Horizon Health Recruits New Team of Emergency Physicians

Horizon Health has recruited a new team of specialist physicians to provide care in its emergency department.

The new physicians are employees of Horizon Health. They are all board certified in emergency medicine and represent a wide range of medical certifications, such as pediatrics, addiction medicine, and toxicology. Their backgrounds are vast, including training at Harvard University and Indiana University, as well as service in the US Navy.

“This is essential for the community,” said Anita Toussi, MD, Horizon Health chief medical officer. “These talented physicians bring a higher level of skill to our emergency department. They are 100 percent board certified in emergency medicine, which is new to our facility. This means our residents will receive the most advanced emergency care available.”

The addition of the new physicians expands the services available in the emergency department at Horizon Health, Dr. Toussi said. Additional emergency services/procedures include:

• Intubations and difficult airway management
• Emergency ultrasound imaging for traumas
• Placement of chest tubes to help patients who have collapsed lungs or blood/fluid in the lungs
• Removal of fluid around the heart
• Repair of complex lacerations
• Initial treatment and stability for fractures
• Emergent nerve blocks for successful pain management

“These added services will help result in fewer transfers and allow patients to receive the care they need close to home,” said Oliver Smith, Horizon Health president and CEO. “We are pleased to welcome the new team to the Horizon Health family.”

The Horizon Health emergency department continues to be certified as an Acute Stroke-Ready Hospital and offers very short visit times (from ER arrival to ER departure) compared to national averages.

“Change takes time, and I hope the community will be patient with us as we work through the provider changes,” commented Samantha McCarty, PHRN, RN, BSN, emergency services manager. “It will take some time for us to get our new full-time team established, but I want to assure our community that we remain committed to providing you exceptional care.”