Garnet Health Launches Open-Heart Surgery Program

Garnet Health’s award-winning Peter Frommer, MD Heart Center proudly announces the opening of its new open-heart surgery program in partnership with New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. The first program of its kind in Orange County, complex cardiothoracic procedures can now be performed locally, allowing patients to receive expert heart surgery care without the stress of traveling far from their loved ones.
 
The program is led by cardiothoracic lead surgeon and Medical Director Michael Argenziano, MD, FACS, who also serves as associate chief of the Division of Cardiac, Thoracic, and Vascular Surgery at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center. “In my nearly 30 years of being a cardiothoracic surgeon in New York City, I have performed open-heart surgery on many residents living in Orange and Sullivan Counties who needed to travel simply because there were no better options nearby,” said Argenziano. “Now, the same exceptional care you expect and receive in New York City is available right here.”
 
“Heart disease is a leading cause of death in both Orange and Sullivan Counties,” explained Rose Baczewski, Vice President & Chief Operating  Officer at Garnet Health, and the executive sponsor for the cardiothoracic surgery program. “And, while Garnet Health is already an award-winning heart care organization and recognized for our experienced cardiologists, as well as our specialists and advanced technologies, we knew we could do more to help our community. Adding open-heart surgery services truly elevates our ability to provide comprehensive cardiac care. ”
 
The open-heart surgery program at Garnet Health boasts new, state-of the-art operating rooms and equipment, and an exceptional team of cardiac experts. “The launching of this program fills such a vital need in our community and would not have been possible were it not for the dedication and hard work of our clinical team,” said Baczewski.
 
Cardiothoracic surgery procedures performed include: 

• Coronary artery bypass grafting 
• Aortic valve replacement 
• Mitral valve replacement 
• Mitral valve repair 
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm repair 
• Maze procedure for atrial fibrillation 
• Left atrial appendage ligation 
• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement

 
Learn more about the open-heart surgery program and view a video of Patrick Spencer, the first open-heart surgery patient at Garnet Health, by visiting garnethealth.org/heartsurgery
 

About Garnet Health

Garnet Health is a New York State, not-for-profit Corporation headquartered in Middletown, New York, approximately 60 miles northwest of New York City. It is the corporate parent of Garnet Health Medical Center, Garnet Health Medical Center – Catskills, Garnet Health Doctors, Garnet Health Urgent Care, Garnet Health Foundation and Garnet Health Foundation – Catskills. Garnet Health is dedicated to developing specialty services, medical programs and needed healthcare services that allow residents to remain close to home to receive quality care.

Providing healthcare to approximately 450,000 residents in Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, Garnet Health was designed to improve the quality, stability and efficiency of healthcare services in the mid-Hudson and Catskill region. Garnet Health provides services by more than 4,000 employed professionals and over 850 medical staff members. An academic affiliate of the Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Garnet Health retains compassionate professionals who continually strive toward the hospital’s mission to improve the health of our community by providing exceptional healthcare. To learn more about Garnet Health, visit garnethealth.org