ST. LOUIS – July 16, 2007 – Four top-rated heart surgeons who perform more than 800 surgeries a year at SSM Health Care-St. Louis hospitals have consolidated their practices into a single surgical group: SSM Cardiovascular and Thoracic Services, Inc., (CTSI). The group will focus on expanding heart and thoracic surgery services at SSM Health Care-St. Louis hospitals and improving surgical outcomes.

“Think of a virtual heart hospital focused on innovation, where protocols are uniform and services are delivered consistently -- not at one but four convenient sites,” said Mike Graue, executive vice president-network operations for SSM.

CTSI is comprised of Drs. Trevor Axford, Stephen D’Orazio, Seiichi Noda and David Theodoro. They are supported by a dedicated team of surgical assistants, nurses, perfusionists and other health professionals. The surgeons will continue to anchor surgical teams at SSM St. Mary’s Health Center (Dr. Axford), SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood (Dr. Noda), DePaul Health Center (Dr. Theodoro) and SSM St. Joseph Health Center-St. Charles (Dr. D’Orazio). They previously were part of CardioThoracic Surgery Associates, P.C., whose relationship with SSM ended July 1.

“Not long ago we had contracts with two or three heart surgery groups, each doing things a little bit differently,” Graue said. “Under this new model, we can pool the strengths of highly skilled surgeons and surgical teams to standardize processes and minimize variation, which results in the best possible outcomes for our patients."

SSM’s heart surgeons have earned a reputation for being at the forefront of the latest heart procedures. One of those is minimally invasive “keyhole” surgery where a 3- to 4-inch incision replaces opening the chest completely to repair valve disease, and treat some arrhythmias and congestive heart failure. Another is off-pump bypass, also called “beating heart” surgery, where the heart is not stopped during surgery.

“We feel very fortunate to be partnering with an innovative group of surgeons who share our vision for the future,” Graue added.

From left to right - Seiichi Noda, MD; David A. Theodoro, MD; 
Trevor Axford, MD; Stephen D’Orazio, MD,

Physician’s Biographies

Trevor Axford, MD, FACS, received his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, in 1986. He completed his general surgery residency and cardiothoracic residency at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston. Dr. Axford is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.  His office is located on the SSM St. Mary’s Health Center campus at 1035 Bellevue Ave., Suite 502, St. Louis, MO 63117.

Stephen D’Orazio, MD, FACS, received his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1988.  He completed his cardiothoracic and general surgery residencies at Saint Louis University Health Sciences Center.  Dr. D’Orazio is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.  Dr. D’Orazio’s office is located near the SSM St. Joseph Health Center campus at 400 First Capitol Drive, Suite 301, St. Charles, MO 63301.

Seiichi Noda, MD, earned his medical degree at the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine in 1990.  He completed his residency in general surgery at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School in Boston.  He completed his cardiothoracic surgery residency at Washington University School of Medicine.  Dr. Noda is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.  His office is located on the SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood campus at 533 Couch Ave., Suite 220, Kirkwood, MO 63122.

David A. Theodoro, MD, is a native of Festus, Missouri.  He earned his Doctorate of Medicine from Washington University in 1988.  Dr. Theodoro completed his residency in general surgery at Washington University School of Medicine and Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.  He completed his cardiothoracic residency at the Mayo Clinic and Foundation in Rochester, Minnesota.  Dr. Theodoro is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery, and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.  His office is located on the SSM DePaul Health Center campus at 12255 DePaul Drive, Suite 445, Bridgeton, MO 63044.

About SSM Health Care-St. Louis:

With eight hospitals, nearly 2,000 staff physicians and 11,000 employees, SSM Health Care-St. Louis is committed to serving the comprehensive health needs of St. Louis area residents.  Sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Mary, the health care network includes: SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center; SSM DePaul Health Center; SSM St. Joseph Health Center (St. Charles); SSM St. Joseph Health Center-Wentzville; SSM St. Joseph Hospital West (Lake Saint Louis); SSM St. Joseph Hospital of Kirkwood; SSM St. Mary's Health Center and SSM Rehab. Its parent organization, SSM Health Care, also based in St. Louis owns, operates and manages hospitals and nursing homes in four states: Missouri, Illinois, Wisconsin and Oklahoma.

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