Parkridge Health System is opening two cardiac specialty practices to allow the Chattanooga hospital to treat the majority of heart conditions.
The new multispecialty practices - Centennial Heart at Parkridge and Centennial Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Parkridge - will be located on the second floor of the Diagnostic Center at the main Parkridge hospital on McCallie Avenue and staffed with seven physicians with a variety of expertise in treating heart and lung problems.
"It is a significant milestone to welcome such an esteemed group of physicians to a health system," said Tom Ozburn, president and CEO of Parkridge Health System. "As heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the United States, we are thrilled to welcome this group of world-class specialists who are among the highest regarded physicians in our area."
The multispecialty practices are comprised of cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, cardiac imaging specialists, cardiothoracic surgeons and electrophysiologists, who will offer a wide range of treatments, ranging from medical management of cardiac disease and ablation for atrial fibrillation (Afib) to specialized interventional procedures for treating chronic total occlusion, leading-edge surgical techniques and percutaneous left atrial appendage closure device implantation to prevent stroke in patients who cannot take blood thinners.
"Centennial Heart at Parkridge marks a new era of cardiac care in Chattanooga," said Dr. Alison L. Bailey, chief of cardiology for Centennial Heart at Parkridge who previously was director of the cardiovascular ambulatory practice at Erlanger Health System. "We have assembled a team of elite specialists who not only have the expertise to use the full spectrum of treatment options but also are committed to partnering with their patients to improve their cardiovascular health."
Dr. Bailey is a fellowship-trained cardiologist who is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular diseases, and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. She has been part of a multidisciplinary team overseeing the care of advanced heart failure patients in the Chattanooga region for the past five years.
Dr. Bailey said Centennial Heart at Parkridge connects Chattanooga to the Centennial Heart network, which is based in Middle Tennessee and is also affiliated with HCA Healthcare.
Centennial Heart at Parkridge will include:
* Michael Christian Allan, MD, a fellowship-trained, double board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist who specializes in heart rhythm disorders, such as Afib. He introduced percutaneous left atrial appendage closure device implantation to Chattanooga as a treatment for persistent Afib in patients who cannot tolerate blood thinners, and to date, he has performed more such procedures than any physician in the city. He has also introduced zero-fluoroscopy ablation to the area so that arrhythmias like SVT and Afib can be fixed with no radiation exposure to the patient. Prior to joining Centennial Heart at Parkridge, Dr. Allan practiced for 13 years in Chattanooga with Diagnostic Cardiology Group.
* Maurice Alston, DO, FACC, a fellowship-trained interventional cardiologist specializing in minimally invasive approaches to diagnosing, treating and managing cardiovascular disease. His training allows him to use both preventive and interventional approaches to stave off and treat cardiac disease. Dr. Alston previously practiced with Parkridge Medical Group – Cardiology.
* Michael Mikolaj, MD, MPH, FACC, a cardiologist who is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine. Additionally, he is one of two physicians in Tennessee who is board-certified in cardiovascular computed tomography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, adult comprehensive echocardiography and nuclear cardiology. He is also fellowship-trained in cardiovascular medicine and advanced cardiovascular imaging. Using non-invasive approaches and advanced imaging technology, such as cardiovascular computed tomography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, Dr. Mikolaj diagnoses a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. He previously served as an affiliated assistant professor at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Chattanooga, and practiced at Erlanger Health System.
* Jennifer Mirza, DO, a fellowship-trained cardiologist specializing in the prevention, management and treatment of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Mirza treats the full spectrum of cardiac conditions, including arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. She previously practiced at Parkridge Medical Group – Cardiology.
Centennial Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Parkridge will include:
* Mark Bonnell, MD, a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon who is board-certified in general and thoracic surgery. Prior to joining Centennial Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Parkridge, Dr. Bonnell served as cardiothoracic surgeon, vice chief of cardiac surgery and director of mechanical circulatory support at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, in Lansing, Michigan.
* Stephen Martin, MD, a fellowship-trained cardiothoracic surgeon who specializes in open and minimally invasive approaches to cardiothoracic surgery to tailor each procedure to the specific needs of the patient. He focuses on treating persistent atrial fibrillation, blocked coronary arteries, thoracic aortic aneurysm and valve disorders. Dr. Martin has interest and experience in performing the Convergent procedure and thoracoscopic ligation of the left atrial appendage, as well as open carotid endarterectomy cases. He previously practiced with Parkridge Cardiothoracic Surgery.