MDNews - Cleveland-Akron-Canton

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++ HOSPITAL HIGHLIGHT  + +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + +++ +++ PERINATAL CENTER OF NORTHEAST OHIO AT METROHEALTH 1970s. Today, the Perinatal Center of Northeast Ohio at MetroHealth includes the Division of Genetics, as well as the Divisions of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Neonatology, and provides a broad combination of services for women with complicated pregnancies and for their newborn children. “MetroHealth has had a national T reputation for excellence in pregnancy care — and in pregnancy research — for decades,” says Brian Mercer, MD, FACOG, director of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Obstetrics. “As a result, HE METROHEALTH SYSTEM was one of the first to offer Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Neonatal Intensive Care in the MetroHealth has played an important role in improving the understanding of physiologic changes in pregnancy, as well as in the treatment of complicated pregnancies.” Team-Based Care MetroHealth provides a mult i- disciplinary approach to care, which can be essential before, during and af ter pregnancy, especially when dealing with medical complications such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, hematological disorders, pulmonary and kidney diseases and autoimmune disease. A team approach is also important for obstetric problems such as multifetal gestations, preterm The Perinatal Center of Northeast Ohio at MetroHealth includes the Divisions of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Genetics and Neonatology. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists include (front, left to right) Jennifer Bailit, MD, Brian Mercer, MD, and Patrick Catalano, MD, and (back, left to right) Alicia Mandujano, MD, Bradley Stetzer, DO, Judette Louis, MD, Thaddeus Waters, MD, Stephen Myers, DO, and Laura Vricella, MD. labor, premature rupture of mem- branes, infections and trauma. Seven maternal-medicine specialists (see photo below) provide outpatient consultation and collaborative concurrent care in several clinics, including the Diabetes, Fetal Care, Prematurity and Medical Complications Clinics. In MetroHealth’s Fetal Care Clinic, led by maternal-fetal medicine specialist Stephen Myers, DO, FACOG, diagnosis and care is provided for problems such as severe growth restriction of the fetus, fetal malformations, twin-to-twin trans- fusion syndrome and red cell or platelet alloimmunization. Pediatric medical and surgical subspecialty consultation and treatment are available on site. The maternal-fetal medicine special- ists also work closely with the Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, directed by Carol Crowe, MD, FACP, FACMG. Couples considering a pregnancy or those at risk to have a child with a genetic condition such as Down syndrome can be evaluated in the Prenatal Genetics Clinic by Dr. Crowe and her staff of certified genetic counselors. “For all ethnic groups, we offer cystic fi brosis carrier testing,” says Dr. Crowe. “Depending on a couple’s family history and the information they request, we can also test for conditions such as spinal muscular atrophy. Other carrier tests offered include sickle cell disease, thalassemia and a panel of disorders that are more common in people of Jewish origin.” She explains that these and many other 36 | Cleveland-Akron-Canton MD NEWS  MDNEWS.COM  JULY-AUGUST 2011 PHOTOS COURTESY OF METROHEALTH

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