Columbia St. Mary’s and Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin have formed an agreement that will provide additional cardiothoracic surgery programs at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Milwaukee and Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Ozaukee.
The organizations will work together on program development, outpatient and follow-up care, backup physician coverage and support. Columbia St. Mary’s will expand its minimally invasive valve and electrophysiology procedure offerings with help from Froedtert & the Medical College physicians.
“Our doctors will team with Columbia St. Mary’s cardiologists, electrophysiologists, intensive care teams and others to appropriately broaden and coordinate heart surgery services to meet the needs of area patients,” said Dr. Mark Lodes, president, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Community Physicians. “We look forward to a strong, successful partnership for both organizations.”
Cardiac surgeons Dr. Paul Seifert and Dr. Scott Schlidt and thoracic specialists Dr. Michael Swank and Dr. Daryl Pearlstein from the Medical College of Wisconsin will practice at the Columbia St. Mary’s hospitals on Milwaukee’s east side and in Mequon. Dr. Robert McManus and other Medical College cardiothoracic surgeons will also provide coverage through the agreement.
“The alliance will enable us to broaden our heart program and provide the highest level of cardiac surgery care to the patients and the communities we serve,” said Allan Spooner, president, Columbia St. Mary’s hospital division. “It is also a clear demonstration of our longstanding collaborative relationship with Froedtert & the Medical College. It makes sense to build on the local strengths that each partner brings to the community and work together to develop our high-quality cardiac programs.”
