For immediate release                                      July 16, 2001

Maryann E. Payne, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon, joins The Heart Institute at Sharon Regional

Sharon Regional Health System recently welcomed Maryann E. Payne, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon, to its Heart Institute, 740 E. State St., Sharon. Dr. Payne is a member of the world-class Magovern Group (Cardio-Thoracic Surgical Associates) and a full-time heart surgeon at Sharon Regional.

"I truly like Mercer County and look forward to working here with Dr. George Magovern, Jr., and our other surgeons in Sharon Regional's new open heart program, which is quickly growing," says Dr. Payne, who recently moved to the Shenango Valley from Pittsburgh. Everyone here including the surgeons, doctors, nurses, and all the hospital staff, are so positive and supportive of The Heart Institute. It's such a positive feeling to experience the teamwork that exists among the heart specialists."

Dr. Payne is board eligible in cardiothoracic surgery and board certified in general surgery. She served a cardiothoracic residency, general surgery residency and general surgery internship at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh. Dr. Payne's medical degree and bachelor's degree are from Ohio State. Dr. Magovern, renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and a senior member of CTSA, directs the open heart program at The Heart Institute. The group performs about 2,700 open heart procedures each year, including 1,500 at Allegheny General and 1,200 in community-based open heart programs.

The Heart Institute at Sharon Regional, which opened last summer, is the only hospital in Mercer County capable of performing life-saving cardiac procedures such as open heart surgery, valve surgery, angioplasty, stenting, rotoblator, and advanced cardiac catheterizations.

For more information, please call our Health Information Center at 800-346-7997or 724-983-5518.