Heart Rhythm Center

Physician Biographies

Dr. Williams is board-certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, and is Director of Electrophysiology at Good Samaritan Hospital. He obtained his undergraduate degree with a double major in Biomedical and Electrical Engineering at Vanderbilt University. He was then awarded a Keck Fellowship for graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh where he obtained his Master’s degree in Bioengineering. He obtained his medical degree at Drexel University in Philadelphia and completed 5 years of Fellowship training in both Cardiovascular Diseases and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology at the university of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

His unique background and extensive knowledge of both engineering and cardiology have earned Dr. Williams many accolades within the clinical and academic settings. He’s published over 20 manuscripts and abstracts in the field of cardiology/electrophysiology and he’s received awards from both the American College of Cardiology Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Now practicing in Lebanon, Dr. Williams offers patients advanced cardiac heart rhythm evaluation, intracardiac arrhythmia ablation (including atrial fibrillation) and implantation of pacemakers and defibrillators. The Invasive Electrophysiology Laboratory at Good Samaritan Hospital offers the most advanced 3D intracardiac mapping system and intracardiac echocardiography available and is the only center in Central PA to offer jet ventilation for advanced cardiac ablation to ensure the safest possible procedures.

Drs. Williams and Stevenson are proud to present their outcomes report on Electrophysiology (EP) device implantations performed at the Good Samaritan Hospital Invasive Electrophysiology Laboratory. We are the only EP program in Pennsylvania and the first community hospital-based EP program in the U.S. to publish outcomes for pacemaker and defibrillator implantations!

The manuscript titled “Patient Demographics, Complications, and Hospital Utilization in 250 Consecutive Device Implants of a New Community Hospital Electrophysiology Program: Implications for “Niche” Hospitals,” will be published in the American Heart Hospital Journal this summer. These data revealed that our community cohort had similar ejection fractions but was older with worse kidney function than those studied in prior reports. This elderly, ill population experienced overall rates of complication lower than national trials and available reports from single academic centers.

The use of an established quality performance systems-based structure (Baldridge National Quality Program) enabled Lebanon Cardiology Associates and Good Samaritan Hospital to implement a highly performing EP device implant program. Contrary to current perceptions, these data suggest that our community center may subselect an elderly, ill patient population and can provide high quality, cost-effective, and more accessible care to patients distant from larger medical centers. We anticipate as the emphasis on performance in healthcare grows, there will be a shift in care patterns to “niche” centers that demonstrate a high level of performance. Our results are even more promising as community hospitals like GSH represent over 95% of all hospital admissions in the U.S.

Dr. Stevenson is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease and is board eligible for Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a B.S. in Biology from Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. This was followed immediately by medical school; earning his M.D. from MCP<>Hahnemann University (Drexel College of Medicine) in 2000. After internship, residency, and a year as Chief Resident at M.S. Hershey Medical Center, he completed a 5 year fellowship in Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology also at the Hershey Medical Center.

He joined Dr. Williams in 2009 to continue to offer advanced cardiac rhythm management in Lebanon County along with the other physicians of Lebanon Cardiology Associates.

Publications

Dr. Jeffrey L. Williams, MD, MS, FACC

1. Williams JL, Antaki JF, Boston JR, Williams SL, Woodard JC, Miller PJ, and Kormos RL, “Load-Sensitive Mock Circulatory System for Left Ventricular Assist Device Controller Evaluation and Development,” IEEE EMBS Proceedings, Part 1 of 2: pp. 89-90, 1994.

2. Williams JL, “Load-Sensitive Mock Circulatory System for Left Ventricular Assist Device Controller Evaluation and Development,” Master of Science Thesis, University of Pittsburgh, 1995.

3. Federspiel WJ, Lund LW, Wallace MA, Williams JL, and Hattler BG, “Development of a Novel Intravenous Membrane Oxygenator,” Annual Report, U.S. Army Medical Research and Material Command, Fort Detrick, June 1995.

4. Labadie RF, Antaki JF, Williams JL, Katyal S, Ligush J Jr., Watkins SC, Pham SM, and Borovetz HS, “Pulsatile Perfusion System for Ex-Vivo Investigation of Biochemical Pathways in Intact Vascular Tissue,” American Journal of Physiology, Vol. 270 (Heart and Circulatory Physiology, No. 39): H760-H768, 1996.

5. Federspiel WJ, Williams JL, and Hattler BG, “Gas Flow Dynamics in Hollow Fiber Membranes,” American Institute of Chemical Engineering Journal, Vol. 42, No. 7 (July, 1996), pp. 2094-2099.

6. Williams JL, Shusterman V, Saba S, “A Segmental Polynomial Model of Ventricular Electrograms as a Simple and Efficient Morphology Discriminator for Implantable Devices,” Annals of Noninvasive Electrocardiology, V. 11, No. 3 (July 2006), pp. 271-280.

7. Williams JL, Shusterman V, Saba S, “A Pilot Study Examining the Performance of Polynomial Modeled Ventricular Shock Electrograms for Rhythm Discrimination in Implantable Devices,” PACE, V. 29, No. 9 (September 2006), pp. 930-939.

8. Williams JL, “Projecting the General Cardiology Workforce Shortage,” American Heart Hospital Journal, V. 5 (Fall 2007), pp. 203-209.

9. Williams JL, Mendenhall GS, Saba S, “Effect of Ischemia on Implantable Defibrillator Intracardiac Shock Electrograms,” J Cardiovasc Electrophysiology, Vol. 19, No. 3 (March 2008), pp. 275-281.

   Reference: The Diagnostic Evolution of the Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device: The Implantable Monitor of Ischemia

10. Williams JL, Toyoda Y, Ota T, Gutkin D, Katz W, Zenati M, Schwartzman D, Feasibility of Percutaneous Myxomatous Mitral Valve Repair Using Direct Leaflet and Chordal Radiofrequency Ablation, Journal Interventional Cardiology, Vol. 21, Issue 6 (2008) pp. 547-557.

11. Schwartzman D, Williams JL, On the Electroanatomic Properties of Pulmonary Vein Antral Regions Enclosed by Encircling Ablation Lesions, Europace (December 23, 2008), eun361v1.

12. Williams JL, Comparisons of Safety-Net and Non Safety-Net Hospitals, Letter to the Editor, Journal of the American Medical Association, V. 300, No. 14 (October 8, 2008), pp. 1651-1652.

13. Rodgers GP, Conti JB, Feinstein JA, Griffin BP, Kennett JD, Shah S, Walsh MN, Williams ES, Williams JL. ACC 2009 Survey results and recommendations: Addressing the cardiology workforce crisis: a report of the ACC Board of Trustees Workforce Task Force. J Am Coll Cardiol 2009; 54:1195–208

14. Chandhok S, Williams JL, Schwartzman DS, “Anatomical analysis of recurrent conduction after circumferential ablation,” J Intervent Card Electrophysiol, (October, 2009), Online Publication

15. Wang NC, Williams JL, Jain SK, Shalaby A, “Post-Pacemaker Pulsations,” Amer J Med, V 122, No. 4 (April 2009), pp. 345-347.

16. Williams JL, Lugg D, Gray R, Hollis D, Stoner M, “Intrahissian Anisotropy and Second Degree Type I Block,” Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J. 2010; 10(6): 285–287.

17. Price S, Norwood C, Williams JL, McElderry HT, Merryman D, “Radiofrequency ablation directionally alters geometry and biomechanical compliance of mitral valve leaflets: refinement of a novel percutaneous treatment strategy,” Cardiovascular Engineering and Technology Accepted 6-10, Publication Pending.

18. Williams JL, Lugg D, Gray R, Hollis D, Stoner M, Stevenson R, “Patient Demographics, Complications, and Hospital Utilization in 250 Consecutive Device Implants of a New Community Hospital Electrophysiology Program,” American Heart Hospital Journal, V. 8, No. 1 (Summer, 2010), pp. 33-39.

19. Williams JL, “Spotlight Interview: Good Samaritan Hospital,” EP Lab Digest (April 2010), pp. 14-20.

20. Williams JL and Miksit J, “Implementation of a Highly-Performing Electrophysiology Device Implant Program: Is There a Role for Niche Hospitals?” EP Lab Digest (August 2010), pp. 27-29.

Dr. Robert T. Stevenson MD

1. Robert T. Stevenson MD, Parag P. Patel MD, William R. Davidson Jr. MD, Gerald V. Naccarelli MD, Deborah L. Wolbrette MD, Soraya M. Samii MD, Javier E. Banchs MD, Erica D. Penny-Peterson MD, Mario D. Gonzalez MD. Supernormal Conduction and Linking in an Accessory AV Pathway. Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology. Published Online July 29, 2009.

2. Co-Investigator. M.S. Hershey Medical Center. Hershey, PA. 12/2004-Present. STRADIVARIUS. Strategy To Reduce Atherosclerosis Development Involving Administration of Rimonabant – The Intravascular Ultrasound Study. Hershey Medical Center is one of a number of hospitals participating in this multicenter study. Investigators meeting attended. Mentor Ian Gilchrist, M.D.

3. Parag P Patel MD, Javier E. Banchs MD, Robert T. Stevenson MD, Nehal Patel MD, Gerald V. Naccarelli MD, Deborah L. Wolbrette MD, Soraya M. Samii MD, Erica D. Penny-Peterson MD, Mario D. Gonzalez MD. Distal Balloon Occlusion Allows Epicardial Lead Placement in a Tortuous Branch of the Great Cardiac Vein. (Accepted for publication Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology).

4. Parag P Patel MD, Javier E. Banchs MD, Robert T. Stevenson MD, Nehal Patel MD, Gerald V. Naccarelli MD, Deborah L. Wolbrette MD, Soraya M. Samii MD, Erica D. Penny-Peterson MD, Mario D. Gonzalez MD. Coronary Sinus Distal Balloon Occlusion for Left Ventricular Lead Placement in a Tortuous Target Vessel. GIAC 2008; 11, 27. (Presented in oral form at the XIII World Congress on Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology; Rome Italy. December 3, 2008)

5. Erica D. Penny-Peterson, MD, Robert Stevenson, MD, Parag P. Patel MD, Nehal Patel MD, Javier Banchs MD, Soraya Samii MD, PhD, Gerald Naccarelli MD, Deborah Wolbrette MD, Mario Gonzalez MD, PhD. Early versus Late Arrhythmias Occurring after Orthotopic Heart Transplantation. (Accepted for abstract poster presentation at Heart Rhythm 30th Annual Scientific Sessions, 2009).

Abstracts

Dr. Jeffrey L. Williams, MD, MS, FACC

1. Zijdenbos AP, Dawant BM, Margolin RA, Nimmerrichter AA, Levitt MJ, and Williams J, “Computer-aided Morphometrics of Cerebral Ventricles and White Matter Lesions in MR Images,” 11th Annual Meeting, Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 1992.

2. Williams JL, Antaki JF, Boston JR, Williams SL, Woodard JC, Miller PJ, Griffith BP, and Kormos RL, “Load-Sensitive Mock Circulatory System for Left Ventricular Assist Device Controller Evaluation and Development,” ASAIO Abstracts, p. 46, 1995.

3. Kresh JY, Izrailtyan I, Williams JL, Samuels L, Morris R, and Brozena S, “Non-Linear Analysis of Heart Rate Generator: Functional Reinnervation Following the Cardiac Transplantation,” Allegheny University: Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, Faculty Research Symposium, October, 1996.

4. Kresh JY, Izrailtyan I, Williams JL, and Brozena S, “Detection of Cardiac Allograft Autonomic Functional Reinnervation Using Measures of Heart-Rate Variability,” American College of Cardiology, 46th Annual Scientific Session, 1997.

5. Izrailtyan I, Kresh JY, Williams JL, Morris RJ, and Brockman SK, “Heart Transplantation Induced Modulation of Cardiac Rhythm Dynamics: The Role of Intrinsic Neuroendocrine Control,” Circulation, 70th Scientific Session, Vol. 96, No. 8, October 1997, Abstract #378.

6. Williams JL and Gerson MC, “First Case Report Suggesting Preeclampsia-Induced Atrial Fibrillation and Review of Arrhythmia Management During Pregnancy,” American College of Physicians: American Society of Internal Medicine, Annual Scientific Meeting, Ohio Chapter, October 2001, Poster #163CV.

7. Williams JL, Ganz L, Shusterman V, London B, and Saba S, “Higher-Order Polynomial Modeling of Rabbit Epicardial Ventricular Electrograms,” Heart Rhythm Society, Annual Scientific Meeting, May 2005, Session POST04, Board P4-10.

8. Williams JL, Shusterman V, Saba S, “Polynomial Modeling of Ventricular Shock Electrogram for Rhythm Discrimination in Implantable Devices,” JACC, V. 47, No. 4, Suppl. A (February 21, 2006), p. 15A.

9. Williams JL, “Projecting and Impending General Cardiology Workforce Shortage,” JACC, V. 49, No. 9, Supp. A (March 6, 2007), p. 277A.

10. Williams JL, Toyoda Y, Ota T, Katz W, Schwartzman D, Zenati M, “Feasibility of Myxomatous Mitral Valve Repair Using Direct Leaflet and Chordal Radiofrequency Ablation to Reduce Severe Mitral Regurgitation,” Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions, Volume 69, Issue 6 (Supplement, 11 April 2007), p. S53.

11. Williams JL and Saba S, “Effect of Ischemia on Implantable Defibrillator Intracardiac Shock Electrograms,” Heart Rhythm, P06-108, V. 4, Issue 5S (May 2007), pp. S394-S395.

12. Williams JL, Lugg D, Gray R, Hollis D, Stoner M, Stevenson R, “Patient Demographics, Complications, and Hospital Utilization in 250 Consecutive Device Implants of a New Community Hospital Electrophysiology Program,” Accepted Abstract #550, Quality of Care and Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke 2010 Scientific Sessions, American Heart Association, May 2010.

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