_{Sharon Regional Medical Center and Steward Medical Group are pleased to welcome cardiothoracic surgeon, Ann R. Connor, M.D., to the Steward Health Care System. Dr. Connor joins the Cardiothoracic Surgical team at Sharon Regional that includes surgeons; Gary Marrone, M.D., and Edward Woods, M.D.  Dr. Connor has practiced at leading medical centers across the country for more than 20 years and brings expertise in adult and pediatric cardiac and thoracic surgery to patients in Mercer County and surrounding communities.}

 

_{“We are delighted to incorporate Dr. Connor’s cardiac and thoracic surgical expertise into our team of highly skilled cardiologists, surgeons, and clinical staff to provide a broader array of high quality cardiology services,” said Joseph Hugar, president of Sharon Regional Medical Center. “We are experiencing an increased demand for our cardiac care programs, specifically for our open heart surgery capabilities in areas including Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania and Trumbull County in Ohio which is why we have been very aggressive in our recruitment efforts.”}

 

_{Recruiting a highly-skilled cardiothoracic surgeon like Dr. Conner, in addition to the recent recruitment of several cardiologists to the team, will enable Sharon Regional to expand its services into new geographic regions, such as Venango County.}

 

_{”This expansion will benefit patients that choose to get their care locally without traveling into the bigger cities for advanced care,” Hugar said. “The quality of our physicians and surgeons and the exceptional nursing care provided by our skilled and experienced surgical and cardiac teams is unmatched.”}

 

_{By joining Steward Medical Group, Dr. Connor is now affiliated with Sharon Regional Medical Center.  The hospital has recently received numerous quality awards and distinctions, including accreditation as a Primary Stroke Center, Chest Pain Center, Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Silver Plus award, Blue Cross Distinction Center + for Maternity Care, and the Platinum Performance Achievement award for heart attack care for 5 consecutive years.}

 

 _{“Joining Steward Medical Group is an exciting next chapter for me,” said Dr. Connor. “With access to the state-of-the-art technologies to diagnose and treat cardiac patients, we can work to improve the overall health of our community.”}

 

_{Steward Medical Group is a dynamic and growing physician-led multispecialty practice group that is a key part of Steward Health Care, the largest private for-profit hospital operator in the United States. The medical group employs nearly 1,750 physicians in 11 states, with both primary care and specialties ranging from Women’s Health to Advanced Cardiac Surgery.}

 

_{“We are proud to welcome Dr. Connor to Steward Medical Group,” said Sanjay Shetty, MD, MBA, president of the medical group. “Local area physicians believe in our patient-centric approach which focuses on achieving the highest possible quality at an affordable price, and providing the best health care to our patients in a setting close to home.”}

 

_{Dr. Connor is available for patient consults. Her office is located at Sharon Regional Medical Center, 740 East State Street in Sharon, Pennsylvania.  Anyone wishing for additional information or to schedule an appointment may call the office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 724-983-7200.}

 

_{Sharon Regional Medical Center}

 

_{Sharon Regional Medical Center is your community healthcare provider; a 220 licensed, acute care bed hospital with 19 satellite centers throughout the region. As a Joint Commission accredited hospital, Sharon Regional Health System proudly offers specialized services including the Heart and Vascular Center, emergency heart attack/stroke treatment, cancer care, orthopedics/sports medicine, minimally invasive surgery, emergency care, a women's center, and a breast care center.  Sharon Regional Medical Center is conveniently located in northwestern Pennsylvania, midway between Pittsburgh, Erie, and Cleveland, Ohio.}

 

_{About Steward Health Care}

 

_{Steward Health Care, the largest for-profit private hospital operator in the United States, is a physician-led health care services organization committed to providing the highest quality of care in the communities where patients live. Steward operates 39 community hospitals in the United States and the country of Malta, that regularly receive top awards for quality and safety. The company employs approximately 40,000 health care professionals. The Steward network includes more than 25 urgent care centers, 42 preferred skilled nursing facilities, substantial behavioral health services, over 7,300 beds under management, and approximately 1.5 million full risk covered lives through the company's managed care and health insurance services. The total number of paneled lives within Steward's integrated care network is projected to reach 3 million in 2018.}

_{Steward's unique health care service delivery model leverages technology, innovation, and care coordination to keep patients healthier. With a culture that prioritizes agility, resourcefulness, and continuous improvement, Steward is recognized as one of the world’s leading accountable care organizations. The Steward Health Care Network includes thousands of physicians who help to provide more than 12 million patient encounters per year. Steward Medical Group, the company's employed physician group, provides more than 4 million patient encounters per year. The Steward Hospital Group operates hospitals in Malta and states across the U.S. including Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah.}