January 28, 2008
Contact: (434) 200.4731

Central Virginia has a new cardiothoracic surgeon, a new cardiologist and a new cardiac physician’s assistant at the nationally recognized Centra Stroobants Heart Center.

Jason Budde, M.D., has joined the cardiothoracic surgical division of The Cardiovascular Group of Centra Stroobants Heart Center. Ronald Morford, M.D., and John Cardwell, PA-C, have joined the cardiovascular division.

“This is exciting news for our region,” said Skip Meador, vice president of Centra cardiovascular and neurosciences services. “We know the addition of Dr. Budde, Dr. Morford and John Cardwell will allow us to continue to offer our patients exceptional cardiac care.”

Dr. Budde, a cardiothoracic surgeon, has joined cardiothoracic surgeons Robert Messier, M.D., and David Frantz, M.D. Budde, who is board certified in cardiothoracic and general surgery, comes to Virginia from Orlando, Fla., where he practiced as a cardiovascular surgeon with four Orlando hospitals. He received his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine, where he also completed a residency in general surgery and a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery. He is a graduate of Davidson College in Davidson, N.C.

Centra holds The Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ highest rating for quality in cardiac surgery, and has a national award-winning reputation for quality and cutting-edge cardiovascular care.

“Dr. Budde brings a wealth of experience and clinical expertise, and we feel very fortunate to have him join us,” said Dr. Messier. Dr. Frantz said, “Dr. Budde brings experience with new procedures and great clinical expertise. He trained at a world-class institution and was very successful at his Orlando practice. We are very pleased to have a surgeon of his caliber as a partner.”

Dr. Morford, who is board certified in cardiovascular disease and interventional cardiology, joins The Cardiovascular Group from Exeter Cardiovascular Associates in North Hampton, N.H. He received his medical degree and bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University College of Medicine, where he also completed fellowships in cardiology and interventional cardiology. He completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at The Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Medicine.

John Cardwell had been a physician assistant at Lynchburg Nephrology Physicians since 1999. He is a graduate of the College of Health Sciences in Roanoke and Lynchburg College.

“Dr. Morford and John Cardwell are excellent additions to cardiovascular division of The Cardiovascular Group,” said Thomas Nygaard, M.D., director of cardiology at Centra Lynchburg General Hospital and a cardiologist with The Cardiovascular Group. “We are very fortunate to have a talented team and we strive to provide measurably excellent care in all areas of cardiovascular disease. We continually strive to position Stroobants Heart Center as a leader in cost-effective and outcome-driven cardiovascular health care delivery. Our new additions will allow us to provide care in a more user friendly and timely fashion.”

For more information about Centra Cardiothoracic Surgery, call 434.528.2212, or for The Cardiovascular Group, call 434.947.5252.