New ACMH Surgeon Brings University Expertise
Dr. Rodney Landreneau (flanked by Medical Assistant Sue Zoeller (left) and Nurse Practitioner Kimberly Swendsen) opened his private practice within ACMH after operating in the university system for decades.
by Jonathan Weaver
Moving from an “academic world” to private practice has gone on without a hitch for Dr. Rodney Landreneau.
The new ACMH thoracic surgeon has been around the United States - at universities in Texas and Missouri, as well as Pittsburgh – but is glad to be in Kittanning after he grew up in a rural town in Louisiana and worked on a family farm
Father, Rodney, was also a surgeon.
“I just really (thought based) on where I am in my career felt that private practice was an outstanding opportunity, and to focus that opportunity here in Kittanning,” Landreneau said.
Landreneau cited local highways that can take motorists to Allegheny or Indiana Counties, vast medical resources available and ACMH’s goal of “being a regional, yet rural center of medical excellence where people don’t have to go into Pittsburgh for high-level care.”
“I’ve had a robust referral pattern from Armstrong and this area into the city. Now, rather than folks having to go into the city, be intimidated by the traffic, they can be less-inconvenienced by that,” Landreneau said. “We’re providing the same care we did in Pittsburgh here.”
The former Lung Cancer Head and Division Chief of Thoracic Surgery in the Allegheny Health Network, Dr. Landreneau was the first in the world to utilize minimally invasive video surgery to remove lung cancer back in the early-1990`s and established the first thoracic surgical team treating esophageal cancer and benign esophageal disease in North America.
Dr. Landreneau looks to next set up a cancer research program “very soon” at ACMH in collaboration with the Allegheny Health Network medical oncologists.
A practicing physician in the Pittsburgh area since 1989, Landreneau has built relationships with local doctors during lectures in the past and was “pleasantly surprised” after beginning earlier this year.
“This really is an outstanding nursing and medical staff that is doing a really good job for the people of this region,” Landreneau said. “It’s just been very rewarding to work with our staff here.”
The father of seven, Landreneau lives in the Cranberry area with his wife, Sandra, and three children. Two of his older sons – Joshua and James - also work in medicine. His youngest daughter – Jordan – also wants to pursue medicine after high school.
“I hope I’ve influenced them positively,” Dr. Landreneau said. “It’s a great field, great profession helping others.”
Nurse Practitioner Kimberly Swendsen (with family in New Castle, Gibsonia and Zelienope) has worked with Dr. Landreneau for more than18 years, as has Medical Assistant Sue Zoeller.
“We’re kind-of like a family – we all get along very well,” Swendsen said. “We’re a great team and we know how to function in our place, but best for the patient.”
Swendson said there is more freedom to take care of patients, but also a lot more paperwork and attention to financial information.
“It’s been a good change for us – it’s promoted a lot of growth for our practice,” Swendson said.
Dr. Landreneau operates one or two days per week but is in the Kittanning office every Friday.
Local News | jweaver April 26, 2016
By worthingtonman, April 26, 2016 @ 1:05 PM
@jonathon
Just a warning. Inner City is considered a racist word by Liberals. I once had that pointed out to me onetime while being labeled a bigot.