LANGHORNE, Pa., December 2, 2009 – St. Mary Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joseph Conroy today announced Catherine Plzak, MD, FACS, an accomplished surgeon who specializes in treating breast cancer patients, has joined the Medical Staff as Medical Director of the St. Mary Breast Center.

Previously, Dr. Plzak served as the founding Medical Director of the Breast Center at Chesapeake Regional Medical Center in Chesapeake, Virginia. Dr. Plzak’s initiatives at Chesapeake were focused on making the center a model of one-stop care for breast cancer patients through coordinating a team of specialists providing advanced treatment options.

“Dr. Plzak brings years of experience in a multidisciplinary team approach in treating breast cancer,” notes Conroy, “and her expertise complements patient care practiced at the St. Mary Breast Center and St. Mary Regional Cancer Center. She will work closely with colleagues from Surgery, Pathology, Radiology, Medical Oncology, and Radiation Oncology in contributing to St. Mary’s comprehensive and highly integrated patient care. Dr. Plzak shares our commitment to excellence and will prove to be a valuable asset to our talented physicians and staff.”

Dr. Plzak received a Medical Degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, where she served as president of the student council and was acknowledged for “making a significant contribution to the life of the college.” She completed an internship in general surgery at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, PA, and a residency in general surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Previously, she held positions as the Attending Surgeon/Trauma Surgeon and Director of the Short Procedure Unit at Medical College of Pennsylvania, and was in private practice at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Board-certified in general surgery by the American Board of Surgery and the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Plzak received certification as an instructor of Advanced Trauma Life Support. She was an assistant professor of surgery at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and a clinical assistant professor of surgery at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.

Dr. Plzak is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the Philadelphia Academy of Surgery, and the Philadelphia Club of Medical Women, for which she served as president from 2002 to 2004. She also was a member of the Association of Academic Surgery, American Trauma Society, and the Association of Women Surgeons.

Dr. Plzak’s office is on the St. Mary Campus in Suite 403 of the Medical Office Building, and she is accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call 215.710.4130.

About St. Mary Medical Center
Licensed for 366 beds, St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, Pennsylvania, is the most comprehensive medical center in the area.  Its compassionate staff of more than 600 physicians, 2,400 colleagues, and 800 volunteers is committed to providing excellence in patient safety and quality care. St. Mary offers state-of-the-art technology and highly skilled physicians and clinical professionals in providing advanced care for complex cases. Services include a comprehensive cardiovascular program; the only state-accredited Trauma Center in Bucks County; Emergency Services with a dedicated Pediatric Emergency Care Center; a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center; specialized diagnostic imaging; obstetrics and NICU; a Joint Commission-certified joint replacement program; exceptional orthopedic surgical capabilities and rehabilitation; a Joint Commission-certified sleep disorders center, pain management and wound healing centers; the St. Mary Breast Center; and the St. Mary Regional Cancer Center. St. Mary’s outreach to the poor and underserved includes its Community Ministries in Bensalem – the Mother Bachmann Maternity Center, Children’s Health Center and Family Resource Center – as well as ongoing support for the Adult Health Clinic operated by the Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership.

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