sharpest images available in

the industry.

The physicians highlighted in the following stories are

just some of the outstanding St.Clair doctors who deliver

these state-of-the-art cardiovascular procedures, all of

which are designed to help southwestern Pennsylvania

residents prevent, diagnose, treat and recover from

cardiovascular diseases.

2

A n e w s u i t e w i l l e x p a n d e l e c t r o p h y s i o l o g y a n d a b l a t i o n ,

Dr.Girod describesintravascular ultrasound orIVUS-guided stenting and FFR, orFractional Flow Reserve, asleading-edge technology.

"IVUS and FFR make assessingblockages much more objectiveand accurate than an angiogram,with better outcomes and a moreaccurate diagnosis," he says.

IVUS is a medical imagingmethod that uses a specially designed catheter with a miniaturizedultrasound probe attached to the end. The other end of thecatheter is attached to ultrasound equipment. The ultrasoundallows cardiologists to see inside the blood vessels of the heart todetermine the amount of plaque built up, which cannot be seen byangiography, an x-ray examination that uses a special dye.

"IVUS improves outcomes by allowing physicians to preciselysize a blood vessel, to pick the size of the stent (small metaltubes used to prop open blocked vessels) for the best "fit"possible, decreasing the risk of complication and renarrowing,"Dr. Girod explains.

He says IVUS can also help determine which patients arevulnerable to heart attacks and “sudden death” by determining thevolume of plaque “hidden” in the walls of arteries.

Recent research has revealed that most heart attacks arecaused by plaque within the artery wall and not as a result ofnarrowing in the artery opening.

Dr. Girod says FFR is a technique that accurately measuresblood flow through a narrowed portion of a coronary artery, andgives the cardiologist a clearer picture of the best course oftreatment for a blockage.

“FFR takes out the subjectivity by allowing for precisemeasurement in real time of the significance of a specificblockage,” he says.

Dr. Girod notes that IVUS and FFR produce volumes of helpfuldata to a cardiologist and it’s all accomplished through small holesin the skin. “Everything we do is percutaneous. So it's notconsidered surgery. It's interventional cardiology."

JOHN (JACK) P. GIROD, D.O.

HOUSECALL ASKED EACH OF THE FOLLOWING INTERVENTIONALCARDIOLOGISTS TO DISCUSS A SPECIFIC PROCEDURE IN DETAIL.

Dr. Girod earned his medical degree at the Philadelphia College ofOsteopathic Medicine. He completed an internal medicine residency atthe Cleveland Clinic, as well as a cardiovascular medicine fellowship andan interventional cardiology fellowship at the University of PittsburghMedical Center. He is board certified in interventional and generalcardiology. Dr. Girod practices with South Hills Cardiology Associates.

3CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

Like his fellow interventionalcardiologists, Dr. Waheed iskeenly focused on staying abreastof andlearningthenewest proceduresin interventional cardiology.

One of the latest procedureshe began performing at St. Clairis the use of the Impella LVAD(Left Ventricular Assist Device).

A minimally invasive device,the Impella 2.5 helps fragile hearts

pump blood out of the heart and through the body. The device isinserted through a small artery puncture and is fed into the leftventricle of the heart. It can pump up to 2.5 liters of blood per minute.

"We are trained in the newer procedures, techniques, and newgeneration devices, including the Impella LVAD, which can supportthe heart in case of left ventricle failure," says Dr. Waheed.

He says this new device revolutionizes heart procedures forpatients whose hearts are often too weak to withstand a cardiaccatheterization procedure—such as angioplasty, a procedure inwhich a tiny balloon is inflated to clear blockages in cardiac vessels.

Dr. Waheed says St. Clair is one of the first hospitals in thegreater Pittsburgh area to use the Impella device, serving as anotherexample of St. Clair's leading position in heart care.

Dr. Zuzek, who started atSt. Clair in July, is the newestmember of the interventionalcardiology team.

While Dr. Zuzek performscardiac catheterizations, he alsois an expert in diagnosing andtreating peripheral arterialdisease (PAD), which involvesobstruction of large arterieslocated outside of the heart,

primarily in the lower extremities. “Claudication (leg weakness from circulation abnormalities) and

pain in the legs frequently are misdiagnosed as arthritis,” he says.“That’s due, in part, to the fact that about 50 percent of patients withmild forms of PAD do not demonstrate any telltale or obvioussymptoms, which include sores, wounds or ulcers, blue or paleskin tone, diminished hair and nail growth, among others.”

Patients suspected of having PAD often undergo a non-invasivetest to determine if blood pressure readings in the ankles are lowerthan that in the arms. If that is the case, it’s likely there is a blockageor blockages in the arteries that feed blood all the way to the ankles.

That test is often followed by an ultrasound exam to try tonarrow down the location and extent of the blockages. Manypatients with PAD can be treated with medications and anexercise regimen. However, intervention is often prescribed forthose suffering with severe symptoms.

Dr. Zuzek says the gold standard for diagnosing PAD isangiography, in which a catheter is placed in an artery, a dye isinjected, and the blockage is detected on an x-ray.

Once the blockage is pinpointed, Dr. Zuzek can remove it usinga rotating cutting blade inserted through a catheter, or by inflatinga tiny balloon to reopen a blocked artery and keeping it openwith a stent.

Dr.Zuzek says the spectrum of cardiovascular and peripheralartery disease care and methods of treatments at St. Clair is on parwith any hospital in the city. "We are dedicated to staying current onthe latest trends in medicine. That's what we're here for. To provideoptimal, superb care and service."

RYAN ZUZEK, M.D.

i n t e r v e n t i o n a l r a d i o l o g y , c a r d i o l o g y , a n d s u r g i c a l c a p a b i l i t i e s .

ADIL WAHEED, D.O.

Dr. Waheed earned his medical degree at LECOM and completed hisresidency in internal medicine at St. Francis Medical Center in Pittsburgh.He completed a fellowship in cardiology and interventional cardiology atDeborah Heart and Lung Center, New Jersey. He is board certified incardiology and interventional cardiology. Dr. Waheed practices with USHeart and Vascular, P.C.

Dr. Zuzek earned his medical degree at the National University of Irelandin Galway. His postgraduate training includes a residency at the ClevelandClinic, where he later was an attending physician. He did a cardiology andinterventional cardiology fellowship at Brown University hospitals inProvidence, R.I. Dr. Zuzek is board certified in internal medicine, generalcardiology, interventional, and nuclear cardiology. He practices with USHeart and Vascular, P.C.

We are dedicated to

staying current on the

latest trends in medicine.

That's what we're here for.

To provide optimal, superb

care and service.–Ryan Zuzek, M.D.

“

”

Committed to Delivering Exceptional Ob

St. Clair’s birthing facility features comfortable,

private birthing accommodations, state-of-the-art

medical equipment and around-the-clock pain

management. To support its commitment to

family-centered care, the Hospital also offers sleeping

accommodations for mothers’ partners, a convenient

dining concierge service and unique “couplet” care,

in which one nurse cares for both the mother and her

baby, providing maximum post-delivery support and

bonding.

Mothers wishing to breastfeed enjoy the benefits of

St. Clair’s on-site Lactation Center coordinated by a

certified lactation consultant. Assistance is available

With more than 1,400 births annually, St. Clair

Hospital offers a comprehensive array of

specialized services to make each woman’s birthing

experience as safe, comfortable and special as possible.

With a belief that knowledge and education are vital

ingredients in maintaining health and wellness, the

Hospital’s Center for Women and Children offers a

variety of educational programs designed to meet every

family’s health care needs. New and expectant parents

can benefit from the Hospital’s childbirth series, which

includes information on baby care, childbirth preparation,

labor and delivery, breastfeeding, and infant and child

CPR. A grandparents class, siblings class and Family

Birth Center tour are also available.

St. Clair’s outpatient services for women include

a new OB/GYN Ultrasound Suite that features one of

the region’s most sophisticated ultrasound systems

available today. The new technology gives expectant

parents an amazing first look at their baby utilizing 4D

(or real-time 3D) imaging technology and provides the

utmost in peace of mind.STEPHANIE BROWN, M.D., obstetrician/gynecologist, welcomes a new addition to the St. Clair Family Birth Center.

4

“ W h a t m a k e s S t . C l a i r u n i q u e i s i t s a b i l i t y t o

Obstetric Care

throughout the prenatal period, as well as during and following a

woman’s hospital stay. Lactation services include personal and

private consultations.

St. Clair provides 24-hour, in-house pediatric coverage for

premature or ill babies. The Hospital’s Level II Special Care

Nursery (SCN) is specifically designed and equipped to meet the

special needs of babies requiring additional care. St. Clair’s

in-house, board-certified pediatric hospitalists work closely with

each baby’s pediatrician to develop the most personalized and

appropriate plan of care for each infant.

“What makes St. Clair unique is its ability to care for each

patient as an individual and, therefore, make her delivery as

meaningful and special as possible,” says Terry Fulcher,

managing director, Women & Children’s Services. “Our dedicated

team of board-certified obstetricians and registered nurses

continually provide high quality obstetric care in a compassionate

and personalized approach that is unique, supportive

and sincere.”

St. Clair’s exceptional

obstetric care, unparalleled

commitment to families and

dedicated attention to personalized

care has consistently resulted

in outstanding overall patient

satisfaction scores. With the

Hospital’s convenient location,

women are assured that they

will receive the highest quality

obstetric care close to home.

For more information about obstetricservices at St.Clair Hospital, please call412.942.5882 or visit www.stclair.org.

5CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

c a r e f o r e a c h p a t i e n t a s a n i n d i v i d u a l . ”

T E R R Y F U L C H E R , M A N A G I N G D I R E C T O R

W O M E N & C H I L D R E N ’ S S E R V I C E S

Postpartum DepressionFinding Help, Hope andSupport at St.Clair

November 2, 2008, was one of Rachel Molinaro’shappiest days of her life. After conceiving

through in vitro fertilization (IVF), Rachel and her husband welcomed Sabella—a healthy baby daughter.But within just a few months, Rachel’s joy andexcitement quickly faded and were replaced withconstant crying, suicidal thoughts, intense anxietyand fear. Even worse, Rachel began regularlyexperiencing gruesome and disturbing hallucinations.

“I had a picture perfect pregnancy, labor anddelivery, and was excited to become a mom for thefirst time,” said Rachel. “So I was shocked when Ibegan having horrific visions of my house engulfedin flames or my daughter dying. It got so bad thatI was afraid to go into her room for fear that I’d findher dead.”

Physicians told Rachel she was sufferingfrom postpartum psychosis—an extreme form ofpostpartum depression. Affecting approximately15 percent of all women following the birth of achild, postpartum depression has many symptoms,including feeling sad or frequently depressed; aloss of interest in the baby; feelings of guilt,worthlessness or hopelessness; periods of cryingfor unknown reasons; fear of losing control or“going crazy”; and thoughts of harming oneselfor one’s baby.

RACHEL MOLINAROOBSTETRICS PRACTICES AT ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL

Patricia J. Bulseco, M.D., P.C. St. Clair Hospital 412.942.1866McMurray 724.941.1866

Zubritzky and Christy OB/GYN Associates St. Clair Hospital 412.942.1066Robinson 412.788.1330Kennedy 412.331.1623

South Hills OB/GYN Associates, Inc. St. Clair Hospital 412.572.6127

Sandor Mecs, M.D. St. Clair Hospital 412.561.4722Southside 412.488.8888

Arthur P. Signorella, M.D.St. Clair Hospital 412.572.6595

Bethel Facility Gets New MRI EquipmentCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Dr. Orr notes that it was just a year ago that St. Clair added a

new 64 slice CT (Computerized Tomography) scanner at the Hospital.

“The addition of the CT scanner and this new MRI has helped secure

St. Clair’s position as a leader in medical imaging.”

FEATURES OF THE NEWGE MRI SCANNER INCLUDE:

NEW WIDE BORE MRI AT ST. CLAIR’S MRI CENTER

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T h e m o s t a d v a n c e d M R I i n t h e a r e a i s n o w

• Ability to conduct breast MRI scans feet first,reducing the chance of claustrophobia

• A spacious, large wide bore opening whichprovides the ability to scan patients weighingup to 500 pounds

• Eight channel extremity coils for moredetailed images

• Improved MRA (Magnetic ResonanceAngiogram) vessel scanning without contrast

• Enhanced scanning software for patientswho move due to claustrophobia

• Advanced software that reduces examinationtime

• New high field magnet with the feeling ofan open scanner

To schedule an appointment for the newMRI scanner, please call 412.942.8150.

DONALD ORR, M.D.Dr. Orr earned his medical degree andcompleted his residency at the University ofPittsburgh School of Medicine. He completedhis fellowship at the American Collegeof Radiology and is board certified in radiology.Dr. Orr is chairman of the St. Clair HospitalMedical Imaging Department and practiceswith South Hills Radiology Associates.

Q:What is nuclear medicine?

A: Nuclear medicine is a distinctive branch of diagnosticimaging that not only deals with human anatomic detail,but also with organ function and disease treatment. Otherimaging techniques such as standard x-rays, ultrasound,CT and MRI help in diagnosing diseases primarily by detecting changes in your body. A typical nuclear medicine procedure consists of administering

a small amount of a radioactive substance (radiopharmaceutical)

to a patient, waiting a period of time, then scanning the patient

on a table with an ultrasensitive camera, creating a diagnostic

image. Most studies are performed with an intravenous

injection, although some require oral ingestion or inhalation of

the radiopharmaceutical. The dose of radiation the patient

receives is similar to routine x-ray and CT examinations.

There are a wide variety of nuclear medicine applications.

A lung scan is used primarily to diagnose a blood clot within the

lungs (pulmonary embolism). Heart scans help in detection

of decreased blood supply to the heart (coronary artery

disease) as well as determining how well the heart contracts.

Within the digestive tract, there are many applications. One

study determines how well the stomach empties after a meal.

Another exam assesses gallbladder function, including whether

or not it is acutely inflamed, or simply does not function well.

Those patients with abnormal function may benefit from surgery

even if they do not have gallstones. Tests are also available to

assess overall liver function as well as diagnose a site of acute

bleeding within the intestines. Bone scans detect abnormal

metabolic activity within the bones. This can be due to many

causes, including fracture, infection, arthritis and tumor.

Usually the diagnosis can be made by correlating the bone

scan findings with the patient’s clinical history, blood work, and

supplemental x-rays, CT or MRI scans. Special scans are also

available to detect infection in all parts of the body.

Imaging of the thyroid gland is unique in that it can be

scanned to assess for benign and malignant nodules, treat an

overactive gland, and be used in conjunction with surgery to

treat and monitor thyroid cancer patients.

PET (positron emission tomography) scanning is a widely

utilized and popular state-of-the-art nuclear medicine study.

It is used in conjunction with CT scan imaging to evaluate tumors

in cancer patients and assess response to therapy. Oftentimes

patients with little change of tumor size on CT will show

marked improvement on the PET images, demonstrating a

good response to therapy that would not otherwise be

appreciated. The scan allows evaluation of the entire body in a

single study. Occasionally PET scans are utilized in heart disease

patients to see if they might benefit from bypass surgery. PET

scans are also sometimes used to aid in diagnosis of Alzheimer’s

disease in select patients.

The future of nuclear medicine includes continued

improvement in PET diagnostic imaging as well as potential

therapeutic applications.

a v a i l a b l e a t S t . C l a i r ’ s B e t h e l P a r k f a c i l i t y .

Dr. Palko is a staff radiologist at St. Clair Hospital. He earned hismedical degree at the University of Pittsburgh and completed hisresidency in diagnostic radiology at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh.He is board certified by the American Board of Radiology.

7

ASK THE DOCTOR

DAVID B. PALKO, M.D.

At 6 foot 4 inches tall, Brian Parrish

doesn’t scare easily. But he was pretty

shaken by an unexpected visit to a hospital

emergency room

during his vacation

to Aruba with friends

last fall.

Brian, age 50, arrived

on the Caribbean island

feeling tired, but chalked

it up to a long plane ride,

and felt fine after a night’s

rest. But the next day, he knew something was

wrong when, after a quick swim, he suddenly felt

ill. When he returned to his room, he felt the

pressure in his chest intensify. Alarmed, he alerted

the hotel staff and was taken to an area hospital.

Brian spent five days in an Aruba hospital that,

he said, didn’t quite meet the high standards he

had come to expect from hospitals back home in

the states. Among the many differences was the

dietary fare of two slices of white bread and juice

for each meal.

Concerned about his medical care, Brian was

anxious to return home to Pittsburgh for treatment.

Brian telephoned a friend, St. Clair Hospital

orthopedic surgeon Jon Tucker, M.D., who

quickly recommended St. Clair cardiologist

Jeffrey Friedel, M.D.

Within the hour, Dr. Friedel contacted Brian

and helped coordinate his care with the attending

physician in Aruba. Just hours after his flight

home, Brian came in for radial (through the wrist)

heart catheterization by Dr. Friedel. The procedure

revealed that Brian had a 99 percent blockage in his

descending artery. To clear the blockage, Dr. Friedel

inserted two stents in the arterial wall. Amazingly,

there was very little residual damage to Brian’s heart

muscle despite the attack—and no discomfort.

BRIAN PARRISH

“ P a t i e n t s a r r i v i n g w i t h a m a s s i v e h e a r t a t t a c k t o d a y

HEART PATIENT PROFILEBrian Parrish

H EART STRONG CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Dr. Friedel earned his medical degree at Pennsylvania State University College ofMedicine and completed his internship and residency at Allegheny General Hospital.He completed fellowships in interventional cardiology, cardiology and categoricalinternal medicine at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He is board certified incardiology. Dr. Friedel practices with South Hills Cardiology Associates.

Dr. Friedel is co-director of the CardiacCatheterization Lab at St.Clair, and directorof its Cardiac Rehabilitation Department.

He is a strong proponent and instructorof cardiac catheterizations done radially, orthrough the wrist, instead of through thefemoral artery in the upper thigh. Currently,only 1 percent of cardiac catheterizationsin the U.S. are done through the wrist.At St. Clair, the percentage of radial cathsperformed is much higher than the national

average. (Please see Heart Patient Profile at left.) All told, St. Claircardiologists perform more than 2,000 catheterizations each year.

"Radial caths are a bit more technically demanding, but are a good choicefor patients with advanced pulmonary disease or patients who are too ill to liedown for extended periods," Dr. Friedel says. "It's safer, there's less risk ofbleeding, and it's more comfortable for patients, who can go home an hourafter the procedure."

Dr. Friedel has been doing radial-style catheterizations for 10 years andpoints out that aside from the different access point into the body, radial andfemoral caths are very similar.

“Once the guide wire is inserted through the catheter to the heart, a dyeis injected into the arteries to help detect blockages and other abnormalities.If an angioplasty—in which a small balloon is inflated inside the artery tore-open any blockages—is deemed necessary, the balloon and any stentsneeded to prop open the artery are inserted right through a catheter in thewrist, just as it would be through the larger femoral artery.”

A recent story in The Wall Street Journal says positive results in anumber of studies on radial catheterizations have triggered a surge ofinterest in the technique across the U.S.

Dr. Friedel, who was featured in a KDKA-TV medical report on the radialmethod, says more and more cardiologists will be using the techniquein their respective cath labs.

“Heart catheterization patients like and appreciate any new techniquesthat can simplify an invasive medical procedure,” Dr. Friedel says. “And wecardiologists, of course, want our patients to have the latest and besttreatments available today.”

JEFFREY FRIEDEL, M.D.

8CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

9

c a n l e a v e t h e h o s p i t a l w i t h m i n i m a l h e a r t d a m a g e .”

J E F F R E Y F R I E D E L , M . D .

C O - D I R E C T O R , C A R D I A C C A T H E T E R I Z A T I O N L A B

While many heart ailmentscan be diagnosed and treatedthrough tiny slits in the wrist orupper thigh by St.Clair Hospital’steamof interventional cardiologists,some patients still requireopen chest (often called “openheart”) surgery.

Fortunately, St. ClairHospital offers some of the topcardiac surgeons in western

Pennsylvania. One of the most respected cardiac surgeonsis Dr. G. Frederick Woelfel.

Dr. Woelfel of Three Rivers Cardiac Institute has been thechief of cardiovascular surgery since the Heart Center at St.ClairHospital opened in April 1998.

Dr. Woelfel and his partners, Ross F. DiMarco, M.D., Alice M.Pierce, M.D., and Antonio Sortino, M.D., perform all proceduresinvolving coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and othersurgery to correct cardiac valve disease. Additionally, they insertcardiac pacemakers to treat abnormal heart rhythms.

Working with St. Clair's clinical cardiologists and theinterventional cardiology team ensures that heart surgerypatients enjoy an unmatched standard of surgical expertise andsuccessful outcomes.

Dr. Woelfel's patient readmission rate and patient length ofstay is the lowest in Allegheny County. He was recently issued aFive Star rating for coronary artery bypass grafting and valve surgeryby a leading independent health care ratings service. In 2010Dr. Woelfel was named one of the state's highest rankingphysicians in the number of open chest surgery cases and lowmortality rates.

With this record of success, Dr. Woelfel makes a clear casefor cardiac care at St. Clair. "Physicians at St. Clair have superiortraining and expertise. Moreover, St. Clair heart patients enjoymore streamlined, patient-centered care following surgery.Post-operative care here is outstanding," Dr. Woelfel says."Ourpatients stay in the same bed from Post-Op through recovery.All patient care is from the same team of nurses, and thenursing care is excellent."

G. FREDERICK WOELFEL, M.D.

Dr. Woelfel is a board-certified thoracic surgeon. He completed hisundergraduate studies at Duke University. He attended the Medical Collegeof Wisconsin and completed fellowships at University of Illinois MedicalSchool and University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He has been inprivate practice with Three Rivers Cardiac Institute, Inc. since 1986.

As a clinical cardiologist,Dr. Kaliman does not performcatheterizations like the fourpreceeding interventionalists,but will refer patients to theinterventionalists whenwarranted. He sees patients athis office on Brownsville Road inBrentwood for a range of heart-related concerns, includingcongenital heart disease, heart

failure, and irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia. His patientsrange in age from teenagers to senior citizens in their 90s.

Many heart patients with atrial fibrillation (abnormal heartrhythm) are prescribed the well-known drug Coumadin (genericname: warfarin) to thin their blood and prevent strokes andblood clots.

But there is a new anticoagulant on the market – Pradaxa(generic name: dabigatran)—that cardiologists, includingDr. Kaliman, have added to their arsenal.

HouseCall asked Dr. Kaliman to relate what he is telling hispatients about Pradaxa by posing a few questions to him aboutthe new drug.

Q: What are the advantages of Pradaxa?A: Pradaxa is taken twice a day. And unlike, Coumadin, there are

no dose adjustments and no blood work is needed. It is veryhelpful for patients who have a difficult time getting their bloodwork done for a variety of reasons, including transportationissues or severe illness. Pradaxa also has fewer interactionswith other medications.

Q: Are there any disadvantages?A: Pradaxa cannot be reversed as fast as Coumadin. However,

it does not last a very long time in the bloodstream afterpatients stop taking it. Pradaxa also can produce a little moreintestinal bleeding than Coumadin and it is not recommendedfor patients with moderate to severe renal failure.

Q: Do you envision Pradaxa being prescribed to patients following,for instance, hip or knee surgery, to prevent blood clots?

A: Right now, it is only FDA approved for atrial fibrillation withnon-valvular heart disease. Research is ongoing forother conditions.

EDWARD KALIMAN, M.D.

Dr. Kaliman completed his residency and a fellowship in invasive cardiologyand nuclear cardiology at Allegheny General Hospital, serving as attendingphysician for the heart transplant and heart failure team. He has beenaffiliated with St. Clair Hospital for more than two years and is boardcertified in cardiology.

W i t h s u p p o r t f r o m S t . C l a i r ’ s p o s t p a r t u m g r o u p ,

Postpartum DepressionCONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Rachel first tried medication to control her symptoms, but themedications prevented her from breastfeeding.

“That was the only special time I had with my daughter—freefrom my visions and uncontrollable feelings,” she said. “I couldn’t letthat time be taken away from me.”

Resolved to find another solution, Rachel began scouring theInternet for information about postpartum depression and locateda listing of area support groups, one of which was in the South Hills,provided by St. Clair Hospital. The Elizabeth Townshipresident was certain that St. Clair’s supportgroup was her only hope.

“I was afraid of what peoplewould think of me or that mybaby would be taken

away from me,” Rachel said. But after attending just one meeting—led by obstetric and mental health nurses—she felt a huge sense ofrelief. “The meeting was more of a ‘new mom rally’ than a support

group. I realized I wasn’t alone anymore and could be completelyhonest with my feelings and experiences. So many other newmoms were feeling the same emotions of sadness, anxiety,loneliness and fear.”

After more than a year of ongoing support from St.Clair Hospital, Rachel considers herself a new person andnew mother to her daughter.

“I honestly enjoy being a mother now,” she says.“St. Clair’s health care professionals taught meimportant coping strategies that have really workedfor me. I’m finally able to handle my life now andenjoy it fully.”

Rachel’s advice to all mothers is simple:“Be honest about your feelings and don’t keepthem hidden. Every new mother, regardless ofcircumstances, has bad days. But when thenumber of bad days surpasses the numberof good days, it’s time to seek help.”

St. Clair Hospital’s postpartumdepression support group is heldthe fourth Tuesday of each month,from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at Christ UnitedMethodist Church, Bethel Park.For more information, please call412.942.5882. Please visit www.stclair.org to watch Rachel’s story.

I enjoy being a mother now.

St. Clair’s health care professionals

taught me important coping strategies

that have really worked for me.

“”–Rachel Molinaro

RACHEL MOLINARO at home with her daughter, SABELLA.

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n e w m o m s c a n f i n d t h e h e l p t h e y n e e d t o c o p e .

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Heart Patient Profile: Brian ParrishCONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

HCOMMUNITY OUTREACAs part of its ongoing commitment to the community, St. Clair Hospital is partnering with area communityorganizations. The Hospital will highlight the good works of these non-profit partners in HouseCall. In this issuewe feature Angels’ Place and the Chartiers Valley Boys & Girls Club.

Angels’ Place, a non-profit organization committed to the belief that

every life is valuable, provides single parents who are full-time students

with the help needed to complete their education, enabling them to secure

employment and become self-sufficient citizens. Through accredited

childcare, individual counseling and support programs, Angels’ Place has

embodied the best practices of education, family and child development

for more than 27 years. With the help of a St. Clair Hospital donation,

Angels’ Place provides children a nurturing, safe and healthyenvironment.

For more information about Angels’ Place, to apply, to donate, or to

learn more about two of their upcoming events,

please visit www.angelsplacepgh.org or call

412.531.6667.

visitor to the Cardiac Rehab unit at St. Clair. Recently sidelined with

knee complications, he hopes to return soon.

“The staff there is great. The kindest, nicest, most professional

people I have ever worked with. They make you feel so welcome, and

explain every facet of your treatment. I look forward to

getting back.”

Brian, a self-described “Type A” and single dad of four, has a

full-time job for an energy company, and travels for business three to

five times a week. He also is a member of the Uniformed Division of

the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Reserves. “My kids tell me I’m always

going 100 miles an hour,” he admits.

“The funny thing is, I had a physical four months before my

heart attack. My overall blood levels were within the acceptable

range, and my blood pressure was normal, so I was shocked to have

experienced a heart attack,” he reflects.

Since that time, Brian has lost 40 pounds by “cleaning my house

out of good (tasting) food,” and focusing on eating smart: chicken,

fish, salads, and light on the carbs.

Brian has a vacation camp up north on the Allegheny River, in

Tidioute, Warren County, where he plans on going to read, fish and

just relax—a little closer to home this time.

“I couldn’t believe how fast the procedure was. There was only

a tiny incision on my wrist, and no pain at all. I was out (of the

Hospital) the next day by noon.”

“Dr. Friedel has a tremendous bedside manner, which is really

important when you’re facing heart issues,” he continues. “He made

me feel very confident in the procedure, which put me at ease.”

For several weeks after his procedure, Brian was a regular

DR. JEFFREY FRIEDEL with his patient BRIAN PARRISH.

The Chartiers Valley Boys & Girls Club is a non-profit organization

dedicated to promoting health, social, educational, vocational and

character development for boys and girls ages 6 through 18. Through

a donation, St. Clair Hospital is helping to promote after school

programs such as the Homework Power Hour, NFL Play 60 Challenge

and Dapper Dan Charities, which help to provide every child with the

essential tools needed for a successful and bright future. Having

taught skills, values and self-esteem to youth since 1931, the

Boys & Girls Club is committed to adapting its programs and services

to meet the needs of the children and families it serves. To learn

more, please visit www.bgcwpa.org

or call 412.276.3151.

ST. CLAIR HOSPITAL1000 Bower Hill RoadPittsburgh, PA 15243

ST. CLAIR HOSPITALGeneral & Patient Information 412.942.4000

Physician Referral Service 412.942.6560

Outpatient Center—Village Square 412.942.7100

Medical Imaging Scheduling 412.942.8150

www.stclair.org

Follow us on twitter at: www.twitter.com/stclairhospital

HouseCall is a publication of St. Clair Hospital. Articles are for

informational purposes and are not intended to serve as medical advice.

Please consult your personal physician.

VOLUME II, ISSUE 2

This architect’s rendering depicts the exterior view of St. Clair Hospital’s newest development, a two-story 40,000 square-foot

outpatient center along Route 19 in Peters Township, just south of Donaldson’s Crossroads. The new facility will provide more

convenient access to St. Clair physicians and services by placing them in one centralized location. Construction will commence this

summer with completion expected by mid-2012.

FUTURE OUTPATIENT CENTER IN PETERS TOWNSHIP

Dinner – Friday, July 15Golf Classic – Monday, July 18

For more information, call 412.942.2465.

SAVE THE DATES!