ONE PHYSICIAN'S DREAM: BALANCING WORK AND FAMILY

If Russell T. Steinman, MD, had

After completing training, he served on the faculty of the

a dream position, he'd probably

WSU School of Medicine, where he was the cardiology

say he's got it now—"a balance

fellowship program director. Before coming to SJMO,

In addition to his work in EP, Dr. Steinman has been in-

of work and family"

Dr. Steinman was on the medical staff of many Detroit-area

volved in clinical research and development of pacemakers,

hospitals and has privileges at many others.

implantable defibrillators and anti-arrythmic medication.

ology (EP) at St. Joseph Mercy

Dr. Steinman is board-certified, has held many teaching

When he's not treating patients, the married father of two

Oakland (SJMO), Dr. Steinman

positions, has served or is on many hospital committees,

likes to spend time with his family in northern Michigan,

is a cardiac electrophysiologist.

and has published extensively and given many presenta-

hiking, biking, golfing and enjoying water sports. In the Jew-

His field is a sub-specialty of

tions to professional medical societies. He also is active in

ish community, Dr. Steinman is a member ofTemple Beth

training cardiology fellows at SJMO.

El and on the board of the Holocaust Memorial Center
Zekelman Family Campus.

to make hospitals do things better and more efficiently."

Medical Director of Electrophysi-

RUSSELLT.
STEINMAN, MD

cardiology, which involves the diagnosis and treatment of

abnormal heartbeats, or cardiac arrhythmias.

On the SJMO medical staff for nearly 20 years, Dr. Steinman's

"An EP would be involved in diagnosis and treatment of

typical day begins with hospital rounds, followed by perform-

a wide array of problems as simple as palpitations or as

ing procedures in the EP lab and seeing patients in his office.

complicated as life-threatening cardiac arrest," he says.

Born in Pontiac, Dr. Steinman attended middle school

Dr. Steinman would like to see people be heart-healthy.

"Eat a healthy diet, maintain an active lifestyle and treat un-

He pursued medicine as a career because of his interest

derlying conditions that put you at risk for heart disease: high

in science.

blood pressure, diabetes and increased cholesterol," he says.

and high school in Birmingham, graduated from the Uni-

(

versity of Michigan and earned his medical degree at the

"It was a way to combine my interest with a profession

However, if patients need heart care, he recommends

Wayne State University (WSU) School of Medicine. He

that could have a positive impact [on people]," he says.To

they seek out St. Joe for its "first-rate medical care in

completed his internship and residency at the former Sinai

date, the highlight of his career has been "being able to

terms of quality, efficiency and compassion. We have a

Hospital of Detroit, where he was an internal medicine

adapt and learn new techniques that have kept me on top

comprehensive approach to arrythmia management with

chief resident. In addition, Dr. Steinman completed car-

of my practice in a very rapidly changing field." But he has

state-of-the-art facilities for diagnosis and treatment.This

diology and clinical EP fellowships at the Northwestern

more to do—"to provide first-class care to my patients,

is part of a larger, award-winning cardiology program with

University School of Medicine in Chicago.

as well as helping to advance delivery in the field of EP,

a full spectrum of treatment options."

SJMO CARDIOVASCULAR PROGRAM ELEVATED WITH NEW PHYSICIAN

St. Joseph Mercy Oakland's

lenging yet extremely gratifying," he

(SJMO) new Director of Car-

explains. "Patients do so well, but it's

diothoracic Surgery, Charles F.

a real technical challenge."

Schwartz, MD, FACS, has great

plans for the program he now

He served as a research fellow in the

oversees:

thoracic surgery myocellular biology

"St. Joe will deliver state-of-the-

cal Center and has since participated

art personalized cardiac care that

in numerous research projects and

is in a beautiful, new and exciting

investigations. "I have been involved

research laboratory at the U-M Medi-

CHARLES F.
SCHWARTZ, MD,
FACS

environment. We are building a

in developing devices for valve repair

young, aggressive team at SJMO that will deliver a unique

and techniques to improve coronary

patient care experience." And that is why, he says, mem-

artery bypass surgery," he says.

bers of the Jewish community should look to SJMO for

their heart care.

Dr. Schwartz is most proud of being

trained at NYU and is "grateful for

"I look forward to expanding the cardiac surgery program

the many mentors that I've had in

here at St. Joe, including minimally invasive surgery. I brought

cardiac surgery" He calls his NYU

with me one of the best cardiac anesthesiologists from

experience the highlight of his ca-

New York, and I am excited to work with many of the

reer "The 10 years that I've spent

wonderful doctors in this area," Dr. Schwartz says.

as faculty at NYU have been the

most demanding and gratifying ex-

Born in Nuremberg, Germany, where his father, a general

periences I could imagine. I trained

surgeon, was stationed with the U.S. Army, Dr. Schwartz

under several of the most innovative

was raised in Bloomfield Hills and attended Birmingham

cardiac surgeons in the country. I learned how to take

He is happy to be back in metro Detroit, where he

Groves High School. He earned his undergraduate degree

care of the most complicated and critically ill patients and

and his wife, Cathy, and his children, Claire and Joey,

at the University of Michigan (U-M), received his medical

perform high-risk and minimally invasive surgery."

have relatives.

degree from the Wayne State University School of Medicine

with honors in surgery, and completed his internship and

A typical day includes making morning and evening rounds,

"Family and friends have welcomed us with open arms,"

residency in general surgery at William Beaumont Hospital.

performing procedures, seeing patients in his office, and

he says. "We're excited to be home.' He has plans to be

He completed his fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at

conferring with colleagues. Among the conditions he treats

involved in the Jewish Federation of Metro Detroit and

the NewYork University (NYU) Langone Medical Center

are heart valve repair or replacement, aneurysms, and

Temple Israel.

He then remained on the faculty at NYU for 10 years as

coronary artery disease.

an assistant professor of cardiothoracic surgery.

In addition to his family, his great joy "is the gratification

When he's not seeing patients or operating, the married

from the challenge of high-risk cardiac surgery. I hope to

His father's influence and his own interest in surgery led

father of two runs for relaxation. He says the running gives

continue to provide the best possible care to my patients

him to his chosen field. "Cardiothoracic surgery is chal-

him time to review and prepare for the next day's operations.

with new and innovative techniques."

FALL 2012

7

MICHIGAN MEDICAL REPORT

