Author: St. Elizabeth Healthcare

When it comes to your heart, you want the best care possible. The heart surgery team at St. Elizabeth Healthcare is delivering cutting-edge procedures and care that improve outcomes and quality of life. Dr. Juan Penaranda, a Cardiac Surgeon at St. Elizabeth Healthcare explains what patients can expect and feel confident about when it comes to their heart care here. Q: What Makes St. Elizabeth a Leader in Advanced Heart Surgery? St. Elizabeth is certified by The Joint Commission and the American Heart Association as a Comprehensive Cardiac Center, placing it among an elite group of hospitals nationwide. Our cardiac surgery program has earned the highest possible rating of 3-stars from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for CABG and mitral valve replacement and repair surgeries which is…

Finding out you need heart surgery can be a daunting and anxiety-filled experience, no matter where you are in your journey. At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we recognize these concerns and are committed to making sure you receive comprehensive pre- and post-surgical support to ensure a better recovery and long-term heart health. Our dedicated team does this by working together as one. “Our surgery team is vast,” says Dr. Mario Castillo-Sang, a Cardiac Surgeon at St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “I would say there are three facets to it.” Better understand our surgery team’s role in your care, from beginning to end: The Office Staff: Your First Point of Contact The office is where most of the staff and…

Lung cancer remains one of the most challenging diagnoses, but at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, new approaches to early detection and personalized care are changing the outlook for patients in Northern Kentucky and beyond. With Kentucky having the highest incidence rate of lung cancer in the country, according to the American Lung Association, our nationally recognized screening program is reaching more people at risk and opening the door to better survival rates. To better understand these advances, Michael Johnson, MD, a Thoracic Surgeon at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, talks about the importance of screening, the latest treatment options and what patients can do to improve their outcomes. Can You Explain the Significance of Early-Stage Lung Cancer Detection? “The…

Robotic surgery is revolutionizing the field of general surgery, offering patients and surgeons new possibilities for safer, less invasive and more precise procedures. At St. Elizabeth, the adoption of cutting-edge technology like the da Vinci 5 Surgical System has positioned the region as a leader in robotic-assisted surgery, with more than 25,000 robot-assisted procedures performed since 2009. Dr. Michael McAndrew, MD, a General Surgeon at St. Elizabeth, shares his perspective on how robotic surgery is transforming care for patients in Southeastern Indiana and beyond. What Is Robotic Surgery?   Robotic surgery is a minimally invasive technique that uses advanced robotic arms…

As the calendar winds toward December, many people focus on holiday plans, shopping and year-end deadlines. But for those who’ve been putting off elective surgery, now can be a great time to act. At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, you can schedule many surgery procedures close to home, avoid travel hassles and make the most of your insurance benefits before they reset. This type of end-of-year surgery planning can help you manage costs, recovery time and convenience as the holidays approach. Kevin Schuler, MD, Gynecologic Cancer Surgeon and Vice President of Medical Services, says this time of year often creates the right window to move forward…

Dr. Michael “Mickey” Ising, brings more than surgical skill to the St. Elizabeth cardiac surgery team – he brings the mindset of an engineer. Before he ever stepped into an operating room, Dr. Ising was immersed in the world of biomedical engineering. He worked on artificial heart technology – designing mechanical systems that could replicate the rhythm and reliability of the human heart. But something was missing. “I realized I wanted to be the one helping the patient directly – not just designing the devices,” he explains. “I wanted to be in the room, talking to the person whose life…

Nicole Schadler, a loving wife, mother and long-standing Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, lived an active and healthy lifestyle. But one day in March, Nicole began experiencing troubling symptoms – swollen hands, kidney pain and abnormally high blood pressure. Despite multiple doctor’s visits and new medications, her periodic symptoms continued to worsen, leaving her feeling anxious. Over the next three months, Nicole made several trips to local emergency rooms, but her symptoms were often attributed to high blood pressure, hypertension and other likely cardiac causes. One day at a school athletic event,…

Coronary artery disease — blocked heart arteries — is the most common type of heart disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it affects one in 20 American adults over age 20. Interventional cardiologists use a procedure called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to clear arteries in patients with this condition. To help patients with severe artery blockages and weakened heart muscles, St. Elizabeth Healthcare offers high-risk PCI. Interventional Cardiologist Mohanjit Brar, MD, explains this procedure and how it improves outcomes for patients with advanced coronary artery disease. Here’s what you should know. What is High-Risk Percutaneous Coronary…

If joint pain is keeping you from doing the things you love—walking your dog, playing with your grandkids or simply getting a good night’s sleep—it may be time to consider joint replacement surgery. Dr. Matthew Hummel, an Orthopaedic Surgeon at OrthoCincy Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, understands that surgery can feel intimidating. But he wants patients to know that joint replacement can be life-changing. “Joint replacement surgery can give you a new lease on life,” says Dr. Hummel. “Many people cope with their symptoms for years before deciding to have surgery. Ironically, these are often the same people who say they…

Every year, nearly 320,000 women in the United States receive a breast cancer diagnosis. According to the National Institutes of Health, more than 90% include surgery in their treatment plan. St. Elizabeth Healthcare offers the most advanced surgery options to deliver the highest quality care possible. To help you decide whether surgery is the right choice for you, Brianne Nicholas, MD, a Breast Cancer Surgeon at St. Elizabeth, offers insights about the breast cancer surgery process. Here’s what she wants you to know. What Are Early Signs of Breast Cancer? When Should People Begin Screening? For most women, early-stage breast…