Hermann In 'Best Physicians'

Bradford Regional Medical Center's (BRMC) Steven Herrmann, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.S.E., medical director of the hospital's Cardiovascular Services and the region's only board-certified physician in cardiovascular imaging, will be included in a national "Best Physicians 2009" edition of U.S. cardiologists.

This will be the third time Dr. Herrmann has been selected to a publication spotlighting the best cardiologists in the country. Dr. Herrmann, who leads BRMC's Heart Center, works to provide the highest levels of cardiac care. The cardiologist will be recognized in the Victoria Foundation's publication, scheduled to be printed this summer and available nationally by fall.

"We're extremely proud to have a specialist of Dr. Herrmann's caliber and credentials in the region, and especially excited about this latest honor," said BRMC President/CEO George E. Leonhardt. "As a nationally recognized physician with over a decade of experience in advanced heart disease and cardiac testing, this new award highlights the level of professional achievement that Dr. Herrmann has been known for among both his peers and patients."

According to publication officials, Dr. Herrmann was one of 500 cardiologists selected for this publication from a total of 28,000 cardiologists throughout the U.S. "Our selection of cardiologists was based on information provided to us from the American Medical Association and also Castle Connolly Medical Ltd., a service that rates doctors" based on peer nominations, explained Mark Adamson, director of the Alpharetta, Ga.-based Victoria Foundation which began in 1997. The foundation supports education at various levels, ranging from The Keystone School for autistic children in Alpharetta to Galen University at San Ignacio, Belize, Mexico.

When hearing of his inclusion to Victoria Foundation’s publication, Dr. Herrmann said, “I’m clearly happy to be recognized with this honor. But this honor does not just focus on what I’ve managed to accomplish. This selection also gives due credit to my talented and dedicated staff at BRMC which strives every day to deliver the best possible cardiac care in a two-state region.”

BRMC's Heart Center, designated a Center of Excellence, is located on the second floor of the hospital's Outpatient Services Center which opened in January 2007. It provides comprehensive cardiovascular care and services, plus a wide range of diagnostic services in the Imaging Services Department which houses a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization suite.

Since being named medical director of Cardiovascular Services, Dr. Herrmann has focused on developing a complete line of cardiac imaging services at BRMC as well as developing evidence-based medical protocols for the management of ischemic heart disease and congestive heart failure for patients.

Dr. Herrmann has brought a high level of expertise in invasive catheterization and advanced hemodynamics for patients requiring cardiac catheterization, say hospital officials. Ultimately, it is planned Dr. Herrmann will be able to perform cardiac angioplasty and stenting interventional procedures at BRMC.

Significant upgrades in diagnostic imaging procedures have now earned two nationally recognized accreditations that show proven technical performance and accuracy. The Heart Center and nearby Imaging Services Department house an on-site, state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization suite for the diagnosis and treatment of certain cardiac conditions. No physician referral is needed for an appointment with Dr. Herrmann at
BRMC’s Heart Center. Appointments are made directly by calling the office at 814-362-8720. Further information on the program is available online at www.brmc.com.

Dr. Herrmann joined BRMC’s medical staff in January 2006 from Saint Louis University Hospital. He was recruited by BRMC to head the hospital's expanding Cardiology Services, a program which has had a longstanding affiliation with Hamot Heart Institute, Erie, Pa. He was named to the prestigious Best Doctors in America list in 2005-06 by Best Doctors Inc. and again for that award in 2007-08. Best Doctors
Inc. is a recognition of excellence announced internationally and given to only 4 percent of physicians in the U.S. The awards are given based on the survey results of more than 50,000 physicians across the U.S. and 30 countries who provide their recommendations of the best among their peer group.

In spring 2008, he earned a 10-year board certification in Nuclear Cardiology from the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology. Dr. Herrmann also is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease and Adult Echocardiography by the American Board of Internal Medicine and the American Society of Echocardiography. He also is board-eligible in Interventional Cardiology. Dr. Herrmann also is an award-winning teacher, researcher and author. He was recognized as the Cardiology Teacher of the Year, Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year, and Distinguished Teacher in the School of Medicine for each of his four years as Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine/Cardiovascular Diseases at Saint Louis University. He holds an adjunctive Assistant Professor position in Physiology and Pharmacology at Saint Louis University, where he continues to teach Cardiovascular Physiology in the School of Medicine.

Dr. Herrmann also is recognized in “Who’s Who” for medical school educators. He received his medical degree from Saint Louis University in 1995 and completed his Internal Medicine Residency, Cardiology Fellowship and Interventional Cardiology Fellowship at Saint Louis University Hospital. He received his doctorate in Cardiovascular Physiology and Biophysics from the University of Washington, where he studied the metabolic control of coronary blood and cardiac exercise physiology.