Kootenai | Kootenai Health | Issue 3, 2021

Robert Burnett, M.D. Erick Montero, M.D. Don’t Ignore Chest Pain If you smoke or have ever smoked, you’re at a higher risk for lung cancer. And according to Robert Burnett, M.D., lung cancer in people who have never smoked is also on the rise. “If you are a smoker or former smoker, talk to your doctor about a screening low-dose chest CT, and even if you never smoked, don’t ignore any new chest symptoms,” he said. If you notice any symptoms, talk to your doctor. Patients who take advantage of the cardiothoracic program at Kootenai are normally referred through general practitioners or other doctors, such as cardiologists or pulmonary specialists. The best way to not have to see these thoracic doctors, Dr. Burnett advised, is to keep an eye on blood sugar and blood pressure, eat healthy and exercise, and not smoke. He recommends a screening CT if you smoke or have ever smoked, because early detection is the greatest tool. Your heart is in good hands If your doctor has talked to you about needing specialized heart care, Kootenai has you covered. Visit KH.org/heart to learn more about our cardiac services. Her roleat Kootenai Cardiothoracic surgeons specialize in oncological and surgical procedures of the heart, lungs, esophagus and other organs in the chest. They’re also called thoracic surgeons or cardiovascular surgeons. At Kootenai Health, Dr. Lennox will join Robert Burnett, M.D., who founded the program in 2003, and Erick Montero, M.D. This program is responsible for more than 4,000 open-heart surgeries on patients in the Inland Northwest. Dr. Burnett performed the lion’s share of these surgeries until Dr. Montero joined the team a few years ago. Dr. Burnett trained with Dr. Lennox’s mentors at UW. She is looking forward to working at Kootenai Health alongside a surgeon who is so well-regarded by those who helped develop her own talents. “I felt like it would be a good location to start my career as a young surgeon,” she said. “The opportunity for a young surgeon to have a good mentor is priceless.” Dr. Lennox will officially start at Kootenai Health in August. She’s excited to start her life in the Inland Northwest. “I love to go outside and adventure and explore the outdoors,” she said. “I really wanted to be somewhere that was close to the outdoors, somewhere near the mountains.” What shebrings to the team Dr. Burnett is likewise eager for Dr. Lennox to share her knowledge and fresh perspective with the team. “We’re really excited not only to have another surgeon, but to have one that is recently trained adds another dimension,” Dr. Burnett said. Kootenai Health works with UW on complex cases, according to Dr. Burnett, so Dr. Lennox enhances that partnership. “She provides us a stronger connection to the institution we use when we have to refer patients to a university-level setting,” he said. And, he said, her interest in mechanical circulatory support, “the cutting edge of cardiothoracic surgery,” will be a boon to local patients as Kootenai Health develops its technology and ability to provide blood flow and oxygen to patients on-site rather than sending them to major medical centers out of the area. “This will provide a great deal of benefit to the community,” Dr. Burnett said. Tori Lennox, M.D. KH . ORG 19