Duluth doctor is first in Minnesota to perform new heart procedure
Dr. Nicole Worden, interventional cardiologist at Essentia Health, was the first in the state to perform intervascular lithotripsy, a procedure that inserts a balloon into the artery and uses sonic pressure waves to break off calcium to make room for a stent. Written By: Laura Butterbrodt | ×
Dr. Nicole Worden, interventional cardiologist at Essentia Health (Submitted photo)
When 84-year-old Carolyne “Dolly” Strumbel went to the Virginia emergency room on March 8, she was feeling terrible, she said, but never imagined there was anything wrong with her heart.
The next thing she knew, she was at Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Medical Center in Duluth where her symptoms shortness of breath, weakness and atrial fibrillation were diagnosed as a heart attack. Strumbel, who lives in Eveleth, had two coronary arteries that were 70-80% blocked.
Female cardiologists defy national statistics at Essentia in Duluth
The presence of female cardiologists at Essentia Health in Duluth has created a welcoming work environment, raising their representation far higher than national averages, the doctors said. Written By: Laura Butterbrodt | ×
From left: cardiologists Dr. Catherine Benziger, Dr. Kathleen Braddy and Dr. Nicole Worden pose for a portrait in the cath lab Thursday at Essentia Health in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com)
DULUTH Nationally, only 13% of cardiologists are women, according to February 2019 data from the American Heart Association.
However, women make up nearly half of the cardiologists at Essentia Health in Duluth.
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Women defy statistics in Essentia cardiology department
The presence of female cardiologists at Essentia Health in Duluth has created a welcoming work environment, raising their representation far higher than national averages, the doctors said. Written By: Laura Butterbrodt | ×
From left: cardiologists Dr. Catherine Benziger, Dr. Kathleen Braddy and Dr. Nicole Worden pose for a portrait in the cath lab Thursday at Essentia Health in Duluth. (Tyler Schank / tschank@duluthnews.com)
Nationally, only 13% of cardiologists are women, according to February 2019 data from the American Heart Association. However, women make up nearly half of the cardiologists at Essentia Health in Duluth.
Eight of the current 18 cardiologists at Essentia are female. Several women in the cardiology department said seeing other women in the field not only pushed them to become a cardiologist, but also to join Essentia’s team.