CEDAR RAPIDS—December 14, 2010—Cedar Rapids physician, Dr. David M. Lawrence, has announced he will be specializing exclusively in peripheral vascular and endovascular surgery as of January 2011 making him the only vascular surgeon of this kind serving the Cedar Rapids area.

As a board certified vascular surgeon with a particular focus in endovascular aneurysm surgery and minimally invasive treatment of varicose veins, Dr. Lawrence is one of twelve doctors within the Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa – Department of Surgical Specialists.  Here, he performs outpatient services such as varicose vein procedures and evaluations of peripheral arterial disease (PAD.)  In addition, Dr. Lawrence performs surgeries at St. Luke’s Hospital, Mercy Hospital, and Surgery Center Cedar Rapids including treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms, carotids, leg bypass procedures, AV fistulas, and angioplasty/stents procedures of the leg, kidney, and carotid arteries. 

"Patients with vascular disease have distinct needs; I value the opportunity to help treat the patients that referring physicians send to me.  By focusing entirely on vascular surgery I'm better able to serve this growing patient population," says Dr. Lawrence.  PCI–Department of Surgical Specialists sees hundreds of patients each year experiencing the full range of vascular disorders, from varicose and spider veins to aortic and peripheral arterial aneurysms. 

About Vascular Surgery
Vascular surgeons specialize in the treatment of diseases of the arteries and veins, commonly seen in patients with diabetes, high cholesterol, or a history of tobacco use.  Treatment may involve medical therapy, minimally-invasive catheter procedures such as stents, or surgical reconstruction to clear or bypass diseased arteries.

Endovascular therapy uses state of the art diagnostic and therapeutic interventions to treat a broad range of circulatory disorders often using balloons or stents.  When treated early major complications such as stroke, limb loss, or a ruptured aneurysm can be avoided.
About David M. Lawrence, MD
Dr. Lawrence was born and raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago and completed medical school at the University of Iowa. He served his residency at Lehigh Valley Hospital and went on to Geisinger Medical Center for his vascular fellowship. He returned to Cedar Rapids and joined Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa-Department of Surgical Specialists in 2005.

He has written and lectured about endovascular therapy and procedures. His clinical interests include minimally invasive treatment of aneurysms and vein disorders.  Lawrence is board certified in both general and vascular surgery and is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society for Vascular Surgery, the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery, the Peripheral Vascular Surgery Society, and the Iowa Medical Society.

Patients may be referred to Dr. Lawrence by calling (319) 362-5118 or (800) 728-5118.

Physicians’ Clinic of Iowa is a multidisciplinary medical specialty group founded in 1997. For more information on PCI, visit www.pcofiowa.com.

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