News

DeGraff Medical Park

445 Tremont Street North Tonawanda, NY 14120

(716) 694-4500

Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo

818 Ellicott Street Buffalo, NY 14203

(716) 323-2000

Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital

1540 Maple Road Williamsville, NY 14221

(716) 568-3600

Bradford Regional Medical Center/Olean General Hospital

116 Interstate Parkway Bradford, PA 16701

(814) 368-4143

Trial of Cannabidiol for Drug-Resistant Seizures in the Dravet Syndrome

Education & Prevention

We believe that the first step toward prevention is education. That is why we take a proactive approach to prevention. We offer a variety of programs and services to the public before they become patients. While physicians, students and staff instill confidence in people to make healthy decisions, everyone benefits from the learning experience with a positive attitude about health care.

Adult

Pediatric

Home Care Services

The talented, experienced nurses of the Visiting Nursing Association (VNA) and the VNA Home Care Services can provide at-home services on a day-to-day basis. The VNA is united in its mission to provide compassionate, high-quality and cost-effective home health care to the Western New York community.

Laboratory Services

The clinical laboratories of Kaleida Health play a critical role in the care of our patients. Without their expertise, physicians wouldn't know whether a disease or condition exists and to what extent. A patient's treatment plan is in large part based on the findings of the our highly specialized team of laboratory scientists and technicians.

Long-term Care

Aging is an inevitable process, a continuous period that can be spiritual, joyous and fulfilling. We can provide a comfortable setting complete with required amenities and services for those who need extra care. Our long-term care facilities accommodate short or long-term care with several locations to serve the Western New York area.

Maternity/Women's Services

Women have a special set of needs that change throughout the life cycle. Women's Services at WCHOB provide comprehensive care for any medical concern. From birthing classes to mammograms, we advance the health of women with dedicated service

Outpatient Centers

Outpatient Centers provide medical care, rehabilitation or tests without the need for an overnight stay in a hospital. In some cases, the experience is similar to a standard visit to your primary care physician. In other cases, testing, rehabilitation or other activities needed for your unique healthcare needs may make your visit a bit longer. Your healthcare provider can give you an estimate of the time you will need to allot for your visit.

Rehabilitation Services

Kaleida Health Rehabilitation programs are designed to provide comprehensive rehabilitation for adults. Our goal is to help patients maximize their recovery from injury or illness with a combination of individualized physical, occupational and speech therapies.

Support Services

Many of our most important services happen behind the scenes. Volunteers, human resources, plant operations and safety, just to name a few, are services that make Kaleida Health the premier health care system in Western New York. Their reinforcement, protection and assistance uphold the mission and goals of our organization.

Comprehensive Epilepsy Program

Our Comprehensive Epilepsy Program offers a broad range of evaluation services and sophisticated therapies for children and adults suffering from seizures. Our state-of-the-art 12-bed James H. Cummings Foundation Epilepsy Monitoring Center is housed at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo and is the only center of its kind in Western New York. Our program serves both children and adults and has been recognized as a Level 4 Center by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) consecutively since 2012.

From the initial evaluation to follow-up care, we promote the overall well-being of our patients and help them understand and live well with their condition. Our dedicated and highly-specialized team is comprised of adult and pediatric epileptologists, neurosurgeons, nurses and nurse practitioners, neuro-psychologists, experts in imaging, skilled technicians, a specialized dietician, as well as a clinical research program.

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy through compassionate care and specialized medical treatment. We accomplish this through comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis, individualized treatment plans, patient and family education, research initiatives and follow-up care.

News & Updates

Epilepsy Center Recognized as Level 4 Center by NAEC

The James H. Cummings Foundation Epilepsy Monitoring Center at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo (GCH Buffalo) has been recognized by The National Association of Epilepsy Centers (NAEC) as a Level 4 Center for 2022-2023. The Epilepsy Monitoring Center has received this accreditation consecutively since 2012.

A Level 4 epilepsy center provides the more complex forms of intensive neurodiagnostic monitoring, as well as more extensive medical, neuropsychological, and psychosocial treatment. Level 4 centers also offer a complete evaluation for epilepsy surgery, including intracranial electrodes and a broad range of surgical procedures for epilepsy.

Inauguration of State-of-the-Art 12-Bed Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo

With the move to Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo on the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU) has expanded to 12 large, spacious rooms dedicated to patients with epilepsy. The EMU is located on the 12th floor and boasts beautiful views of lake Erie and the Buffalo skyline. Rooms feature an additional bed for caregivers and two televisions - one for the patient and one for the caregiver.

Expansion of Epilepsy Surgery Program

Jonathan Riley, MD has joined the faculty of UBMD Neurosurgery, spearheading the functional neurosurgery and adult epilepsy program. Dr. Riley has vast experience with novel procedures in epilepsy surgery, including stereotactic placement of s EEG electrodes for presurgcial evaluation of epilepsy surgery, placement of subdural electrodes, implantation of RNS (NeuroPace) and laser guided ablation therapy. These procedures have already begun at Kaleida Health. Many patients with refractory epilepsy are not candidates for these procedures.

SEEG (Stereotactic EEG)

Over the last years, a novel diagnostic technique of stereotactic EEG (SEEG) evaluation for patients with refractory epilepsy has been in place in advanced comprehensive epilepsy centers. The procedure is typically performed after the patient completes a comprehensive evaluation including video EEG monitoring, high resolution brain MRI, neuropsychological testing and PET scan. In many such cases, the epileptogenic regions remain uncertain and additional evaluation is needed to allow for epilepsy surgery. The placement of SEEG electrodes is well tolerated and has a low rate of complications. This technique is also more accurate as it allows recording on the surface as well as of on deep structures of the brain. The SEEG procedure consist of placements of stereotactic EEG electrodes in different brain regions. The placement of these electrodes can be performed by using a robotic arm or under a stereotactic frame. About 10-20 such electrodes are placed at different brain regions.

The results of SEEG evaluation will allow in the majority of cases, to pursue epilepsy surgery: whether craniotomy for cortical resection, laser guided ablation, NeuroPace implantation or VNS.

We have identified many patients that are candidates for this procedure within our program, and we believe there are many such patients in the community that can be referred for SEEG evaluation and that could benefit from SEEG.

SEEG Information

Laser Ablation

Kaleida Health is pleased to offer our epilepsy patients the leading technologic advancements in epilepsy surgery, including Visualase. Visualase is a laser therapy that can be utilized in patients who have a localized abnormality in the brain suspected as the source of their seizure activity. The laser is introduced through a very small incision making it minimally invasive. Using real time MRI scanning to monitor the procedure, the laser is able to heat and destroy the targeted brain tissue and minimize the risk to the surrounding healthy brain tissue. Over 1,000 procedures have been performed nationwide with encouraging initial results for conditions such as mesial temporal sclerosis, cortical dyplasias, tuberous sclerosis, hypothalamic hamartomas and more. This minimally invasive technique typically allows for shorter hospital stays, lower infectious risks, minimal cosmetic changes and quicker recovery times for those who are candidates. Dr. Renee Reynolds, Pediatric Neurosurgeon at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo has expertise in Visualase and has performed several laser ablations on patients throughout Western New York.

NeuroPace (RNS)

Some patients with focal epilepsy and refractory seizures cannot undergo epilepsy surgery when the seizure focus is located adjacent to important cortical function, such as speech and language. Performing surgeries in such cases would cause unwanted neurological deficits. Other patients may have epilepsy arising from both temporal lobes (bi-temporal epilepsy), and cannot benefit from surgery. In such cases, an additional option to relieve seizures consist of placement of NeuroPace leads adjacent to a seizure focus and a pacemaker-like device in the skull. When a seizure is recognized, the pacemaker will be activated and “fire back” at the seizure focus, and by this abort the seizure.

NeuroPace Information

Components and programming of the NeuroPace RNS Thomas, George P. and Jobst, Barbara C. Medical Devices: Evidence and Research. Critical review of the responsive neurostimulator system for epilepsy. 2015; 8: 405–411.

Components and programming of the NeuroPace RNS.

Notes: (A) The RNS on skull X-ray. (B) Example of a bilateral hippocampal implantation. (C) Interrogation of the device with the wireless wand and the programmer. (D) ECoG and time-frequency analysis from the device with detection of an epileptic seizure and stimulation delivered (vertical lines).

Abbreviations: ECoG, electrocorticogram; FFT, fast Fourier transform; RNS, responsive neurostimulator.

RNS stimulator with depth and surface electrodes Thomas, George P. and Jobst, Barbara C. Medical Devices: Evidence and Research. Critical review of the responsive neurostimulator system for epilepsy. 2015; 8: 405–411.

RNS stimulator with depth and surface electrodes.

Notes: Example of a patient with both neocortical surface electrodes and hippocampal depth electrodes.

Abbreviation: RNS, responsive neurostimulator.### $1 Million Gift Will Establish the James H. Cummings Foundation Epilepsy Monitoring Center

A $1 million gift to establish a 12-bed state-of-the-art Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at the James H. Cummings Foundation Epilepsy Monitoring Center at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo was presented at Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.

"The James H. Cummings Foundation believes that ‘having a state-of-the-art hospital focused on children's and adult's needs is critical to our community”. The new hospital being located on the medical campus will bring a tremendous opportunity for the medical community and higher education to collaborate in ways we can't even imagine today,” stated Charles F. Kreiner, Jr., president of the James H. Cummings Foundation.

Medical Marijuana

Cannabidiol (CBD) is the most abundant non-psychoactive cannabinoid in cannabis. The Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) is formulated from extracts from the Cannabis sativa L. plants that have a defined chemical profile and contain consistent levels of CBD as the main phytocannabinoid. Animal studies have demonstrated anticonvulsant efficacy in multiple species and models. Anecdotal reports and recent open label reports have suggested CBD to be effective in children with treatment-resistant epilepsies, especially Dravet syndrome. An open label study found CBD to have a promising efficacy and safety profile in children with a variety of epilepsy syndromes. Children and young adults with Dravet syndrome appeared to have the greatest reduction in seizures, but atonic seizures also respond well.

We have started participation in multi-center double blind placebo controlled adjunctive therapy studies with CBD for patients with Lennox Gastaut and Dravet Syndrome.

We look forward to continue our research utilizing CBD in our efforts to help patients with refractory seizures.

For more information on cannabidiol use for treatment in patients with Dravet Syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, please read the following two articles from the New England Journal of Medicine:

Effect of Cannabidiol on Drop Seizures in the Lennox–Gastaut Syndrome

Patient Portal - Preparing for Your Visit

Dear patient or caretaker:

Thank you for choosing Kaleida Health for your care! If you have been scheduled for admission to the James H. Cummings Foundation Epilepsy Monitoring Center at Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo, please read through the information below to help prepare you for your visit.

preparing for visit The Epilepsy Monitoring Center is located on the 12th floor of Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo, 818 Ellicott Street in Buffalo, NY. Upon arrival to the hospital, please stop at the security desk on the first floor to get a pass for the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit**. Our admission registrar will visit you in your room on the 12th floor to complete the process.

Any individual who stays with you needs to be a minimum of 18 years of age. If the person who may be staying with you has a medical condition that you would like us to be aware of for their safety, please communicate this with us.

The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit has limited space and all admissions are arranged in advance. Please notify us if you anticipate that you will not be able to keep this appointment. If you are unable to keep your appointment please call the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit at (716) 323-1250 as soon as possible. This is important because we can then schedule another patient in need who has been waiting for their essential diagnostic testing. Enclosed please find a packet that will answer your general questions about the unit and your stay.

Please also bring any MRI CD you have had if they were not done at any Kaleida Health site. Please bring with you any medications that you are currently taking. This includes non-seizure medications as well. These medications need to be in their original container.

If you have any questions about this admission please call (716) 323-1250 and we will be glad to assist you.

Care Team

Our team is dedicated to improving the lives of people with epilepsy. We have a diverse range of backgrounds and experience at some of the most advanced epilepsy centers in the country. Our team meets on a regular basis and works together to provide patients with excellence in comprehensive care.

Epileptologists

Arie L. Weinstock, MD

Director, Comprehensive Epilepsy Program

Ping Li, MD

Director, Adult Epilepsy Program Epilepsy Fellowship Program Director

Susan L. Kerr, MD

Pediatric Epilepsy

Sarah G. Finnegan, MD, PhD

Pediatric Epilepsy Child Neurology Residency Director

Robert L. Glover, MD

Adult Epilepsy

Osman Farooq, MD

Pediatric Epilepsy

Epilepsy Neurosurgeons

Veetai Li, MD

Chief, Pediatric Neurosurgery

Renee Reynolds, MD

Jonathan Riley, MD

Functional Neurosurgery, Kaleida Health, Adult Epilepsy Surgery

Neuroimaging

David Hojnacki, MD

MRI

Robert Miletich, MD, PhD

PET, Ictal SPECT

Neuropsychology

Joy Parrish, PhD

Stuti J. Tambar, MD, FACS*

Specialized Diets

Cynthia Gillogly, RD

Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant

Susan Rydzyk, PA

Lisa Beckwith, FNP

Natasha Kleiman, FNP

Research Study Coordinator

Deanna Hamilton

Patient Stories

Meet Casey: A Happy Teenager

Casey was diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis in early childhood and suffered from seizures for many years. Sometimes she experienced multiple seizures in a single day, preventing her from enjoying life as a teenager should. She had tried several anti-epileptic medications, which had adverse side effects and did not effectively control her seizures.

After careful evaluation, our team determined that she would be a promising candidate for epilepsy surgery. Casey spent time in our video-EEG monitoring unit to analyze where in the brain her seizures originated. Casey then underwent an initial surgery with placement of special EEG electrodes directly on the brain to further pinpoint the different seizure foci. After this extensive evaluation, Casey and her family decided to move forward with surgery to remove two different seizure foci.

The surgery was a great success! Casey has been seizure-free since her surgery. She is a successful college student and has been driving for many years.

Sean’s struggles finally overcome!

Sean is a 19-year-old man with a history of CNS inflammation (ADEM) at age 5 years. He presented with refractory complex partial seizures at age 8 years. Sean had failed 4 different anti-epileptic drugs, and was still having 1-2 debilitating seizures a week despite treatment. He underwent a comprehensive epilepsy evaluation and it was determined that although he had numerous abnormalities on brain MRI, the seizures were originating from the left hippocampus. Sean underwent successfully laser guided ablation therapy of the left hippocampus and has been seizure free since. After the ablation surgery, the anti-epileptic drugs have been significantly reduced. He is now looking forward going to college.

Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship

The Neurology Department at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo is sponsoring three yearly ACGME accredited clinical neurophysiology fellowships. The fellowship provides an extraordinary experience in adult and child epilepsy including a wide variety of EEG studies, epilepsy management, pre-surgical evaluation, invasive monitoring, and evoked potentials. We are a Level IV member of the NAEC Association with a state-of-the-art 12-bed long term monitoring unit. The EMG training is an outstanding program with a diverse faculty of four neuromuscular attendings, including the department chairman.

The clinical neurophysiology fellowship is a one year ACGME approved program for PGY V child or adult neurologists, and fulfills the requirements for taking the certifying examination in clinical neurophysiology from the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. Applicants must have completed an accredited neurology training program. Interested applicants are requested to send their CV, Personal Statement, and reference letters.

EE/AAE

For inquiries please contact:

Ping Li, MD Neurophysiology Fellowship Program Director Department of Neurology Buffalo General Medical Center 100 High Street Buffalo, NY 14203 pli6@buffalo.edu

Eva Tamoga Assistant to the Chairman (716) 859-3496 Fax: (716) 859-7833

Outpatient Locations

Adult Patients

Evaluation, treatment and care is provided at the adult epilepsy center at:

UBMD Neurology Conventus Building 1001 Main Street, 4th Floor Buffalo, NY 14203 (716) 829-5050

5851 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221 (716) 932-6080

Infant, Child and Adolescent Patients

Evaluation, treatment, and care is provided at:

Golisano Children’s Buffalo Outpatient Center (Conventus) 3rd Floor 1001 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14203 (716) 323-6150 Fax: (716) 323-6674

UBMD Neurology 5851 Main Street Williamsville, NY 14221 (716) 932-6080 ext. 100

Treatment

There are many treatment options to reduce seizures and improve the quality of life for people with epilepsy. After careful evaluation, an individualized treatment program is formulated for the best possible seizure control. Our team specializes in treating the most complex cases of epilepsy with the following treatment options:

Medical Treatment

Frequently, it is possible to reduce or stop refractory seizures with anti-epileptic medications after a comprehensive long-term delineates the seizure and epilepsy type. Many patients who had uncontrolled seizures on anti-epileptic medications can be helped by using the appropriate anti-epileptic drugs. Other patients may be helped by other therapies such as specialized diets or enrollment in clinical trials.

We have recently started a series of clinical studies with medical marijuana for the treatment of refractory epilepsies.

Surgical Treatment

When medical treatments are not effectively controlling seizures, patients may undergo an extensive evaluation to determine if surgery is a recommended option. Surgeries performed include temporal lobectomies, lesionectomies, 2-stage epilepsy surgery with invasive video-EEG evaluation (SEEG or surbdural grids), RNS-Neuropace, laser guided ablation therapy, and vagal nerve stimulator.

Regional Epilepsy Monitoring Center

Part of the comprehensive epilepsy program, the James H. Cummings Foundation Epilepsy Monitoring Center is a 12-bed state-of-the-art center which allows for digital video and EEG monitoring of a patient’s physical and brain activity 24-hours a day. The Center serves both children and adults and is housed on the 12th floor of Golisano Children's Hospital of Buffalo.

Services

Thorough evaluation of seizures and classification of the type of epilepsy in children and adults
Comprehensive 24-hour video-EEG monitoring and analysis in our state-of-the-art Regional Epilepsy Monitoring Center
Radiological & nuclear imaging (high resolution MRI, PET and Ictal SPECT, MEG referral)
Comprehensive evaluation for epilepsy surgery
Epilepsy surgery, including implantation of stereotactic depth EEG (SEEG) electrodes or subdural grids/strips to map seizure focus and map the motor and language functions, laser guided ablation therapy for removal of a discrete seizure focus, Response Neuro Stimulation (RNS/neuropace). A robotic arm to implant SEEG electrodes will be available in the near future.
Neuropsychological evaluations
Individualized treatment plans and follow-up care, such as ketogenic diet, vagal nerve stimulation , referral for epilepsy surgery including RNS
Enrollment in clinical trials using newly developed anti-epileptic medications and medical marijuana (Cannabidiol)

Congratulations to our 2025 Buffalo Spree Top Doctors | News | General Physician | Buffalo, NY

Updated: Monday, January 01, 0001 12:00 AM

Congratulations to our 2025 Buffalo Spree Top Doctors

Congratulations to our 2025 Buffalo Spree Top Doctors Congratulations to the following General Physician, PC; Great Lakes Cardiovascular; and Great Lakes Cancer Care Collaborative physicians on being named to the Buffalo Spree 2025 Top Doctors list. The full list is now available in the magazine’s first issue of 2025.

Physicians included in Buffalo Spree’s 2025 Top Doctors list were nominated by peers in a survey conducted by Professional Research Services (PRS), a nationally known company based in Troy, Michigan. The list includes MDs and DOs only, all of whom were screened and selected with verification of licensing and review of any infractions through various applicable boards and agencies. Listings in Top Doctors cannot be purchased.

Being named to this list is a great honor for our physicians amongst their peers and patients in the Western New York community. Please join us in congratulating our GPPC honorees and thanking them for the high standard of medical care they provide.

General Physician, PC Honorees

Breast Surgery

Cardiology

Reza Banifatemi, MD

Ashish Bhatia, MD

Ranjan Bhayana, MD

Laura Ford-Mukkamala, DO, FACC

Cardiac Surgery

Janerio Aldridge, MD, FACS

Hashmat Ashraf, MD

Gary Grosner, MD

Colorectal Surgery

Timothy M. Adams, MD*

Steven M. Barone, MD*

Mark Falvo, MD*

Jessica Martinolich, MD*

Joseph Mills, MD*

Jeffrey J. Visco, MD*

Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism

Karen Giardino, MD

Internal Medicine

Richard Charles, MD

Family Medicine

Nisha Sharma, MD

Jennifer A. Yerke-McNamara, MD

Gastroenterology

Ramon E. Rivera, MD*

Gina Sparacino Mangione, MD

General Surgery

Timothy M. Adams, MD*

Csaba Gajdos, MD, FACS, FSSO*

Gynecologic Oncology

Stacey Akers, MD, MBA, FACOG*

Hospice & Palliative Medicine

Anne Banas, MD

Obstetrics & Gynecology

Jennie Dembski, MD

Brittanny Keeler, DO, NCMP

J'Leise Sosa, MD, MPH, FACOG

Pulmonary Disease

James Lampasso, MD

Jeffery R. Neu, MD

Celestino Pietrantoni, DO

Thoracic Surgery

Yaron Perry, MD, FACS*

*Great Lakes Cancer Care Physician

To review the full list, visit Buffalo Spree.

BGMC/GVI Implants TriClip™ Device to Repair Leaky Tricuspid Heart Valve | News | General Physician | Buffalo, NY

Updated: Sunday, December 29, 2024 4:42 PM

BGMC/GVI Implants TriClip™ Device to Repair Leaky Tricuspid Heart Valve

BGMC/GVI Implants TriClip™ Device to Repair Leaky Tricuspid Heart Valve Buffalo General Medical Center/Gates Vascular Institute is one of the first 15 sites nationwide and the first hospital in Western New York to have commercial access to TriClip™, which marks a revolutionary shift in treating patients with a leaky tricuspid valve, or tricuspid regurgitation (TR), eliminating the need for open-heart surgery. TriClip™ stands as the first FDA-approved therapy of its kind, boasting unparalleled safety and efficacy for patients.

“The introduction of the TriClip™ TEER system represents a significant advancement in our ability to combat tricuspid regurgitation, a condition historically fraught with limited treatment options and significant risks,” said Dr. Vijay Iyer, MD, PhD, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Kaleida Health and interventional cardiologist with General Physician, PC. “By offering a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery, the TriClip™ device not only mitigates the burdensome symptoms associated with TR but also marks a new era in precision medicine. This first successful implantation underscores the transformative potential of cutting-edge technologies in reshaping the landscape of cardiovascular care, reaffirming our commitment to delivering the highest standard of care to our patients."

TriClip™ is seamlessly delivered to the heart via a catheter inserted through the femoral vein in the leg. Its mechanism involves delicately clipping together a segment of the tricuspid valve leaflets, mitigating the backward flow of blood. Tailored for the intricacies of the right side of the heart and the tricuspid valve's anatomy, this cutting-edge system empowers physicians to precisely address valve dysfunction, thus optimizing cardiac function and alleviating symptoms of TR, substantially enhancing the quality of life for patients.

Tricuspid valve regurgitation, characterized by improper closure between the right ventricle and right atrium, exacts a heavy toll on individuals, manifesting in debilitating symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. Left untreated, it may precipitate severe conditions like atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure, posing potentially fatal risks. Historically, treatment options were limited to high-risk open-heart surgery or ineffective long-term medical therapy. Abbott’s TriClip™ device heralds a much-needed paradigm shift, offering a minimally invasive lifeline to those suffering from TR.

To learn more about the TriClip TEER system, visit buffalogeneral.org.

Great Lakes Cardiovascular Thanksgiving Office Hours | News | General Physician | Buffalo, NY

Monday, November 25, 2024 3:31 PM

Great Lakes Cardiovascular Thanksgiving Office Hours

Four steps to prioritize your heart health, this February and beyond | News | General Physician | Buffalo, NY

Updated: Monday, January 01, 0001 12:00 AM

Four steps to prioritize your heart health, this February and beyond

Four steps to prioritize your heart health, this February and beyond It’s American Heart Month! Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States (and has been for the last 100 years)?

Each year in February, the medical community comes together to educate on how a heart-healthy lifestyle can largely prevent life-altering and life-threatening cardiac events.

Here are four steps you can take to prioritize your heart health!

Know your numbers.

Schedule a heart health check-up to understand your blood pressure, cholesterol, and other vital numbers. You may elect to speak to your primary care provider about your heart health first, or you can reach out to a cardiac specialist at an expert practice like Great Lakes Cardiovascular.

Nourish your heart.

Discover the power of incorporating heart-healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins into your diet regularly and consistently.

Let’s get moving!

Whether it’s a brisk walk, dance class, or yoga, regular exercise strengthens your heart muscle. Research also shows that aerobic activity can lower your risk for coronary artery disease, including heart attacks.

Show yourself some love.

Take a moment for self-care, including finding successful ways to manage stress, ensure a good night’s rest, and foster positive relationships in your life. Not only will it improve your quality of life — but it also impacts your physical health.

Stress puts extra strain on heart muscles by causing an increase in heart rate, increase in blood pressure, and release of stress hormones like adrenaline. This is why unnecessary stress over time is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Your heart is in good hands with Great Lakes Cardiovascular.

Great Lakes Cardiovascular is a physician group that employs 100+ of Western New York’s top cardiology providers, at several office locations across the region.

With a wide spectrum of provider knowledge and subspecialities, Great Lakes Cardiovascular manages care for the full range of cardiovascular conditions, across both inpatient and outpatient settings. Our team of providers sees patients at multiple outpatient clinics and hospital across WNY and Bradford, PA, so wherever you’re located, there’s quality cardiac care close by.

Schedule an appointment with Great Lakes Cardiovascular!

Looking for an expert opinion on your cardiac care? Call us at (716) 710-8266 to learn more.

Great Lakes Cardiovascular expands access with new Olean office This article was originally published on November 12, 2024 by the Olean Times Herald.

Great Lakes Cardiovascular expands access with new Olean office | News | General Physician | Buffalo, NY

Updated: Monday, January 01, 0001 12:00 AM

Great Lakes Cardiovascular expands access with new Olean office

OLEAN — Great Lakes Cardiovascular announces the opening of its new office at 401 N. Eighth St. in Olean, bringing expanded access to top-tier cardiovascular care right to the heart of the Southern Tier.

This new office reinforces the organization’s commitment to providing accessible, specialized heart health services to the greater Olean community.

About Great Lakes Cardiovascular

As the only cardiology group in the area providing care at Olean General Hospital and a trusted partner to Bradford (Pa.) Regional Medical Center, Great Lakes Cardiovascular ensures residents can access a full spectrum of cardiovascular expertise close to home.

This new location offers comprehensive general and interventional cardiology services, including advanced care for artial fibrillation (AFib), congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease and hypertension.

Employed Physicians at the Great Lakes Cardiovascular Olean office

Leading the Olean team is renowned interventional cardiologist Dr. Christopher Michaeles, MD, FACC, joined by the practice’s latest addition, Dr. Haneen Ismail, MD.

Dr. Ismail, a highly skilled general cardiologist, is fellowship-trained in advanced and structural echocardiography and comes from the prestigious Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program at George Washington University.

The Olean office also offers in-house cardiac consultations and electrocardiography (EKG) services with additional diagnostic testing and treatments coordinated through Olean General — home to the region’s only interventional cardiac catheterization lab and a designated heart attack receiving center.

Schedule a cardiology consultation in Olean!

Great Lakes Cardiovascular is now accepting new patients in Olean. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (716) 373-3544.

GVI Completes First Cardiac Ablation Procedure | News | General Physician | Buffalo, NY

Updated: Monday, January 01, 0001 12:00 AM

GVI Completes First Cardiac Ablation Procedure

GVI Completes First Cardiac Ablation Procedure Chee Kim, MD, and Ashish Bhatia, MD, electrophysiologists at Great Lakes Cardiovascular and BGMC/GVI, were the first physicians to employ the new technology. BGMC/GVI is the first hospital between Cleveland and New York City and one of only 10 hospitals in the Northeast to use this technology.

“Having been in EP practice for close to 20 and 30 years, we have never been more excited about a new technology than pulsed field ablation,” said Dr. Kim and Dr. Bhatia. “More than 70% of our practice involves managing atrial fibrillation patients. Being able to offer this groundbreaking technology to our patients in Western New York before 99% of hospitals in the country have access to it is very satisfying and reflective of our mission at the GVI. It is by far the safest and most effective tool for treating patients with atrial fibrillation.”

The FARAPULSE PFA System is a unique new alternative to standard-of-care thermal ablation. A non-thermal approach for the treatment of drug-refractory, recurrent, symptomatic, paroxysmal (i.e., intermittent) atrial fibrillation (AF), it is proven to be an effective treatment option for patients while minimizing risks associated with thermal ablation.

During a traditional ablation procedure, a catheter is guided to the interior of the heart and generates extreme temperatures – hot or cold – to destroy targeted areas in the heart associated with abnormal heart rhythms. The FARAPULSE PFA System, however, relies on tissue selective, non-thermal electric fields to ablate heart tissue and avoid damage to surrounding structures.

Positive 12-month data from the pivotal ADVENT clinical trial – the first randomized clinical trial to directly compare the efficacy and safety of the system against standard-of-care ablation – found that therapy with the device was as safe and effective as conventional thermal ablation, with statistically shorter ablation times and a quicker learning curve for physicians. Additional real-world data from more than 17,000 patients in the MANIFEST-17K registry demonstrated continued real-world safety of the system, with no reports of permanent phrenic nerve palsy, pulmonary vein stenosis or esophageal injury.

To learn more, visit https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/products/catheters--ablation/farapulse.html.

Dr. Ashish Bhatia recognized as #1 FARAPULSE™ physician in U.S. | News | General Physician | Buffalo, NY

Updated: Monday, January 01, 0001 12:00 AM

News and Updates | General Physician

May 2026

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