PORTLAND, ME October 22, 2012 — Mercy Hospital has announced that Seth D. Blank, M.D., a well-regarded cardiothoracic surgeon in Greater Portland for nearly twenty-five years, will lead its new thoracic-only focused surgical specialty practice beginning November 1st.
Dr. Blank will be joined by Joseph Schrader, PA-C, to address the continuum of in-patient and out-patient care associated with thoracic surgery. “Joe and I have worked as a team for nearly 18 years,” states Blank. “Together, we have made the decision to concentrate solely on this aspect of surgery and ensure the highest level of personal care and attention to detail that we can offer. It is a win-win for our patients.”
Portland Thoracic Surgery is located on the third floor of Mercy State Street, conveniently adjacent to the pulmonary department. The new practice is the most recent addition to a growing list of surgical specialties that Mercy offers. Maine Spine Surgery began accepting patients in early October.
Dr. Blank, who trained in general surgery at St. Raphael and Yale in New Haven, did a year of research at the Massachusetts General Hospital before completing his Cardiothoracic training at Case Western Reserve University. He has a strong interest in minimally invasive techniques and performed the first lobectomy in the State of Maine in 2006.
Joseph Schrader, PA-C, has been practicing in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery for over 27 years. In 1992, Mr. Schrader was the first Physician Assistant at Maine Medical Center to perform endoscopic harvesting of conduit for coronary artery bypass surgery. In addition, he was the Chief Physician Assistant in Cardiothoracic surgery at Maine Medical Center for 4 years. He is a graduate of University of Missouri and trained at the University of Alabama in Birmingham Prior to moving to Maine in 1992, Mr. Schrader worked at the New England Medical Center in Boston.
For more information, contact the Portland Thoracic Surgery Practice at 879-3120.



