Working seamlessly with Hoag’s multidisciplinary team within the Elaine & Robert Matranga Aortic Center are two dedicated specialty nurses who deliver comprehensive, personalized care. Meet Rita Weise, MSN, ACNPC-AG, an acute care nurse practitioner and Meg Boeglin, RN, BSN, a clinical nurse navigator for the Marfan Syndrome and Related Conditions Program, part of the Matranga Aortic Center.
“A very rewarding part of my job is patient education and family screening. At Hoag, we complete a thorough family history and comprehensive physical exam of patients, which provides us critical information on how to best manage our patient’s care. I believe a patient’s anxiety is relieved once they understand their aortic disease and know they are in good hands with our expert team,” said Weise. “Patients end up being like family to us here at the aortic center. Every patient’s story is unique, and everything we do here is tailored to them.”
Imaging done through Hoag’s 3D lab, in conjunction with the aortic radiology team, is a key component of aneurysm surveillance for the 2,000 patients being seen at the Matranga Aortic Center. Weise coordinates these imaging studies as part of a patient’s ongoing care, thorough evaluation, and further coordinates care, when needed, with Hoag’s surgical team, led by Anthony Caffarelli, M.D., Director of Hoag Cardiac Surgery and the Elaine & Robert Matranga Aortic Center, and the Newkirk Family Endowed Chair in Aortic Care.
Meg Boeglin is uniquely positioned to understand the complexities of care as someone who has a cardiovascular-related connective tissue disorder.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is the ability to truly connect with patients on their concerns or fears with their disease, then ease those worries as I walk them through their care at Hoag. I can give patients a clearer picture of their medical situation,” said Boeglin.
For patients who are found to have aortic disease, Hoag is also able to offer genetic testing to determine whether anyone else in the patient’s family might also be at risk.
Some patients enter Hoag’s active surveillance program to stay ahead of aortic disease. Others are referred to Hoag’s nationally ranked aortic surgical team. And those patients with an underlying genetic condition, such as Marfan syndrome, are referred to renowned specialist David Liang, M.D.
Hoag is also committed to aortic research, giving patients access to global studies that are opening the door to new insights and treatments of aortic disease.
“Hoag provides world-class personalized medicine to patients and families living with aortic disease and genetic conditions. Our high-volume aortic center has a dedicated cardiac, surgical, and anesthesia team that provides leading-edge comprehensive care to our community and beyond. Our personalized patient experience, excellent outcomes, and high-performance ratings have contributed to the recognition of the Matranga Aortic Center, including Hoag’s program for individuals with Marfan syndrome and associated conditions, as a national center of excellence,” says Weise.
For more information, call 888-533-6403.
