White Plains Hospital Now
Offers Comprehensive Cardiac Care
White Plains Hospital (WPH) has announced that its first ever open-heart surgery was successfully performed, signaling another transformational moment for the hospital and the launch of its cardiac surgery program. The coronary artery bypass surgery was performed by Robert E. Michler, MD, Surgeon-in-Chief, and Chairman of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and William A. Jakobleff, Jr. MD, Associate Professor, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The procedure was performed in the hospital’s newest state-of-the-art operating room dedicated to cardiac surgery.
“We are addressing a critical need in this region through our partnership with Montefiore to provide comprehensive care for cardiac patients in the Hudson Valley,” said Susan Fox, President and CEO of White Plains Hospital. “Until now, most Westchester patients in need of open-heart surgery chose to leave the county for care. This milestone is the latest example of how White Plains Hospital is continuing to provide advanced medical care for our community with a focus on excellence, close to home.”
White Plains Hospital is just the second hospital in Westchester County with the ability to perform open-heart procedures, providing this essential life-saving service for patients throughout the Hudson Valley.
“This is a very demanding specialty, which requires excellence at every step of the patient experience, from ICU care to anesthesia care to the outpatient experience,” said Dr. Robert Michler. “I am absolutely thrilled to be part of this program, and to work with the leadership and the physicians at White Plains Hospital.”
Expert cardiac surgeons, all of whom also practice at Montefiore Einstein’s heart program which earned 3-stars – the highest ranking possible from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons – have brought their world-class pedigree to Westchester to perform a wide range of cardiac procedures, such as aortic aneurism surgery, aortic valve surgery, coronary artery bypass surgery and mitral valve repair and replacement.
Dr. Michler added that White Plains Hospital’s cardiac surgery team will work closely with a network of cardiologists and specialists throughout Westchester County and the Hudson Valley to provide seamless access to the program.
White Plains Hospital’s first cardiac surgery patient was referred by Dr. Richard Charney of Montefiore New Rochelle Cardiology. The procedure took place on Wednesday, November 10 and the patient was successfully discharged home four days later. Patient Reinaldo Ortiz was able to walk out of the Hospital on November 14 surrounded by his care team.
To support the cardiac surgery program, White Plains Hospital has continued to transform its operating rooms, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and inpatient rooms designed specifically for cardiac patients.
Robert E. Michler, MD, Chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center Albert Einstein College of Medicine, is an internationally renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and researcher, and a leader in several specialties, including complex cardiac surgery, heart transplantation, valve repair surgery, ventricular reconstruction for congestive heart failure and minimally invasive cardiac surgery. He was one of the first to perform minimally invasive and robotic surgery in heart patients.
William A. Jakobleff, Jr. MD, has a longstanding history of partnership and collaboration with the Cardiac Surgery team at Montefiore Medical Center. He completed both his Cardiothoracic Surgery Fellowship and Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center before joining the faculty, where he has practiced for the past 10 years. He is an accomplished Associate Professor, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine.