* Rouge welcomes first female cardiologist

“Having Dr. Nesbitt as part of our physician team is highly important to our cardiology program, and to our patients. She is exceptionally qualified,” says Dr. Joe Ricci, program chief, Rouge Valley cardiac care. “We also recognize that many women prefer to be seen by female physicians. As our first female cardiologist, Dr. Nesbitt will help us to further support all members of our diverse patient community.”

Dr. Nesbitt, who is originally from Toronto, joins the RVHS cardiac care program from the Mayo Clinic, a non-profit organization and internationally renowned group medical practice headquartered in Rochester, Minnesota. Dr. Nesbitt worked at its headquarters as an attending physician in cardiology and echocardiography, and returned to Toronto to be closer to her family. She will be playing a leadership role in cardiac services within the area, as outlined in the Central East Local Health Integrated Network’s (CE LHIN) Hospital Clinical Services Plan.

“I’m very excited to be a part of this team, and I look forward to continuing its commitment to delivering quality patient care,” says Dr. Nesbitt.

Dr. Nesbitt earned a bachelor of science at the University of Western Ontario, and her medical degree at the University of Ottawa. She completed her training in cardiology at the University of Toronto. Dr. Nesbitt also completed both a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in advanced echocardiography at the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine.

“I hope to build on the training I received at the Mayo Clinic and work with the excellent team of cardiologists at RVHS to further develop our program, especially in the area of cardiac imaging,” says Dr. Nesbitt. She adds that she also hopes to help treat heart disease with a focus on women.

She will also continue her work at the Mayo Clinic as a research collaborator in the area of pericardial disease and echocardiography. Dr. Nesbitt and her husband are expecting their first child in December.

-  Rouge cardiac care -

Rouge Valley’s cardiac care program has a full-service approach to delivering care. The program offers emergency treatment, as well as scheduled procedures in the catheterization lab at the Rouge Valley Centenary hospital campus. In addition, Rouge Valley Centenary has a nine-bed coronary care unit and 10 fully-monitored inpatient beds, while there are seven fully-monitored beds at the Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering hospital campus.

The RVHS cardiac care program offers complete diagnostic services at both hospital campuses. The program also features advanced electrophysiology, including device implantation and follow-up care, in its clinics. A comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation program, with individualized exercise and supportive education, is offered at Rouge Valley Centenary. 

Rouge Valley Health System (RVHS) — The best at what we do

RVHS is an excellent acute care community hospital with many programs, including 24/7/365 emergency, cardiac care and mental health. Rouge Valley consists of several health sites, including two community hospital campuses: Rouge Valley Centenary in east Toronto; and Rouge Valley Ajax and Pickering in west Durham. Together, a team of physicians (224 general practitioners and 325 specialists), 1,000 nurses and many other professionals care for a broad spectrum of health conditions. Working in consultation and partnership with community members, other hospitals, health care organizations, the Central East Local Health Integration Network and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Rouge Valley continues to improve its programs and cater to the needs of the growing communities of east Toronto, Ajax, Pickering and Whitby.

Contact
David Brazeau
Director
Public Affairs and Community Relations
Rouge Valley Health System
(647) 294-8885
dbrazeau@rougevalley.ca