BOISE, Idaho (CBS 2) — A Saint Alphonsus doctor became the first woman to complete 1,000 heart procedures in the world.
Dr. Margot Vloka MD, a cardiac Electrophysiologist at Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, has become the first female physician in the world to complete 1,000 procedures using the Stereotaxis Robotic Magnetic Navigation System.
The system uses magnets to precisely maneuver a catheter through the heart. This helps the physician pinpoint specific tissues that trigger and sustain abnormal heart rhythm.
Dr. Vloka has worked at Saint Alphonsus for 4-1/2 years and is from Poland.
Not only is she the first female doctor but the 13th doctor in the world to reach this milestone. She is also the only physician to accomplish this at a community hospital.
“I am proud to be the first woman physician in the world and fifth physician in United States to perform 1,000 robotic procedures for treatment of cardiac arrhythmias,” Dr. Vloka said. “I am even more excited about the fact that I’m the first physician to achieve this distinction in the community hospital setting.”
The CEO and Saint Alphonsus health system president had high praise for the doctor.
“This has been accomplished with the enthusiastic support of the entire, excellent cardiology team at the Saint Alphonsus Heart Institute,” Dr. Vlodka added. “I want to thank the Saint Alphonsus leadership for their vision and substantial investment in the robotic technology. Use of soft catheter, which Stereotaxis innovative, robotic technology allows, carries lesser risk of complications when compared with other techniques.”
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifK%2Bx1qxmpaeTlrlwv8Cipa1lkaG9qbvNrKysZZSksLW70WaZnpuforK0ecWiqaysXay8rq3NZquoZZOkurG4xK2cZmlgZX1utMSaqa1loKe8pLHDrqmeqw%3D%3D