House Committee on Science

BOEHLERT TO UNDERGO BYPASS SURGERY

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 24, 2004 – Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) is scheduled to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery on Monday, September 27, 2004. During a routine, annual physical, conducted by the House of Representatives’ Attending Physician’s Office, heart abnormalities were discovered from an EKG test. Boehlert checked into the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland on Thursday, September 23, 2004, following a recommendation from the House of Representatives’ Attending Physician’s Office. During his examination at the National Naval Medical Center, a cardiac catherization was conducted, and blockage was discovered in several coronary arteries.

Nelson Burton, MD, Cardiothoracic surgeon, is scheduled to perform the surgery. Boehlert’s wife Marianne will travel to Maryland to be with her husband. Currently, Boehlert is resting comfortably at the National Naval Medical Center, and more information regarding his condition will be released on Tuesday, September 28, 2004, following surgery.

Joshua Yamamoto, MD, Attending Cardiologist at the National Naval Medical Center said, “Congressman Boehlert is in wonderful health. Coronary artery disease is the #1 killer in the United States, but because Congressman Boehlert took the initiative to take his annual physical, we identified his condition before any problems could occur. This type of surgery is a fastball down the middle of the plate in American medicine. Following surgery he will be stronger than ever as he recovers over the next few weeks.”