DANVILLE, VA., April 15, 2008 - Richard Embrey, a Harvard-trained cardiothoracic surgeon joins Danville Regional Medical Center. Embrey will be providing cardiothoracic and cardiovascular (open heart) services at DRMC as an Associate Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Duke University School of Medicine.
A Lynchburg native, Embrey brings an extensive list of medical and academic accolades to the surgical program at DRMC. Prior to accepting this offer, Embrey was an associate professor of medicine and medical director of the Faculty Practice Plan at Southern Illinois University. In addition to his roles at Southern Illinois University, Embrey has served on committees for national cardiology organizations, as well as in leadership roles at the collegiate, departmental and hospital level. He has taught in many academic institutions across the United States in the capacity of instructor, assistant and associate professor. Embrey has also been active in conducting clinical research and has published approximately 30 book chapters, papers and abstracts.
DRMC CEO Jerel Humphrey said, “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Embrey to DRMC and excited that he will continue the cardiovascular surgical services through our association with Duke. His extensive work in the field and his level of expertise in medicine make Dr. Embrey a terrific and important addition to DRMC.”
Since 2003, the cardiovascular surgery program has offered a number of vascular and open heart procedures including: thoracotomy, thorascopy, mediastinoscopy, carotid endarterectomy, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), off-pump CABG, and aortic/mitral valve replacement & repair.
“Excellent results have been achieved and the experienced surgical and patient care team at DRMC is eager to advance under the direction of Dr. Embrey,” Humphrey added.
“The level of professional excellence that Dr. Embrey has demonstrated makes it clear the tremendous impact he will have on the surgical program at DRMC,” said Peter Smith, M.D., Professor and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Duke University Medical Center. “Dr. Embrey’s devotion to the field of medicine is matched by his desire to teach and educate the medical community.”
“I believe this is going to be a truly rewarding experience,” added Dr. Embrey. “I am able to bring my family back to the area where I grew up, but most importantly help the residents of the Dan River region through my practice in the program. I want to make an impact and will work diligently with all DRMC staff and cardiologists to achieve the best results for our patients and their families.”
Dr. Embrey’s hiring follows an assessment of cardiovascular services by Duke Heart Center faculty which led to the continuation of a cardiac surgery services agreement with Duke’s Private Diagnostic Clinic physicians’ organization and DRMC. The agreement between DRMC and the PDC extends the provision of cardiac surgery in Danville through June 2010.
