CLOSER TO HOME! TABLE OF CONTENTS PSHVI Services in Centre County............... cover A Minimally Invasive Approach..................... 2-3 A New Face in Cardiology............................. 4-6 FOUR STATE COLLEGE LOCATIONS Benner Pike 303 Benner Pike, Suite 1 State College, PA 16801 814-272-4400 814-272-4410 (fax) 814-272-4422 (Laboratory) Colonnade The Colonnade Shopping Center 32 Colonnade Way 814-272-4445 814-272-4450 (fax) Park Avenue 1850 East Park Avenue, Suite 312 814-235-2480 814-235-2482 (fax) Windmere Centre 476 Rolling Ridge Road, Suite 101 State College, PA 16801 814-689-4980 814-689-4990 (fax) Penn State Hershey Bone and Joint Institute State College 1850 East Park Avenue, Suite 112 814-865-3566 814-863-7803 (fax) Bringing Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute to Centre County Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute is a national model for comprehensive cardiovascular care, research, and medical education. World-renowned doctors, skilled physician extenders, and Magnet-recognized nurses work together to provide the region s most advanced care for both common and complex heart and vascular conditions. Teamwork is essential to the operations of the Heart and Vascular Institute, said Lawrence Sinoway, M.D., director, Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute. From multidisciplinary outpatient clinics to an integrated heart and vascular intensive care unit, in which patients are cared for by specialists with expertise in the care of acute cardiovascular complications, collaboration is who we are. In addition to our clinical expertise we have a cadre of scientists who receive support from the National Institutes of Health and numerous studies supported by industry. We conduct research everyday to examine medications and devices, to improve the lives of our patients. The team approach within Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute extends beyond the more than forty specialists, in general cardiology, electrophysiology, congenital heart disease, interventional services, cardiothoracic surgery, heart failure, vascular surgery, and mechanical circulatory support. These specialists work with the referring physicians locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally to optimize the care and treatment provided to each patient. In the last few months, the Institute has expanded its team with the addition of a cardiologist and vascular surgeon to serve the needs of Centre County residents.
A Minimally Invasive Approach to Vascular Disease Vascular surgeon Eugene Simoni, M.D., F.A.C.S., joined Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute in December, bringing a whole new methodology to treat vascular disease in Centre County. His approach with endovascular surgery is minimally invasive, accessing various regions of the body percutaneously through major blood vessels. Endovascular surgery greatly decreases a patient s hospital stay, and also reduces the risk of morbidity and mortality, said Dr. Simoni. Patients can go home the next day after surgery without restrictions. Eugene Simoni, M.D., F.A.C.S., works with caregivers at the Penn State Hershey Medical Group located on Colonnade Way to treat patients with vascular disease. 2
Dr. Simoni joined the Heart and Vascular Institute team after serving as the Chief of Vascular Surgery at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, where he performed extensive research and helped develop seven investigative protocols for treating patients with vascular disease. His attraction to State College was the challenge to develop a comprehensive vascular surgery program in the Penn State community. Through discussions with leadership at Mount Nittany Medical Center and Penn State Hershey Medical Center, it was clear that there was a need for a full-time vascular surgeon in State College to serve the increasing number of patients with peripheral vascular disease, said Amy Reed, M.D., program director, vascular surgery, Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute. With Dr. Simoni s presence, we are now able to provide expeditious vascular services to the patients in State College and surrounding communities. I really believe this community, with the support of Mount Nittany Medical Center and Penn State Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine, has the capability of becoming an Endovascular Center of Excellence in this region, said Dr. Simoni. We can now keep patients local where their families are, with easy access to the Medical Center in Hershey for transfer, if need be. EDUCATIONAL PROFILE FOR Eugene J. Simoni, M.D., F.A.C.S. Medical Degree: Hahnemann University (Philadelphia) Internship in General Surgery: Henry Ford Hospital (Detroit) Residency in Surgery: Henry Ford Hospital Fellowship in Vascular Surgery: Henry Ford Hospital Clinical interests: Endovascular treatment of peripheral arterial and venous disease, endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms, carotid stenting, and the placement and maintenance of hemodialysis access. We can now keep patients local where their families are, with easy access to the Medical Center in Hershey for transfer, if need be. Dr. Simoni consults and treats patients at the new Penn State Hershey Medical Group Colonnade location for a broad range of vascular diseases such as: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) Abdominal aortic aneurysms Carotid artery stenosis Venous disease Dr. Simoni treats patients of all ages, specifically the aging baby boomers who are reaching the stage of life with higher potential for vascular disease. Education about healthy lifestyle habits is essential to preventing many conditions. I enjoy caring for critically ill patients and helping to change their lifestyles or even their lives. Repairing a ruptured aneurysm, for example, may save someone s life. Teamwork with primary care providers Dr. Simoni relies on recommendations provided to patients by primary care physicians regarding their control of blood pressure and cholesterol. These can be affected by a patient s diet, exercise and exposure to first- and second-hand smoke. While patients cannot control family history and genetic factors, a healthy lifestyle can certainly help prevent vascular disease. I want to work hand-in-hand with referring primary care providers, allowing them to maintain control of patients overall care. I am here to take care of the vascular aspects affecting people s health, helping the community understand that caring for vascular disease is an ongoing process. 3
A New Face in Cardiology to the Community The addition of Jason Fragin, D.O., to the Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute has helped improve access to preventive cardiac medicine in Centre County. A native to Pennsylvania, cardiologist Jason Fragin, D.O., grew up near Scranton in Clarks Summit. He earned his undergraduate degree at Penn State and quickly gained an interest in medicine following a summer program that taught him about the many facets of cardiology care. After spending more than five years in private practice in Allentown, Pa., Dr. Fragin joined Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute in February, practicing with Dr. Simoni at the Penn State Hershey Medical Group location on Colonnade Way. Joining Penn State Hershey Medical Group is a great opportunity for me to be part of an overall organization with such a tremendous academic and clinical reputation, and provide that level of care to patients in the Penn State community, said Dr. Fragin. I am excited to help build Penn State Hershey s cardiology presence from the ground up in State College. Improving access to preventive cardiac medicine Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute provides a national model for comprehensive cardiovascular care. The delivery of care in State College is no exception. Dr. Fragin centers his work around risk prevention. His experiences at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown with advanced technology and innovative practices have provided a smooth transition to his work with the Heart and Vascular Institute. 4
With appropriate diagnostic tools and resources, his goal is to prevent heart disease for patients in Centre County. This includes heart attacks, strokes and other vascular diseases. Early intervention is essential, especially noting high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and family history of premature heart disease. Given comprehensive diagnostic testing at the Colonnade site, patients now have access to the same high level of care provided at the Heart and Vascular Institute s home base at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa.: Stress tests Echocardiography Stress echocardiography Dobutamine stress echocardiography Holter monitoring Event recorders Vascular imaging, including carotid IMT and abdominal aortic ultrasound Penn State Hershey s Heart and Vascular imaging capabilities in State College will allow physicians to essentially calculate a patient s vascular age compared to his or her chronologic age by measuring the thickness of the artery walls. With ultrasound technology to avoid radiation exposure, this diagnostic tool helps guide therapy by understanding a patient s potential for disease. With good medicine and preventive measures, the risk of future cardiac events can be greatly reduced. EDUCATIONAL PROFILE FOR Jason D. Fragin, D.O. Medical Degree: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Internship in Internal Medicine: Lehigh Valley Hospital (Allentown) Residency in Internal Medicine: Lehigh Valley Hospital Fellowship in Cardiology: Albert Einstein Medical Center (Philadelphia) Clinical interests: Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac CT, carotid IMT, lipids and risk prevention, and valvular heart disease Experts available for educational talks As part of its education and community service missions, Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute offers expert speakers on a wide range of cardiovascular topics. Whether it s a formal program awarding continuing education credit, or an informal presentation to referring physicians or a community group, our goal is to provide current information that is appropriate for any of a variety of settings. For more information, please contact our Heart and Vascular Outreach Office at 717-531-1424 or email HVIoutreach@hmc.psu.edu. Collaborative partners in cardiology care Creating an open dialogue and teamwork approach with primary care physicians is important to Dr. Fragin and his work with the Heart and Vascular Institute in State College. With more than five years in practice, I understand the needs and goals of primary care physicians, and I am happy to treat and care for patients cooperatively. I want to provide a framework for risk prevention by doing what s appropriate for patients with proper diagnostic testing. In addition, Dr. Fragin and his team of caregivers at Colonnade plan to work in conjunction with colleagues at the Heart and Vascular Institute in Hershey on clinical trials. 5
These studies may include research on different drugs and devices, as well as changing therapies for cardiovascular issues that affect patients in central Pennsylvania. My goal is to provide the same high level of clinical care and teaching as is provided at the Medical Center in Hershey, here in State College, Dr. Fragin said. I can serve as the access point to tertiary care in Hershey. When patients in State College and the surrounding Centre County need to utilize providers and resources in Hershey, Dr. Fragin seeks to provide education upon their return home from the Medical Center. With good medicine and preventive measures, the risk of future cardiac events can be greatly reduced. Expanding health care services The addition of Dr. Fragin and Dr. Simoni to Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute, as well as the growth of the Penn State Hershey Medical Group in State College, has been designed to provide expanded health care services in State College and the surrounding communities. This expansion compliments Penn State Hershey s established sports medicine/orthopaedic practice and family medicine practice in State College. The Medical Group is extending its services with the addition of dermatologist Sara Ferguson, M.D., and gastroenterologist Joel Haight, M.D., practicing at Penn State Hershey Medical Group Colonnade location. With comprehensive laboratory services provided at the new Benner Pike facility, lab results can be instantly documented into a patient s electronic record. This provides for seamless communication between Dr. Fragin, Dr. Simoni and the local team of Penn State Hershey physicians. These heart and vascular specialists serve as a resource not only to Penn State Hershey Medical Group s own physicians and patients, but to providers in the Centre County community, as well. Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute State College 32 Colonnade Way 814-272-4445 The addition of Dr. Simoni and Dr. Fragin to Penn State Hershey Heart and Vascular Institute provides expanded health care services in State College and the surrounding communities. 6
For more information about Penn State Hershey s Heart and Vascular Institute, visit PennStateHershey.org/heartandvascular. For more information about Penn State Hershey s Medical Group in State College, visit. To make an appointment with Dr. Simoni or Dr. Fragin, please call 814-272-4445. Now online Penn State Medicine online highlights the people and programs of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine, including departments, institutes, faculty, staff, donors, and alumni. Updated on a regular basis, the site features stories, videos, and photo albums. Log onto pennstatemedicine. org now to receive notifications when the site has been updated or subscribe to the RSS feed. U.Ed. MED 11-3807 MG 7