Texas, and a system-wide tumor board,
says Dr. Rodríguez. The tumor board is
a panel of subspecialists that reviews all
care plans, as well as conducts innovative
research in partnership with the Texas
A&M Health Science Center College
of Medicine, and many other academic
centers across the country.
New technology for a
healthier heart
Thomas H. Meade, MD, a cardiac
electrophysiologist and head of
cardiology services at Scott &
White College Station, says the new
hospital will provide comprehensive
cardiovascular care. Two catheterization
labs are filled with advanced and
innovative technology, with the
capability to reduce radiation exposure
from diagnostic and interventional
radiology procedures, while enabling
real-time navigation guidance during
electrophysiology procedures to restore
normal heart rhythms. The system uses
three-dimensional visualization, the
most advanced fluoroscopic images (live
X-rays), and magnetic trackers.
“We have the ability to
comprehensively treat patients with
heart and vascular disease, intervene
and treat coronary and peripheral artery
disease, perform bypass surgery, implant
pacemakers and defibrillators, treat those
Longtime Scott & White Healthcare - College Station patients
Carol and Robert Strawser tour a new heart catheterization lab.
8
The Catalyst November 13 | sw.org
who are critically ill or have suffered
heart attacks, and provide rehabilitation
for recovering patients,” says Dr. Meade,
one of four cardiologists on Scott &
White’s College Station staff.
Bao H. Le, DO, specializes in
interventional cardiology and will be
performing angiograms and implanting
stents using a new, less-invasive approach
through an artery in the wrist. Although
90 percent of cardiologists still use the
femoral artery approach in the leg,
Dr. Le says the radial artery approach
is more comfortable for patients,
shortens recovery time, and results in
less bleeding and complications. (Also
see how Scott & White is offering this
care at other locations on p. 29.)
“The procedure time is about the
same,” he says, “but once patients are
awakened from moderate sedation,
they can sit up, eat, and walk within
10-15 minutes. With the femoral
approach, recovery is longer, from two
to six hours.”
Robert H. Strawser, an accounting
professor at Texas A&M University and
another member of College Station’s
Board of Visitors, is glad to see Scott &
White’s services expanding. “Since 1986,
Scott & White has changed the quality
of healthcare in Bryan-College Station
and provided us with a real asset,” says
Mr. Strawser, who has received care
from Dr. Meade for a heart arrhythmia,
and has been a Scott & White patient
along with his wife, Carol, for almost 20
years. “Scott & White has brought topnotch physicians here, is training the
future doctors of Texas, and has helped