News

February 25, 2020

Steward and St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center Open New Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Center

Brighton, MA – Patients who need rehabilitation following a heart attack or other cardiovascular disorder now have a new facility where they can complete their recovery and take important steps to help prevent future cardiac-related events.

The Department of Cardiology at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, a Steward Family Hospital, recently opened the Bernard D. Kosowsky, MD Cardiovascular Rehabilitation & Prevention Center, designed to help patients develop heart-healthy habits following a cardiac event. Care offered at the center includes exercise training and counseling, cardiac risk factor education, nutrition education, and stress management.

The center, located at 280 Washington St., Suite 100, is named in memory of long-time St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center cardiologist Dr. Bernard Kosowsky, who died in 2015. Dr. Kosowsky founded the Department of Cardiology at St. Elizabeth’s and provided care to patients there for more than 40 years. He served as Chairman of the Department of Cardiology for many years and was known as a “virtuoso” of diagnosing patients’ cardiac ailments by using his stethoscope and applying his skills and education to treat them.

“The Bernard D. Kosowsky, MD Cardiovascular Rehabilitation & Prevention Center will be a wonderful resource to patients in Brighton and beyond,” said Dr. Joseph Carrozza, Chairman of the Department of Cardiology at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. “We are grateful to The Kosowsky Family, especially Mrs. Joyce Kosowsky, in allowing us to name the center after her late husband. We look forward to providing our patients with the highest quality of care that was his standard of practice.”

An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the center on Wednesday, February 19. Members of the Kosowsky Family, former colleagues of Dr. Kosowsky, community leaders, and staff of St. Elizabeth’s Cardiology and Cardiovascular services attended to celebrate the grand opening. As a tribute to Dr. Kosowsky, the waiting room includes one of his lab coats which is framed and on display, as well as a wooden electrocardiogram machine that was made in Cambridge in 1950 that was used by Dr. Kosowsky when he first began working at the medical center.

“Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in the United States, making the need for this center so important,” said Harrison Bane, president of St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center. “Every chance we can give to our patients to survive a heart attack or other heart-related issue is a chance for them to fully live their lives with their loved ones, participate in the daily routines and special events that make life fulfilling, and spend precious time doing the things they enjoy the most.”

Dr. Uyen Lam serves as the center’s medical director. She completed a fellowship in Clinical Cardiology at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center under the direction of Dr. Kosowsky and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, where she also earned her medical degree. Dr. Lam’s areas of special clinical interest include cardiac rehabilitation, preventive Cardiology, and women’s cardiac health.

“I am delighted to oversee the patient care at the Bernard D. Kosowsky, MD Cardiovascular Rehabilitation & Prevention Center,” said Dr. Lam. “We have a wonderful team of skilled and experienced providers who look forward to helping patients on their pathway to recovery.”

The center is 4,412-square-feet and includes stationary bicycles, treadmills, hand weights, and ample space for treatment sessions. Parking is free for patients in the lot adjacent to the center. The Bernard D. Kosowsky, MD Cardiovascular Rehabilitation & Prevention Center may be reached at 617-787-7901.

St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center was recently recognized by Healthgrades as an “America’s Best 100” hospitals for Coronary Intervention from 2017-2019, and an “America’s Best 100” hospitals for Cardiac Care for 2013-2019. It was also recognized as a “High Performing Hospital” for Heart Failure care for 2018-2019.

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