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With the addition of a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mercy Southeast, area patients now have expanded access close to home for surgical treatment of cardiovascular and thoracic issues.
Russell McElveen, DO, has joined Mercy Clinic Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery – Broadway, 1723 Broadway, Suite 210, in Cape Girardeau, alongside Dr. Ulfur Gudjonsson and a skilled team of nurse practitioners. Cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons offer advanced care and treatment for conditions in the veins and arteries, heart, esophagus, lungs, trachea, and the aorta in the chest, including:
“With a new role come new faces,” Dr. McElveen said. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the Cape Girardeau community and the surrounding area. I always ask my patients where they live. When I have patients from small towns, I like to travel to those towns, and that becomes a point of conversation during their next visit.”
Hailing from Florence, South Carolina, Dr. McElveen earned a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences from Clemson University in South Carolina and later a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Pennsylvania. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.
“The hospital administration is excited about the new things happening here at Mercy Southeast,” Dr. McElveen said. “With LECOM becoming a strategic partner with Mercy in training the next generation of physicians, Mercy Southeast felt like the perfect fit for me. LECOM provided me with a great medical education, and this is a wonderful opportunity to give back to an institution that has given me so much in life.”
After completing fellowship training at the University of Mississippi, Dr. McElveen practiced in both North and South Carolina. After learning more about Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement at Northwestern, he made the move to Southern Illinois Healthcare in Carbondale, Illinois, where he stayed for seven years. Recently, Dr. McElveen served as adjunct assistant professor of surgery at the University of Missouri and provided coverage for several Mercy hospitals in Missouri.
“Mercy facilities are state of the art,” Dr. McElveen said. “Physicians in my specialty who I’ve interacted with had nothing but exemplary things to say about Mercy.”
Dr. McElveen is married to Dr. Desma Manigault-McElveen, also from South Carolina. Together, they have two teenage children, Russell and Rylee, as well as a basset hound named Mr. Waffles. In his free time, Dr. McElveen and his wife enjoy traveling and cheering on their children in sports. Dr. McElveen is actively involved in Gateway to Medicine, a program aimed at inspiring, educating and empowering the next generation of diverse health care professionals through mentorship, resources and opportunities on their journey to medical school. He is also a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and a member of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.
To make an appointment at Mercy Clinic Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery – Broadway, call 573-331-7870.
