MOBILE, Ala. – To expand surgical care for patients, USA Health has acquired Cardiovascular Associates P.C., in midtown Mobile.

Board-certified cardiovascular surgeons Michael Damrich, M.D., FACS, Dimitris Kyriazis, M.D., FACC, FACS, and Carl Maltese, M.D., FACS, will now be part of USA Health, where they will provide surgical procedures for patients with heart, lung, esophageal or vascular conditions. The practice will remain at 1901 Springhill Ave. in Mobile and be known as USA Health Cardiovascular Surgery.

“We are excited to expand our cardiovascular surgery services as we continue to meet the healthcare needs of people in the Gulf Coast region,” said Owen Bailey, MSHA, FACHE, chief executive officer for USA Health and senior associate vice president for medical affairs. “We have known and worked alongside these excellent surgeons for years, and we welcome them to USA Health.”

John V. Marymont, M.D., M.B.A., vice president for medical affairs and dean of the Frederick P. Whiddon College of Medicine, said the addition of three board-certified cardiovascular surgeons will further strengthen the surgical training opportunities for residents and fellows at USA Health. “Preparing the next generation of physicians is a significant part of our mission as an academic health system,” Marymont said.

Damrich, a native of Mobile, earned his medical degree from the Whiddon College of Medicine. He trained in general and vascular surgery under the direction of the renowned cardiovascular surgeon and educator Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., in Houston and was chosen to continue training under DeBakey in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. Damrich is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery and is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Damrich will serve as an adjunct associate professor of surgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Kyriazis, a native of Skyros, Greece, earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago Health Sciences – Chicago Medical School. He completed residency training in general surgery at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and studied thoracic and cardiovascular surgery under the direction of DeBakey. Kyriazis is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Chest Physicians. Kyriazis will serve as an associate professor of surgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Maltese received his medical degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He studied general and vascular surgery under the direction of DeBakey and continued his training in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery with the legendary surgeon. Maltese is a diplomate of the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American College of Chest Physicians. Maltese will serve as an associate professor of surgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine.

Physician assistants Molly Nall, PA-C, and Christy Paragone, PA-C, will continue to see patients as part of USA Health Cardiovascular Surgery.

“The addition of these experienced surgeons will allow us to expand our cardiac, thoracic and vascular surgical services,” said William O. Richards, M.D., FACS, chair of surgery at USA Health and professor of surgery at the Whiddon College of Medicine. “We will be able to help more people suffering from heart, lung or vascular conditions.”