Joseph Surmitis, MD

Joseph Surmitis, MD, is a clinical cardiologist in the Section of Regional Cardiovascular Medicine in the Tomsich Family Department of Cardiovascular Medicine of the Miller Family Heart, Vascular & Thoracic Institute. He sees patients at the Mercy Hospital Jackson Outpatient Care Building, Massillon.

Specialty Interests: Coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, congestive heart failure (CHF), valvular heart disease, adult general cardiology, outpatient assessment and treatment of cardiac disease 

Experience: Dr. Surmitis has more than 30 years’ experience in the diagnosis and management of all forms of heart disease, including coronary artery disease, heart attack and heart failure. As an interventional cardiologist he performed more than 15,000 heart catheterizations and 7,500 coronary interventions.

Success Rates:Cleveland Clinic's Tomsich Family Department of Cardiovascular Medicine has physicians in every cardiovascular specialty working to offer the latest medications and interventional heart disease procedures. The end result — better heart care outcomes for our patients. Cleveland Clinic has been rated the top heart center in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for more than 20 consecutive years, drawing patients from across the country and around the world. To learn about patient outcomes for specific conditions and procedures at Cleveland Clinic, go to http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/about-heart-vascular-institute/treatment-outcomes.aspx

Education: Dr. Surmitis earned his medical degree from Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Rootstown, Ohio, and holds master’s degrees in biology and theology from the University of Akron and Walsh University, Canton, Ohio, respectively. He completed his residency in internal medicine at Akron City Hospital, and his fellowship in cardiology at University Hospitals of Cleveland, Case Western University.

Dr. Surmitis was named to the Mercy Hospital medical staff in 1999. Prior to joining the hospital staff, he had been in private practice in the Canton-Massillon area since 1989. During this time, he developed and directed the first interventional cardiology program at Doctor’s Hospital of Stark County and Massillon Community Hospital, Massillon, Ohio.

Research, Publications and Speaking: Dr. Surmitis was the site principal investigator for the EARLY ACS clinical trial at Doctors’ Hospital of Stark County, under the direction of the Duke University Research Institute. The study evaluated the efficacy of early drug treatment in reducing death, heart attack and urgent surgery in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and was published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr. Surmitis currently serves as the medical expert for the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown, Ohio.

About Dr. Surmitis:“I strive to deliver compassionate, accurate cardiac diagnosis and treatment, while respectfully addressing each patient with dignity as a unique individual with unique medical, physical and social needs. I emphasize the education of patients and their families to guide their decision-making about their care, with the goals of enhancing each patient’s quality of life, providing for a long life and avoiding hospitalization. My greatest personal fulfillment comes when patients tells me their life has been made more enjoyable because of our teamwork in guiding their health care and addressing their concerns.”

Leisure Activities: In his leisure time, Dr. Surmitis enjoys classical piano performance; a passion for live music as well as well-performed, recording and reproduced music. I thoroughly enjoy discussing all things related to theology and aviation. I am a fan of all Cleveland professional sports. Mostly, I enjoy spending time with my wife Jane, daughter Kendra and her husband Alex, family, friends, and with our beloved pets.