Torrance Memorial Medical Center Announces Affiliation With USC Keck Medical Center's Cardiothoracic Surgery Department

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Torrance Memorial Medical Center and USC's Keck School of Medicine have announced an affiliation to expand heart surgery services at the medical center in Torrance.

This announcement represents an expansion of the Torrance Memorial Lundquist Cardiovascular Institute's Cardiothoracic Surgery Program. This expansion of heart surgery services and cardiac procedures is possible through the addition of respected USC Keck Medical Center surgeons Jack Sun, M.D., Craig Baker, M.D., Michael Bowdish, M.D., Fernando Fleischman, M.D., Amy Hackmann, M.D., to Torrance Memorial's medical staff, joining John M. Stoneburner, M.D.

These surgeons will strengthen the existing Torrance Memorial heart surgery program by providing expertise in a variety of procedures such as complex valve repair and replacement, coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic root and arch surgery, surgical treatment of arrhythmias, and percutaneous heart valve therapy. While these procedures as well as diagnostics and treatment have been available at the medical center, the addition of these academic surgeons allows for the growth of the program in the South Bay.

"This affiliation is important for our community because it adds resources to a respected and growing program supported by an experienced clinical team," said Craig Leach, President/CEO, Torrance Memorial Medical Center. "Additional surgical coverage will ensure that community members will have a highly skilled team available in an emergency to treat highly complicated cardiac cases."

"The future of health care delivery partners leading academic medical centers with strong community hospitals. This relationship makes the innovation and expertise of academic centers available to local communities. South Bay residents can expect excellence in cardiac surgical care at Torrance Memorial as we embark on this important relationship between a top tier academic medical center and a pioneering, visionary community hospital," said Dr. Vaughn A. Starnes, M.D., Distinguished Professor and Chair, Department of Surgery, USC Keck School of Medicine.

In addition to welcoming the USC team, Torrance Memorial announces the addition of Salman Azam, M.D., from Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Dr. Azam specializes in Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). Candidates of this procedure are high risk and were once inoperable due to severely calcified aortic valve stenosis, also known as a narrowing of the aortic valve opening, which restricts normal blood flow to the body.

About Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Founded in 1925 by Jared Sydney and Helena Childs Torrance, Torrance Memorial Medical Center is a locally governed, 401-bed, non-profit medical center established to provide quality healthcare services, predominantly to the residents of the South Bay, Peninsula and Harbor communities. Torrance Memorial seeks to offer the most current and effective medical technologies rendered in a compassionate, caring manner. In 2012, it joined the ranks of the top hospitals in the nation by earning coveted Magnet® recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which recognizes nursing excellence. Visit: www.TorranceMemorial.org.

CONTACT:
Ann O'Brien, Public Relations
Colleen Farrell, Public Relations
Torrance Memorial Medical Center
310-517-4706
[email protected]
[email protected]

SOURCE Torrance Memorial Medical Center