OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center signs agreement with Cardiac Surgery Associates

OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center has signed a professional service agreement with Cardiac Surgery Associates (CSA).

CSA provides exclusive open-heart services at 18 hospitals in five states (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan). In addition to heart surgery, CSA physicians do pre-operative and post-operative clinic visits with patients.

"CSA prides itself on using the most up to date medical technology to provide the best care possible to our patients," says Rudy Altergott, MD. "Our mission is to compassionately restore the fullness of health to patients and their families through surgical excellence, technology and dedication."

Dr. Altergott is a board-certified thoracic and cardiac surgeon who earned his medical degree from Loyola Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. He completed his internship and residency at Loyola University Medical Center in Chicago, as well as his fellowship in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery.

In addition to Dr. Altergott, other CSA physicians will provide service coverage to OSF Saint Anthony. They are Charlie Ghee, MD, Justin Miller, MD, Tedi Vlahu, MD, Kevin Goodwin, MD, Jeff Silver, MD, Anthony Perez-Tamayo, MD, Todd Guynn, MD, Alyas Chaudhry, MD, Frank Lutrin, MD, Jeff Schwartz, MD, and Bryan Foy, MD.

"We are thrilled to partner with CSA to provide the best possible cardiac surgery in the area," says AJ Querciagrossa, CEO of the Western Region for OSF HealthCare. "Combining CSA's expertise and services with our talented Mission Partners and state-of-the-art technology at OSF Saint Anthony is a win-win for our patients and the communities we serve."

CSA is the largest independent cardiothoracic surgery group in the country. It employs 30 surgeons, 27 midlevel and 28 staff members. CSA performed nearly 3,800 open-heart cases in 2023 and manages another 1,600 major procedures each year.

For more information, contact OSF HealthCare Cardiovascular Institute at 815-398-3000.