Recent changes at Summa Health are of concern and require some balance. I would like to highlight important advances in patient care, physician education and medical investigation that continue to make Summa a great place to receive care, work and train.
The Summa Cardiovascular Institute, staffed by cardiologists and vascular and cardiothoracic surgeons, has brought many advances in patient care. The interventional group was the first in the area to do transcatheter aortic valve replacement. Additional firsts include advances in treatment of complex coronary disease, catheter-based treatment of blood clots in the lung and the use of bioabsorbable stents.
The interventional team has a door-to-balloon time for treatment of heart attacks of about 45 minutes, half the national average.
The electrophysiology group has developed a comprehensive atrial fibrillation treatment program including combined catheter and surgical treatments and alternatives to blood thinners for atrial fibrillation. The team implanted the first subcutaneous defibrillator and now has leadless (no wires) pacing systems.
Our research group on average has seven to 10 trials underway. Together we have worked to improve patient access with new markets in Green and Medina.
We take pride in our cardiovascular fellowship training program, fully accredited and now fully enrolled with amazingly talented physicians who contribute not only through their care, but through research, publications and presentations locally and nationally. They have earned advanced training in top-tier programs nationwide.
Many other departments have similar stories. Summa Health is a family, and families often grow stronger through adversity. I have no doubt that the dedicated physicians, nurses, fellows, residents and all of the hard-working people who have made Summa great over the years will continue to do so.
Dr. Brian J Donelan
Summa Health Medical Group-Cardiology
Green
What voters overlooked
The closeness of the popular vote indicates that many Americans, including me, think President Donald Trump comes up short on several characteristics critical for effective leadership and conducting the country’s affairs.
He lacks a breadth of knowledge and skills, a graceful demeanor, a rational temperament and the ability to articulate his plans.
However, many of his supporters overlooked these shortcomings in favor of Trump’s apparent political philosophy and his drain-the-swamp, anti-big government pronouncements.
So, we have a president who only sees and discusses things in the extremes — between “great” and “terrible” — with little ability or tendency to distinguish the subtleties.
It is our duty as citizens to acknowledge him as our leader for the next four years, but maybe we should be more discerning the next time around.
Al Sullivan
Wadsworth
Hold Trump to his word
I am appalled Donald Trump has the audacity to nominate such a terrible choice for labor secretary in his Cabinet. He has picked the worst person possible for the position. Andrew Puzder has proved to be totally against working people, and so has Trump.
This just goes to show us, without any doubt, what the priorities are. Trump swore he would be for the working folks in America, and a lot of people believed him.
I didn’t, but so many did that he won the election. Now, he needs to be held at his word, although he has hemmed and hawed around everything he promised so far. He needs to be kept to his word.
Lynn Foti
Akron