Local physician becomes first board-certified nuclear cardiologist in mid-Willamette Valley
Jan. 26, 2004
Thomas Marker, MD, a member of Samaritan Health Services’ Cardiovascular Consultants of Oregon, recently passed the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology (CBNC).
According to the CBNC Web site, Marker is one of only 14 doctors certified in nuclear cardiology in Oregon and the only one in the Corvallis, Lebanon and Albany areas. He has been practicing medicine in Corvallis since 1988.
Certification by the CBNC recognizes physicians who have demonstrated knowledge skills in the field of nuclear cardiology by successfully passing a comprehensive written examination. Since CBNC began administering exams in 1996, it has certified 3,117 physicians worldwide.
Nuclear cardiology is a branch of nuclear medicine involved primarily in the performance of diagnostic tests related to heart disease. These tests help physicians to assess the likelihood that their patients have coronary heart disease, and whether they are likely to have a heart attack – or worse – as a result of it. Nuclear cardiology is also used to assess how well the heart is contracting or pumping. Furthermore, it allows for more sophisticated decision-making, such as determining if heart muscle is dead or not functioning properly and what treatment options are most appropriate.
Marker, who traveled to Chicago for the exam, has been preparing for the test for more than a year.
“The studying necessary for the exam has definitely improved my overall knowledge about diagnostic testing for heart disease and the interpretations and performance of these procedures,” Marker said. “Samaritan Health Services has excellent equipment and technicians in the Nuclear Department, and in the future I hope to help advance the level of interpretation and innovation.”
In 2002, Samaritan Health Services’ cardiovascular program was named one of the nation’s top 100 for quality and efficiency by Solucient.
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