Louis Russo, M.D., a cardiothoracic surgeon, has been appointed to the Central Maine Medical Center medical staff. He is practicing in association with Central Maine Cardiovascular Surgery, 60 High St., Lewiston.

Russo formerly practiced with Maine Heart Surgical Associates in Portland and is the former director of the Ventricular Assist Device program at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Under his direction, the program attained Joint Commission certification as VAD destination therapy center of excellence, the first and only such program in Maine.

His work at Maine Medical Center also included a year as director and three years as co-director of the Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit.

He is a member of the surgical staff at Mercy Hospital in Portland and provides consulting services at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston and Maine Medical Center in Portland.

Russo is clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Vermont School of Medicine in Burlington, Vt. His interest in academic medicine is reflected in numerous presentations he has made at professional conclaves. He has also co-authored scholarly articles published in professional journals.

He has been an investigator or co-investigator in a number of clinical studies, including a recent study sponsored by The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

A graduate of Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pa., Russo earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. He completed residency training in surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, and in cardiothoracic surgery at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Russo is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation.

Central Maine Cardiovascular Surgery is also comprised of cardiothoracic surgeon Carmine Frumiento, M.D., vascular surgeons Allan M. Ingraham, M.D., and Pamela R. Rietschel, M.D., physician assistant Danielle R. George, and nurse practitioner Patricia A. Hutchins. The practice can be reached at 795-8260.