For many area residents, commuting is a way of life. This is especially true in Stafford County, where the average commute to work is 40 minutes, and nearly 28% of residents travel 60 minutes or more to reach their offices, according to estimates from the latest U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey.
When it comes to finding interventional radiology treatments, however, Stafford residents have a perfect solution much closer to home at Stafford Hospital. R. Donald Doherty Jr., MD, an interventional radiologist and the medical director of Virginia Interventional & Vascular Associates (VIVA), believes too many North Stafford residents are unnecessarily driving to the Washington, D.C., region for interventional radiology and vascular surgery procedures because they are unaware that nearby Stafford Hospital, opened in 2009, offers advanced treatments by highly qualified physicians, trained at the top institutions – minus the stressful commute.
“Stafford Hospital’s interventional radiology facility is beautiful and highly patient focused, with fellowship-trained, board-certified physicians, a seasoned professional staff, and the latest imaging-related technology,” he explained. “When patients learn about the services there, they really value the convenience and quality of care.”
Dr. Doherty is one of five interventional radiologists and two vascular surgeons with VIVA, the interventional radiology and vascular surgery practice of Radiologic Associates of Fredericksburg. VIVA physicians provide services to Stafford Hospital, Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, and VIVA’s outpatient facility in Spotsylvania.
Interventional radiologists specialize in imaging-guided, minimally invasive procedures for a wide range of medical conditions. Many procedures can be performed on an outpatient basis, with patients returning home the same day, while others require hospitalization due to their greater complexity or the patient’s condition.
Stafford Hospital interventional radiology services include the following procedures:
- Uterine fibroid embolization, a minimally invasive alternative to hysterectomy
- Kyphoplasty to stabilize painful compression fractures of the spine
- Interventional oncology procedures to treat cancer, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and chemoembolization, as well as tumor biopsies, port placement and paracentesis to remove fluid from the abdomen
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) treatments, including stents, balloon angioplasty, and atherectomy to open narrow or blocked peripheral arteries
- Dialysis access management, including vascular grafts and fistulas for patients with kidney disease
- Vascular access for ports, peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines, and intravenous (IV) lines
VIVA physicians also offer consultations and the latest treatments for varicose veins and spider veins, including endovenous laser treatment (EVLT®).
Dr. Doherty believes one reason that North Stafford residents may opt for interventional radiology and vascular surgery services outside the region is because some of their referring physicians in North Stafford are more familiar with healthcare facilities farther north where they once worked or were trained.
To increase awareness, VIVA staff members have been visiting the medical practices of primary care physicians and specialists in the North Stafford area, particularly those located in the highly developed State Route 610 corridor near Garrisonville, noted VIVA Practice Administrator Jennifer Dawson, NP-C, a certified nurse practitioner.
Referring physician offices that would like VIVA to visit their offices or provide additional information can contact Dr. Doherty or Jennifer Dawson at (540) 654-9118, dawson@vivassociates.com. Patients who would like more information can contact
VIVA staff at (540) 654-9118, info@vivassociates.com.
Web resources for more information include:
The Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Lab at Stafford Hospital http://www.marywashingtonhealthcare.com/stafford-hospital/services/1180-cardiovascular- and-interventional-radiology-lab
VIVA Physician Biographies http://www.vivassociates.com/doctors/by-name/
VIVA Interventional Radiology Services http://www.vivassociates.com/procedures/interventional/
Pictured above is Stafford Hospital