MDNews - Long Island

" At the Knapp Cardiac Care Center, we provide lifesaving care in a timely fashion, close to patients' homes. For example, patients can receive care in one of four state-of-the-art catheterization labs without leaving the community. We are proud of that. In addition, it is convenient for family members to visit. I love for a patient's mother or father or brother to be able to comfort the patient. Seeing a familiar face is so important." WAQAS KHAN, MD, CARDIOLOGIST AT BROOKHAVEN MEMORIAL HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER from elsewhere in the community simply due to our years of practice. We can oer additional information to guide diagnosis and therapy for that particular admission. I call it cross-pollination of services. If a colleague picks up a phone and asks me to review a case, I say, 'I'll be right there!'" SOLID PARTNERS Care is a lso well-integrated between Brookhaven and Winthrop-University Hospit a l, f u r t her opt i m i zi n g t reat- ment. The relationship between the two organizations is highly collaborative, and patients benefit from the synergis- tic sha ring of exper tise bet ween the two institutions. For t h e p a s t s e v e n y e a r s , t h e s e options have been available to patients at Brookhaven, providing support to the hospital's burgeoning cardiac program. A lthough Dr. Khan notes that patient transfers are needed only rarely, they are a swift journey via standby ambulance. A HEARTFELT LOVE OF COMMUNITY Bringing advanced interventional car- diology to Brookhaven has been an act of love for Dr. Semertzides, Dr. Schwartz, Dr. Khan and their colleagues. As evidence of the community-centric nature of the program, cardiac rehabilita- tion and multiple support groups have taken root at the Knapp Cardiac Care Center. Oering education, fellowship and carefully monitored exercise, cardiac rehabilitation keeps patients invested in their recovery process, which fosters bet- ter outcomes. Support groups led by social workers or nurses further the medical and educational goals of Brookhaven as well. A heartfelt approach to patients is read- ily apparent when the physicians discuss their work, as well as the devotion of sta and leadership. "The dedication of the people who work here is uncompromising," Dr. Semertzides says. "That includes the administration. You can see it in how they approach issues a nd in the decisions they ma ke. Our healthcare and other employees are also extraordinarily dedicated. I know many of the people who work here, from nurses to physician assistants to personal assistants and janitors. Some are my patients as well as my co-workers, and they do a stellar job. I see that up close every day, and it is one of the reasons I love the hospital." To learn more, visit brookhavenhospital .org/Knapp. ■ The Knapp Cardiac Care Center clinical team PHOTO © PAUL MOORE, PAUL MOORE STUDIO 1 0C O V E R F E A T U R E

• Cover