Soon J. Park, MD, renowned both locally and internationally for his expertise and scientific contributions to cardiothoracic surgery, has joined the Albany Med Health System. He will serve as surgical director of cardiovascular services at Albany Medical Center, and he will collaborate with colleagues across the System to elevate a coordinated, regional approach to cardiovascular care.
“The level of expertise Dr. Park brings to the Albany Med Health System’s cardiovascular services is unmatched in the region,” said Alan S. Boulos, MD, The Lynne and Mark D. Groban ’67 Distinguished Dean of Albany Medical College. “His surgical talent and decades of experience and insight will benefit patient care, medical education, and surgical training for years to come.”
Dr. Park is an expert in all aspects of adult cardiothoracic surgery, including ischemic heart disease, mitral valve repair, aortic aneurysm repair, and septic myectomy for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Through partnerships between hospitals and the implementation of a unified electronic medical record, the Albany Med Health System has expanded access to heart and vascular care for more patients in more places. Referrals to higher levels of care are also made easier with more resources in one network. According to Dr. Park, those connections provide the framework to reinforce a comprehensive team approach to care.
“Albany Medical Center, Columbia Memorial Health, Glens Falls Hospital, and Saratoga Hospital each hold a critical role in their communities,” Dr. Park said. “Their collective strength sets our System apart. There are tremendous opportunities to deepen our
commitment to collaborative, patient centered care that positions the Albany Med Health System as the premier cardiovascular program in the region.”
A respected educator, scientist, and advisor, Dr. Park also said he is glad to return to academic medicine. He has mentored dozens of residents and fellows and has led several National Institutes of Health (NIH) trials. The intersection of patient care, research, and education, Dr. Park said, is where patients can find
the most contemporary and innovative care available.
“As a tertiary medical center, Albany Medical Center provides the research infrastructure, community resources, and missions to care, teach, and discover,” Dr. Park said. “It’s a privilege to teach the future generation better ways to deliver care based on research and education, and to be among fresh minds.”
Dr. Park will also serve on a newly created System-wide cardiovascular steering committee comprised of cardiac leadership throughout the System, as well as care partners at Capital Cardiology Associates, aimed at guiding and overseeing resources, data, and quality, and fostering opportunities for collaboration and enhanced efficiency in cardiac care.
An advisor or a member of the editorial boards of several prestigious journals throughout his career, Dr. Park has published nearly 200 peer reviewed articles or book chapters. He also is credited for pioneering a procedure used to close an aortic valve to prevent leaking during placement of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant, aptly called the Park Stitch.
Dr. Park’s experience has taken him across the country. He has held leadership positions at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.; the University of Minnesota; California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco; Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, N.Y.; and University Hospitals Case Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland. In the Capital Region, Dr. Park was the chief of cardiac surgery at St. Peter’s Health Partners and a member of Albany Cardiothoracic Surgeons. He completed residencies in thoracic surgery at the University of Minnesota and general surgery at the University of Washington. He earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago.
The Albany Med Health System provides heart care using the latest techniques and leading-edge surgical procedures to address routine and complex medical issues. Because the System is an academic health system, all System patients have access to the most advanced care, clinical trials for new treatments and devices, and they benefit from the ongoing research conducted at Albany Medical College.
Cardiothoracic surgeons at Albany Medical Center perform a wide range of cardiac procedures on patients of all ages. They have led the way in heart care for decades and have performed many of the region’s first heart procedures, including the first open heart surgery on an infant. They also teach at Albany Medical College. Albany Medical Center cares for more cardiology patients, performs more cardiovascular and vascular surgeries, and has the largest coronary care unit than any other health care provider in the Capital Region.