ST. MARYS — Dr. Robert J. Schmidt, M.D., has announced his December 2017 recertification as a Diplomate of the American Board of Clinical Lipidology.

This certification demonstrates special expertise in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis and other related diseases due to cholesterol abnormalities and other metabolic causes.

Atherosclerosis is a complex process, which can be understood as the thickening and hardening of the arterial walls. This terrible disease is the leading cause of heart attacks and strokes in the United States. Heart disease remains the number one cause of death for American men and women.

Schmidt is a member of the National Lipid Association and one of only approximately 900 Board Certified Clinical Lipidologists in the United States. During his 37-year medical career he has been certified and/or licensed in family medicine, emergency medicine, geriatric medicine, sports medicine and acupuncture.

Schmidt has lived in and maintained his medical practice in Elk County since 1981 and has no plans for retirement. He currently sees patients at his offices in St. Marys and Johnsonburg and is employed by the Penn Highlands Health System.