FARMINGTON — Franklin Memorial Hospital and the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute are presenting a monthly Heart Rhythm Disorder and Cardiac Device Clinic at the Franklin Memorial Hospital Outpatient Clinic at 111 Franklin Health Commons.
Dr. Brooke Ritvo, cardiologist who specializes in electrophysiology, and physician assistant Joe Sala, a pacemaker and implantable cardiac device (ICD) specialist, will see patients by appointment beginning Monday, July 6. The clinic will subsequently be offered at Franklin Memorial on the first Monday of each month.
Electrophysiology is the study of the electrical system of the heart that generates the heartbeat. Electrophysiologic studies are used to diagnose heart rhythm problems and to determine if a patient needs a pacemaker. Prior to beginning her work in Maine last year, Ritvo practiced for six years as an electrophysiologist with Arrhythmia and Pacemaker Consultants in West Orange, N.J.
Ritvo earned her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y., and completed an internship and residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City. She served a fellowship in cardiovascular disease and a fellowship in electrophysiology at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City.
She also served an electrophysiology fellowship at Montefiore Medical Center-Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, N.Y.She is certified in cardiovascular disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine.
Sala is certified by the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners as a cardiac device specialist and has special training in the management of cardiac pacemakers and internal cardiac defibrillators. He is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants.
He is a preceptor for the University of New England Physician Assistant Program in Biddeford and has held teaching positions at the George Washington University and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. He is also a sub-investigator for ongoing research studies at Central Maine Heart Associates in Lewiston.
Both Ritvo and Sala practice with Central Maine Heart Associates in Lewiston.
To schedule an appointment, call 779-2539.