August 17, 2007

Dr. Robert Fietsam, Jr. Joins Genesis Heart Surgery Team

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon Robert Fietsam, Jr., M.D., has joined the heart surgery team at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport.

Dr. Fietsam joins friend and former residency classmate, Nicholas Augelli, M.D., in practice at the Genesis Heart Institute.

Dr. Fietsam’s specialties are adult cardiac surgery, general thoracic surgery and peripheral vascular surgery.  He also has performed pediatric vascular surgery on more than 100 premature infants as small as 1 pound, 1 ounce.

“It’s a very nice opportunity that Nick (Augelli) and I are finally getting a chance to work together.  It is something we’ve talked about over the years since we became friends during our residency together,’’ Dr. Fietsam said. “I look forward to working side-by-side with Nick and I think our approaches will complement each other and will benefit heart patients in the region.’’

The Genesis heart surgery program recently received the highest rating – three stars – from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.  The three-star designation ranks the Genesis program among the top 15 percent in the country.

Dr. Fietsam, a native of Michigan, came to the Quad Cities from Cape Fear Valley Medical Center in Fayetteville, N.C.  He attended medical school at Wayne State University in Michigan and completed residencies at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., and Detroit Medical Center.

Dr. Fietsam and his wife, Jill, are the parents of six children.  Dr. Fietsam has completed four marathons, including two Boston Marathons, and recently ran his first Quad-City Times Bix 7.

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