DOUGLAS COUNTY, Nev. – Carson Valley Health has announced the addition of a dedicated cardiology team to the CVH Cardiology Clinic and Cardiac Catheterization Lab in Gardnerville.
Along with board-certified cardiologists, Carson Valley Health has a state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratory, or cath lab, as part of the imaging services offered at the newly expanded hospital.
The Cardiology Clinic brings much-needed healthcare access close to home to better serve our community and the surrounding areas. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states adults in rural areas are at a greater risk of developing health issues, pointing out heart disease. One reason is less access to healthcare, but the CDC reports screenings, early detection, and healthy lifestyles can reduce one’s cardiovascular risks.
Exceptional care will be provided by three experienced providers.
Alban De Schutter, MD is a board-certified cardiologist and has practiced medicine since 2009. Fluent in English, and Dutch, and able to get by in French, Dr. De Schutter has published articles about cardiovascular health and obesity, among other subjects.
Coming from Belgium, and with a history in computer science, Dr. De Schutter says that the human heart and computers have a lot in common. “Cardiology is as close as you can come to an exact science. There is data to reference, and when you perform a procedure or administer medicine you can see the effect on the patient in real-time and they feel better almost every time.”
Chris Rowan, MD, FACC graduated from medical school in 2009 and has conducted ground-breaking research on heart disease in mummies in Bolivia. Dr. Rowan was awarded the 2019 Healthcare Hero Innovator Award for his work on the Healthy Nevada Project.
Growing up in Reno, Dr. Rowan worked as an engineer before attending medical school and specializing in cardiology. He has a passion for serving in rural Nevada. “A recent study shows that 46 percent of all counties in the US don’t have a cardiologist. Many patients don’t want to travel far for their healthcare, and they deserve a cardiologist. They deserve good healthcare,” said Dr. Rowan.
Deborah Baker, APRN, ACNP-BC started as a registered nurse in cardiology and then became a nurse practitioner. After working in pulmonary sleep medicine, “I went back to cardiology because I enjoyed the rapport you get with longstanding patients. From diagnosis to following them and how well they do with treatment.” When asked what it means to join the Carson Valley Health team she stated, “I’m excited for the opportunity to bring care and consistency out farther than Reno.”
All three providers agree that affecting the health of the patient, and then following up with them and getting to know them is the best part of the profession. They love getting to know each patient and getting updates about their families and lives. Said Dr. De Schutter “Here we get to identify the problem, fix it, and watch the patient improve.”
From diagnosis to treatment, CVH Cardiology offers a collaborative approach to taking care of your heart. To learn more or schedule an appointment, call the Cardiology Clinic at 775.364.1400.