Dr. Gerasimos Stavens, cardiologist, wants to share information about women and heart disease, and has scheduled a free class on the topic. It is set for noon to 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center.

Dr. Stavens sees patients every first and third Friday of the month at the St. Rose Specialty Clinic.

The public and St. Rose staff are invited to this educational session, which will be held in the St. Dominic Room in the St. Rose basement. No pre-registration is required and Dillon’s will donate a heart-healthy lunch.

"I enjoy educating the public and medical staff regarding the newest guidelines of good cardiac care," Dr. Stavens said, noting questions will be encouraged during and following the presentation. "This class will offer a detailed synopsis of new topics regarding women and heart disease.

"I also want to show my appreciation to the Great Bend community for accepting me as a new physician four years ago," he added. "I received a warm welcome since my first scheduled clinic day."

Class topics will include: heart disease symptoms present differently in women compared to men; diagnostic tests may be less accurate for women; one should be aware of their risk-factor profiles; knowing the warning signs of heart attack and stroke; and promoting heart-disease prevention.

Dr. Stavens has been seeing patients at St. Rose since 2008.

"This was my first outreach clinic in Kansas," Dr. Stavens said. "I have been impressed with St. Rose’s organization and especially its efficient departments such as Urgent Care, ultrasound and nuclear imaging."

Dr. Stavens’ home base is Cypress Heart in Wichita, a seven-physician group practicing general cardiology, including invasive, interventional, peripheral vascular, electrophysiology and device implantation.

"My practice includes heart catheterization, echocardiogram and stress testing procedures, as well as pacemaker implantation," Dr. Stavens noted. "I am available by phone for consultation and emergent transfers. Also, I hope that in the near future I can extend my St. Rose visits to once a week."

Dr. Roger Evans, another Cypress Heart cardiologist, also sees patients at St. Rose’s Specialty Clinic.

"We have established a warm relationship with the local referring physicians, and the staff has been remarkably helpful in assisting, as well," he added. "I look forward to many more years of providing high-quality care to St. Rose."

February is American Heart Month and the emphasis this year is on women and heart disease.