St. Luke’s University Health Network recently welcomed Dr. Elizabeth Adams, a board-certified specialist in pediatric cardiology who is also the only board-certified adult congenital heart disease specialist in the Lehigh Valley.
Dr. Adams’ pediatric outpatient office will be at 7001 N. Rt. 309 in Coopersburg. She will see her adult patients on the Anderson Campus in Bethlehem Township.
A native of New Tripoli, Dr. Adams is qualified to care for adults with congenital heart disease, which is a new field within cardiology.
“Congenital heart disease affects 1 percent of the population. That doesn’t sound like a lot, but when you think about the population of the Lehigh Valley, it’s a significant number of patients,” Adams said.
“We’re seeing a fairly sizable adult population with complex congenital heart disease that is best treated by someone with specific training in adult congenital cardiology,” she said. “For the first time in the United States, there are more adults living with congenital heart disease than children with congenital heart disease, a trend that is expected to continue. It’s exciting to bring a new skill set to the St. Luke’s network so we don’t need to send patients out of the area for care.”
Dr. Adams also specializes in treating heart problems and conditions in children, including congenital defects and acquired problems and illnesses such as Kawasaki Disease and rheumatic heart disease.
“I like to approach my patients in the same manner that I would want to see my own family members treated,” Dr. Adams said.
“I try to be very reassuring and help patients and their families understand what the issues are,” she added. “Whether it’s helping a concerned parent or an adult patient who doesn’t have a good understanding of his or her heart disease, I always take a good deal of time during their visits for education and explaining the importance of lifelong care.”
Dr. Adams earned her medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. She served a pediatrics internship at Geisinger Medical Center and completed her pediatrics residency at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital.
Dr. Adams then completed pediatric cardiology fellowships at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Penn State Hershey Medical Center, where she also subsequently became an adult congenital cardiology fellow.
She is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics, the American Board of Pediatrics’ sub-board of Pediatric Cardiology and the American Board of Internal Medicine, sub-board of Adult Congenital Cardiology.
“I really enjoy educating my patients and getting to know them so that I understand not just their heart disease, but also how it impacts their lives so we can treat it effectively,” she said.
Dr. Adams is currently accepting new patients. To schedule an appointment, please call 484-822-5099.
Note: This local health news is brought to you in partnership with St. Luke’s University Health Network.
