DANVILLE, VA., Feb. 13, 2008 - Danville Regional Medical Center officials today announced the continuation of a cardiac surgery services agreement with Duke Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) at Danville Regional Medical Center.  The agreement between DRMC and the PDC extends the provision of cardiac surgery in Danville through June 2010.

"This announcement means Duke Heart Center faculty will continue to provide uninterrupted, on-site cardiovascular surgical services and on-call coverage for the residents of Danville and the Dan River region," said Peter Smith, M.D., Professor and Chief of Cardiac Thoracic Surgery at Duke University Medical Center.

DRMC CEO Jerel Humphrey said, "We are pleased that with Duke’s ongoing support DRMC will continue to provide the high-quality cardiovascular care that patients have come to rely on." This announcement comes following an assessment of cardiovascular services by Duke Heart Center faculty and staff.

DRMC Cardiologist Dr. Gary Miller said, "During the assessment, Duke faculty spent a great deal of time reviewing medical records, charts and clinical processes, met with cardiologists and together we determined the relationship between Duke and DRMC should continue."

DRMC Chief of Staff Dr. Richard Smith said that Dr. Lee McCann, the current cardiothoracic surgeon at DRMC, will remain at the hospital through the end of February.  Upon his departure, there will be a Duke University faculty surgeon to provide on-site cardiovascular services and on-call coverage, Smith added.

DRMC Cardiologist Dr. Boshra G. Zakhary said, "We have worked with Duke University Health System for a long time, both from a physician training and patient care standpoint, and are pleased this relationship will continue and even strengthen our cardiac services for the community."

Drs. Miller, Zakhary, Ajit S. Chauhan and Syed Ahmed have consulting faculty appointments at the Duke University School of Medicine as well as being practicing cardiologists at DRMC.