Page 5 - Summer-2015

PHASE I: MISSION COMPLETE

On June 17, 2015, Marian Regional Medical Center unveiled its
newly completed Cardiac Interventional Hybrid Suite at a grand
opening celebration honoring Marian Heart Center Expansion
Project contributors.

The Marian Foundation wishes to extend sincere thanks
and gratitude to the many who gave generously in support
of the Marian Heart Center Expansion Project. Due to your
meaningful contributions, the Marian Foundation achieved its
ambitious goal to raise $1.5 million from community donations.

PHASE II: Al Schultz, MD, (center) past Marian Foundation Board Chair, did the
honors of cutting the ceremonial ribbon to commemorate the grand
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY SERVICES opening of the Cardiac Interventional Hybrid Suite. Tony Cossa (left)
and Georganne Ferini (right) assisted in the ribbon cutting for their
significant Chair and Vice Chair roles on the Project Heart Center
With Phase I complete, Marian is now embarking on the Leadership Council to raise community funds needed to establish
second and final phase of the Heart Center Expansion Project. Marian’s comprehensive cardiac program in 1993.
Phase II will transform the medical center’s original cardiac
catheterization laboratory into a modern facility with sophisticated meaningful community impact, please consider donating to
electrophysiology technology for cardiac rhythm management. the Marian Heart Center Expansion Project. Every gift of every
size matters. To discuss the most advantageous way you can get
Cardiologists specializing in electrophysiology are electricians involved, please contact the Marian Foundation at 805.739.3595.
of the heart as they are highly experienced in treating patients
with heart rhythm disorders. Atrial fibrillation is the most
common heart rhythm disorder, affecting more than 4% of the
population over age 60. Patients with this dangerous abnormal
heart rhythm are at an increased risk of experiencing a
potentially disabling or even fatal stroke by nearly 500%. Atrial BRETT GIDNEY, MD
fibrillation causes the two upper chambers of the heart to quiver
instead of beating properly. As a result, blood is not effectively
pumped to the body, causing clotting that can travel to the brain
or cause an artery blockage leading to a stroke. Brett Gidney, MD, is
an experienced cardiac
Currently, patients who suffer from atrial fibrillation and other electrophysiologist and
heart rhythm disorders must travel out of the area for care, cardiologist who specializes
however once Marian’s new cardiac catheterization laboratory in diagnosing and treating
with electrophysiology services is completed in December of irregular heartbeats
this year, heart rhythm disorder patients and their families will or arrhythmias.
no longer need to leave the Santa Maria Valley for care.
Fellowships:
Although the Marian Foundation was successful in recently CLINICAL CARDIAC ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY
achieving the community philanthropic goal of $1.5 million University of California, Los Angeles
for the Heart Center Expansion Project, more work has yet to Harbor Medical Center
be done. If you would like to see your charitable gift make a CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE
Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center
University of California, Los Angeles
Internship/Residency:
INTERNAL MEDICINE
1965 Captain and Mrs. Allan University of Southern California
Hancock, generous Santa Maria Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
benefactors, donate a 10-acre land Medical Degree:
site and the Sisters break ground on Albert Einstein College of Medicine
the new 125-bed Marian Hospital.
5