Dr. Stephen Laga hails from Baylor, a premier hospital in Houston, Texas, and has been practicing medicine for over thirty years.
Trained by the greatest surgeons of the 20th century, Dr. Laga said, “Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital’s culture of excellence meticulously crafted by CEO Ric Schmidt radiates out from every practitioner and team member. This is an excellent, well-rounded facility to both practice medicine and to be treated as a patient. It is a joy and honor to bring my practice here to Pleasant Prairie.”
EXCELLENCE THROUGH AND THROUGH
Dr. Laga was trained by the father of modern cardiovascular surgery himself, Dr. Michael DeBakey. “I saw Dr. DeBakey on TV when I was very young,” said Dr. Laga. “He was at the Houston Medical Center speaking about aortic aneurisms. Dr. DeBakey invented heart surgery as we know it today and many of the instruments we use. I knew watching that TV segment that I wanted to work with him. As I grew up and pursued my career in medicine, I was able to tell Dr. DeBakey my story of how he inspired me. We ended up working side by side, and he became my greatest mentor. I am immensely fortunate to have been trained by the very best in the field of cardiothoracic surgery.”
For Dr. Laga, excellence is the standard. “With my over three decades of experience in the medical field, the culture of excellence created by Ric Schmidt here at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital stands head and shoulders above the rest. It is admirable that this administration cares about excellence in all aspects of this institution from the physical building and the technology being used to the practitioners it attracts and the team members it employs. I did not want to bring my practice anywhere else but here.”
CHANGING PEOPLE’S LIVES HEART TO HEART
As a cardiothoracic surgeon, Dr. Laga performs virtually all types of open-heart and lung surgeries including coronary artery bypass, aortic valve replacement, angiography, angioplasty, pacemaker procedures, thoracic oncologic procedures, and many other types of specialized repair and replacement surgeries. Dr. Laga brings the unique skills and training to perform the new minimally invasive TAVR procedure (transcatheter aortic valve replacement) for patients here at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital.
“I do not take it lightly that what I do changes people’s lives. I am fiercely loyal to my patients and passionate about my profession. I am committed to putting my best efforts, training, compassion, and care into mending the hearts of my patients. In doing so, I give them a second chance at life. Post-surgery, my patients are given more time to live, work, play, and be with their loved ones. My work has a meaningful impact on my own heart and soul, and it is rewarding to know that my work has such a profoundly positive impact on the lives of my patients and their families,” said Dr. Laga.
THIS CITY IS A GEM, THIS HOSPITAL ADDS THE SPARKLE
After spending much of his time in Texas, Dr. Laga is greatly impressed with Southeastern Wisconsin. “The Kenosha area is a gem! This is a wonderful community full of great people. I am finding this to be an excellent place to live and work,” said Dr. Laga. “Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital adds the sparkle to this area by having top notch facilities and providers. Patients can stay in this community for their medical care and do not need to travel to other cities or other hospital systems. The convenience here is remarkable, and I am continually impressed.”
Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital has experienced a 40% growth in recruiting new physicians. Dr. Laga said, “The culture of excellence and outstanding leadership at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital is a magnet for leading-edge practitioners. We have a world-class team of cardiologists here that perform a wide range of treatments. We have comprehensive diagnostic abilities and therapeutics here. Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital is incredibly well-equipped to provide comprehensive care for this community.”
LIFE ADVICE FROM DR. LAGA
“The best way to receive the comprehensive care here at Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital is to establish yourself with a primary care provider,” said Dr. Laga. To find a primary care provider through Froedtert Pleasant Prairie Hospital call 262-656-DOCS.
“Once you have a primary care provider,” said Dr. Laga, “schedule regular checkups. Preventative care is immensely important. Additional advice from a heart surgeon is to stop smoking, lose a few pounds, pay attention to diabetic needs, get some exercise, and care about what you eat.”
Dr. Laga has been married to his sweetheart, Laurie, for over forty-six years and has three children and eight grandchildren. “I am proud of my children for pursuing their own passions,” said Dr. Laga. “My son is a civil engineer, one of my daughters is a graphic designer, and my other daughter is an attorney. Most of my family is in the Midwest, and I am grateful to be close to my kids and grandkids. Time with family is important, and I strive to help my patients get more healthy, quality time with their families.”
For more information or to schedule an appointment with Cardiology, contact 262-653-5483.
