GALLATIN, TN (March 13, 2024) – Highpoint Health – Sumner with Ascension Saint Thomas announced today that interventional cardiologists, John Nwosu, MD and Gary “Beau” Yawn, MD completed the county’s first pulmonary embolism (PE) thrombectomy procedure this February. This innovative procedure involves the insertion of a catheter, guided by x-ray technology, to the site of the clot within the patient's heart. Through this method, the clot is effectively removed or dissolved, offering a crucial intervention in life-saving care.

“This marks a significant milestone in providing minimally invasive interventional therapies to treat massive pulmonary embolisms in Sumner County,” shared Dr. Nwosu. "In collaboration with Dr. Yawn, we're thrilled to bring this previously unavailable expertise to our community, ensuring vital care is now accessible closer to home for countless individuals. Patients needing this type of procedure previously had to travel out of county causing delays in care and potentially fatal outcomes. While a PE is a serious condition that impacts approximately 900,000 individuals in the U.S. annually, this procedure has shown to significantly decrease acute mortality rates in patients that are high-risk.”

“We are pleased to now be able to offer this higher level of heart care to our local community in Gallatin,” added Rod Harkleroad, Market President of Highpoint Health.  “Through our recent expansion of cardiology services, we’re ensuring our community can remain healthy for generations to come.”

To learn more about cardiology services at Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas, visit HighpointHealthSystem.com/Cardiac-Care.

About Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas

Highpoint Health with Ascension Saint Thomas, part of Lifepoint Health, is a regional health system dedicated to making communities healthier in northern Middle Tennessee. It is composed of Highpoint Health – Sumner, the 167-bed flagship hospital, and Highpoint Health – Sumner Station located in Gallatin; Highpoint Health – Riverview, a 35-bed critical access hospital in Carthage, and Highpoint Health – Trousdale, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Hartsville. The system's innovative partnership with Ascension Saint Thomas brings together the organizations’ clinical excellence, best practices, and talented caregivers to collaborate in new ways that improve access to high quality clinical programs and specialty care for patients and communities. To learn more, visit HighpointHealthSystem.com

‍