Better cardiac care in Bradford is just a heartbeat away.
That’s thanks to the addition of Dr. Steven Herrmann, Bradford
Regional Medical Center’s first cardiologist.
Herrmann, an interventional cardiologist, will lead the
cardiology center that is part of the $15 million renovation
currently under way.
The opportunity to head a center like BRMC’s – with the
administration’s commitment – lead Herrmann to take the
position.
“Bradford’s decisions made mine,” he said. The administrators
said, “This is your practice … what do you need to do your job.
That’s exactly what I wanted to hear.”
Herrmann, like most cardiologists, receives “hundreds of fliers”
from hospitals recruiting doctors. When he got one from Bradford,
he noticed something different.
“What struck me most was developing the program,” Herrmann said.
“This is the kind of opportunity that’s not out there much.”
“There’s no hidden agenda,” he said. “The administration is
clear, very sincere.”
There’s also a strong feeling of community, he said.
“In St. Louis, you don’t have that,” said Herrmann, who was
named one of the best doctors in St. Louis. The voting was done by
peers in the medical profession.
His wife, Gail, also had a good feeling about Bradford.
“For me that was it,” he said. “Everybody wants to do better.
They are not happy with the status quo.
“We’re all working for the same goal. You can’t do that alone if
you don’t get the support you need … everybody’s on the same wave
length.”
For Herrmann, that made all the difference in the world.
“It’s very refreshing, very exciting.”
Even though he does not start until January, Herrmann is already
planning what’s to come at BRMC.
“We will be on the cutting edge” of echocardiograms, he said.
“The potential is unlimited.”
A big part of his role in Bradford will be preventative
medicine, especially the treatment of hypertension, diabetes,
nicotine use and high cholesterol.
Herrmann said cardiac disease is “relatively high” in this area.
Working with patients to educate them is one of the top priorities
for him.
“Get to the patient before they need it. Prevent that first
heart attack.”
That includes working closely with primary care physicians.
“At the end of the day, it’s the primary care physicians and
patients that know more about (the patient’s health).”
Herrmann will also bring a high-tech stress test and angioplasty
procedure, which may be done in Bradford as early as 2007.
“We plan to hit the ground running,” he said.
Part of that is already taking place at BRMC with technicians
being trained to conduct the new tests.
These tests, for instance, will allow the doctor to see if an
artery is damaged and if a stent should be inserted.
Herrmann also said part of the appeal at BRMC is that his office
will be in the hospital, in close proximity to were the patients
are and where the tests are done.
“They are doing it right,” he said of the hospital
administration. “This is where we belong. I have not seen any
reason not to pursue this.”
Herrmann’s practice will be at the hospital – he will not have a
private practice.
This will allow him to concentrate on patient care and education
and not worry about running an office.
“I can focus time on what I need to do.”
Patients will be referred to Herrmann through their primary care
provider.
Herrmann’s hope for the future includes making BRMC the place to
be for health care.
“Improve the quality of services. No need to leave the
community.”
After years of teaching medical students, Herrmann will now
change his focus to teaching patients and colleagues.
He said he will not be one of the doctors who say “here are
eight pills, see you in eight months.”
“I will talk about why they are taking them, the side
effects.”
In November 2000, BRMC opened a new cardiac catheterization and
angioplasty suite.
Currently, cardiac care at BRMC is under the auspices of the
Hamot Heart Institute.
