Press Date: 08/20/2009

                          Electrophysiologist joins MidOhio Cardiology and Vascular Consultants

Columbus, OH - The addition of electrophysiologist Sreedhard R. Billakanty, MD, strengthens and expands Riverside Methodist Hospital's nationally recognized heart program.

The 1997 graduate of Andhra Medical College in India specializes in electrophysiology, a sub-specialty of cardiology. Dr. Billakanty will treat patients at Riverside Methodist with abnormal heart rhythms, as well as implant pacemakers and defibrillators.

As a leading heart and heart surgery hospital in central Ohio, Riverside Methodist has one of the top electrophysiology (EP) labs in the country, averaging about 15 invasive and noninvasive procedures each day to diagnose and treat heart arrhythmias.

Riverside Methodist is one of the first hospitals in the world to use the Sensei Robotic Heart Catheter System to treat cardiac arrhythmias and the first in central Ohio to perform percutaneous atrial fibrillation ablations. Riverside Methodist has also pioneered cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), the use of biventricular devices to treat patients with heart failure and in addition, routinely performs lead extractions using two laser systems that can ablate scar tissue during the procedure.

Dr. Billakanty joined MidOhio Cardiology and Vascular Consultants (MOCVC) which is part of the OhioHealth Medical Specialty Foundation (MSF). MSF is the employed medical group of OhioHealth and includes more than 200 primary care and specialty physicians. MOCVC has 16 board-certified cardiologists specializing in electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, peripheral vascular disease, cardiovascular imaging, and congestive heart failure.

"We're very pleased to have Dr. Billakanty join our practice," said MidOhio Cardiology and Vascular Consultants corporate president Anthony Chapekis, MD. "His experience and interest in electrophysiology fits extremely well within a cardiology practice that has earned a national reputation for its clinical quality and comprehensive approach to providing patient care,"

Dr. Billakanty cited the facility and staff as his primary reasons for choosing to practice at Riverside Methodist as part of the MOCVC. "This hospital has well-established electrophysiology labs with state-of-the-art equipment and proficient, compassionate staff," said Dr. Billakanty. "MOCVC has a vibrant group of physicians who are providing innovative, comprehensive cardiovascular care to patients."

Medical Specialty Foundation
The OhioHealth Medical Specialty Foundation employs more than 200 physicians in primary care and a wide range of specialties, giving patients access to one of the best health systems in the nation. Members of the OhioHealth Medical Specialty Foundation serve on the medical staffs of OhioHealth's hospitals. Physicians in the Foundation collaborate closely with each other and their colleagues at OhioHealth's inpatient and outpatient care sites to develop the strategies and plans that result in patients receiving a comprehensive range of accessible, expert care.

The OhioHealth Medical Specialty Foundation was created with the patient in mind. The goal is to create an infrastructure that fosters and enables the delivery of the highest quality, most effective healthcare available. A seamless partnership with physicians helps us fulfill our mission to "improve the health of those we serve."

Riverside Methodist Hospital
Riverside Methodist Hospital, a member of OhioHealth, a nationally-recognized, not-for-profit charitable, healthcare organization serving and supported by the community that was named by FORTUNE Magazine as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2007, 2008 and 2009. Based in Columbus, Ohio, OhioHealth is a family of 17 hospitals, 20 health and surgery centers, home-health providers, medical equipment and health service suppliers throughout a 40-county area. OhioHealth hospitals in central Ohio are Riverside Methodist Hospital, Grant Medical Center, Doctors Hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital and Dublin Methodist Hospital. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.OhioHealth.com.
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