Use the links below to find out more about our disciplines.

Allergy
A sensible approach to allergy management.

Allergy
Allergies can ruin more than just a perfect view. Untreated, they can lead to more serious conditions, including asthma, sinusitis or anaphylaxis.
Dr. Douglas A. Neeld is board-certified in internal medicine, allergy and immunology. His solution-minded approach to allergy management can help you take control of the symptoms of hay fever, asthma, stinging insect allergies, and other allergic conditions.
The Heart Center Medical Group's allergy services include:
• Shot Clinic
• Allergy and Asthma Clinic - adult and pediatric

The Heart Center Medical Group's services include:

• Shot Clinic
• Allergy and Asthma Clinic

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Cardiology
The Heart Center Medical Group continues to be a leader in the care and treatment of people with cardiovascular disease. Our team of cardiologists consistently demonstrate a commitment to innovative, effective treatments that can improve the quality of life for our patients and their families.

Our patients receive not only the skill and attention of our cardiologists, but also of our clinical and support staff providing integral services and diagnostic testing. Within our modern facility we can provide:

• Vascular Medicine Clinic download pdf
• Stress Treadmill Testing
• EKG's
• Echocardiography
• Holter Monitoring & Event Recording
• Nuclear Perfusion Studies
• Lab and Radiological services

If you or your physician ever have any questions, please ask. We believe it is vital for you and your primary care physician to be informed and involved to help you reach the best possible outcome.

The Heart Center Medical Group's services include:

• CMR Testing
• Echocardiography
• Event Recorders
• External Counter Pulsation (ECP)
• Holter Monitoring
• Nuclear Diagnostics
  • Adenosine Stress Testing
  • Dobutamine Stress Testing
• Stress Echocardiography
• Treadmill Testing
• Cardioversion
• Heart Biopsy
• Ablation
• Electrophysiology Study
• Transesophageal Study
• Heart Catheterization
• Endografts for AAA
• AICD
• Tilt Table Testing
• Angioplasty - cardiac and peripheral (renal, carotid,lower extremeties)
• Stenting - cardiac and peripheral (renal, carotid, lower extremeties)
• Pacemakers - single, dual chambers and bi-ventricular
• ASD/PFO Closures
• IVC Filters

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Electrophysiology
Cardiac electrophysiologist: A cardiologist who specializes in diagnosing and treating irregular heart rhythms caused by problems with the heart’s electrical system. Cardiac electrophysiology is considered a subspecialty of cardiology.

Cardiac electrophysiology is the science of the electrical activities of specific regions of the heart. The heart has its own normal rhythm, brought about by the flow of electrical impulses throughout the organ. This electrical flow begins in the heart's natural “pacemaker” (also known as the sinoatrial node) in the upper right chamber of the heart, the right atrium. The electricity flows through the upper chambers (atria), crosses the bridge between upper and lower chambers (atrioventricular node) and then travels to the lower chambers (ventricles). This passage of electricity results in a carefully coordinated contraction of the heart muscle, which forces blood throughout the body. Problems in this precise flow of electricity lead to arrhythmias.

An electrophysiology study, or “EP study,” is an invasive (intracardiac) recording of spontaneous cardiac activity, as well as of cardiac responses to programmed electrical stimulation. These studies provide detailed information regarding the abnormal electrical flow pathways through the heart, and offer valuable diagnostic and, therefore, treatment information. Because potentially dangerous arrhythmias are triggered during an EP study, a physician electrophysiologist, with advanced training in the diagnosis and treatment of heart rhythm disturbances, performs the study. The electrophysiologist directs a team of specially trained healthcare professionals who assist during the procedure. The team performs the EP study in an electrophysiology laboratory, within the hospital. As a result, the test is relatively safe and complications are rare. EP studies can help locate the specific areas of the heart that cause the abnormal electrical impulses that lead to arrhythmias. Treatment methods (typically radiofrequency ablation) can be performed in the EP lab, in addition to just diagnostic procedures.

Radiofrequency ablation is a procedure where radiofrequency energy (low-voltage, high frequency electricity) is targeted (through catheters that are threaded into the heart) toward the area or areas causing the abnormal heart rhythm, permanently damaging small areas of tissue. The damaged tissue is no longer capable of generating or conducting electrical impulses, which prevents the arrhythmia from being generated.

Other treatment options available include antiarrhythmic drug therapy and implantation of pacemakers and implantable cardiac-defibrillators. EP studies can:

• Find the source of arrhythmia symptoms
• Evaluate the effectiveness of certain medications in controlling the arrhythmia
• Predict the risk of a future cardiac events, such as Sudden Cardiac Death
• Assess the need for an implantable device (a pacemaker or ICD) or treatment procedure (radio frequency catheter ablation)

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Endocrinology
Endocrinology is the study of the endocrine system. The endocrine system is a complex system of glands, which are organs that secrete hormones. These are substances that help to control activities in the body. Hormones act as chemical messengers, controlling many basic functions, such as growth and development, reproduction, utilization of food by the body, blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and fluid balance. Hormones control the way individuals respond to their surroundings, and help provide the proper amount of energy and nutrition needed to function. The endocrine glands include the thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes, adrenal, pituitary and hypothalamus.

Endocrinologists are trained to recognize glandular disorders and provide treatments that help restore the natural hormonal balance. Endocrinologists also conduct basic research to learn more about glands and hormones so that new drugs and treatments may be developed. Conditions treated by endocrinologists include:

• Diabetes
• Thyroid diseases
• Metabolism
• Hormonal imbalances
• Menopause
• Osteoporosis
• Hypertension
• Cholesterol (lipid) disorders
• Infertility and birth control
• Shortness (short stature)
• Cancers of the glands

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Gastroenterology
The digestive system is a marvelously complex and diverse system. Correctly identifying and treating disorders requires years of experience and access to the latest diagnostic techniques.

Cancer, acid reflux, liver disorders, irritable bowel syndrome; these are just a few of the digestive disorders that can have a drastic effect on your quality of life. In some cases, these conditions can be life threatening, if not found early and treated appropriately.

The team at Heart Center Medical Group has created a colorectal screening program designed to aid in the early detection of colon cancer. Please contact us if you, or someone you know may be at risk. The test is covered by most insurance programs. Early detection is key to the successful treatment of many cancers.

The Heart Center Medical Group's services include:

• Capsule Endoscopy
• Open Access Screening Colonoscopy
• Colonoscopy
• Colonoscopy Hotline 260 434-6065
• EGD
• EGD with Wireless 48 Hour pH Studies
• Enterra Gastric Pacemaker
• Enteryx Procedure
• ERCP
• Hepatitis Treatment
• Liver Biopsy
• Esophageal Dilation

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Hospitalist
The term “Hospitalist” defines physicians whose practice emphasizes providing care for hospitalized patients. The term was coined by Drs. Robert Wachter and Lee Goldman in an August 1996 New England Journal of Medicine article.

Hospitalists assume the care of hospitalized patients in the place of patients' primary care physician. In the most prevalent American Hospitalist model, several doctors practice together as a group and work full-time (24/7) caring for inpatients. Their responsibilities in addition to patient care can include teaching, research, and leadership related to Hospital Medicine. By focusing their practice on the care of hospitalized patients, Hospitalists can gain a great deal of experience in the unique aspects of a patient’s needs during hospitalization. Hospitalists typically spend most of their work day in the hospital, and, as a result, can be more readily available to a hospitalized patient than a physician who spends much of the day in an office or clinic setting outside of the hospital.

The Hospitalist concept is not un-familiar to medical practice. Doctors specializing in intensive care (Intensivists) have long taken care of patients admitted to intensive care units by their primary care doctors. The majority of practicing Hospitalists (including our physicians) specialize in internal medicine.

Our Hospitalists currently cover Dupont Hospital, and will be covering Lutheran Hospital in the very near future.

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Infectious Disease
Doctors who specialize in the medical treatment of infectious disease are called infectious disease specialists. Their extensive training focuses on all kinds of infections, including those caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Generally, infections are initially diagnosed by primary care physicians or internal medicine specialists.

The services of the infectious disease team are called for when:

• A fever raises the suspicion that the patient may have an infection, when an infection is potentially serious, or when problems occur with treatment;
• The disease has not been definitively diagnosed after an initial workup;
• The patient is immuno-compromised (for example, in patients with HIV or who have received chemotherapy);
• The infectious agent is of an uncommon nature (e.g. tropical diseases);
• The disease has not responded to first line antibiotics;
• The disease might be dangerous to other patients, and the patient might have to be isolated.

Treatments consist of medicines- typically antibiotics - that help fight the infection and prevent it from recurring. These medicines may be given in the form of pills or liquids or administered directly via an IV. Many infectious disease specialists have IV antibiotic therapy available in their offices, which decreases the likelihood that hospitalization for these treatments will be necessary.

Infectious disease specialists have additional training in immunology (how the body fights infection), epidemiology (how infections spread) and infection control.

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Internal Medicine
From eating disorders to diabetes to cancer, our team of internal medicine specialists care for a wide range of serious, even life-threatening conditions.

Internal medicine is a specialty that requires, not only years of clinical training and experience, but also the commitment of a great detective. Reading test results and understanding the implications, is an acquired skill that only years of experience can bring.

Please take a few minutes to read the biographies of our internal medicine physicians. Along with our clinical support staff, these men and women are dedicated to accurate diagnostic testing and safe, appropriate treatment.

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Pulmonology
Full service sleep program with physicians board certified in sleep disorders.

Disorders of the respiratory system can present life-long challenges.

Emphysema, unfortunately, is reaching epidemic proportions as a generation of smokers grows older. Emphysema robs people of the freedom to enjoy leisurely walks or the ability to walk a flight of stairs. Though there is no cure for emphysema, there are treatment options available that, in some cases, can return a more normal quality of life.

Please take a few minutes to read about our team of pulmonologists. Blending years of medical training with experience and 'common sense' medicine, our physicians can help you safely enjoy as active a lifestyle as possible.

The Heart Center Medical Group's services include:

• Bronchoscopy
• Cardio-Pulmonary Treadmill w/ Oximetry
• Chest Tube Thoracoscopy
• Percutaneous tracheostomy
• Thoracentisis
• Overnight Oximetry
• Pulmonary Function Testing
• Critical Care Procedures

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Rheumatology
Rheumatology addresses painful, often debilitating inflammation of the joints. Often, rheumatoid arthritis is thought of as 'just part of getting older'. While rheumatoid arthritis is most commonly found in seniors, it can occur in people of nearly any age.

The only common traits are pain and loss of mobility.

Thanks to a new treatment available at the Heart Center Medical Group, this doesn't have to be the case. Our board-certified rheumatologists may be able to help, not only relieve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, but actually slow or stop the progression of the disease.
Please take a few minutes to read about the extensive training, education and experience of our rheumatologists. You'll see that they have dedicated themselves to the care and treatment of people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis.

The Heart Center Medical Group's services include:

• Remicaid Infusion
• Joint Aspirations and Injections

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