Articles
WELL-VERSED IN VEINS
Patients of Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists receive medical care in a friendly environment and with a personal touch.
A PASSION FOR VASCULAR SURGERY
When it comes to vascular
surgery, Northwest Vascular
and Vein Specialists rely on
expertise and compassion.
WELL-VERSED IN VEINS
Patients of Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists receive medical care in a friendly environment and with a personal touch.
words by Mitch Hurst
As with other specialties within the medical field, consolidation has had a profound impact on vascular and vein treatment. Practices are gobbled up by health care conglomerates, often leading to depersonalized service and a focus on profits over patients.
New patients who visit Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists will find it more like a visit to the family doctor, especially if the family doctor is a top specialist in her field.
“We are a specialty practice that has been around for years, and we take a very personalized approach. I evaluate and treat every single patient,” says Dr. Susanne Woloson, who formed Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists. “I call every single patient with their ultrasound results on the day of their test.”
A focus on customized care is one reason Northwest Vascular is the top vein care practice in Illinois. Woloson ensures that patients will understand all of the details of the procedures they will undergo and feel comfortable and confident about their care.
“We value patients’ time. Our process is streamlined, so patients are not waiting in the waiting room for an hour to see me,” says Woloson. “We believe in getting patients diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion.”
Dr. Woloson was born and raised in California and showed an early aptitude for tinkering and fixing things, including cars. She went on to earn a combined M.D. and Ph.D. from Chicago Medical School and trained at the University of Chicago and Loyola University.
“There is a big difference between someone specifically trained in vascular surgery and someone who gets certification online,” she says. “Patients should see a board-certified vascular surgeon so they can be confident they are getting the best possible care and the best outcomes.”
Dr. Woloson and her staff attend annual medical association conferences to stay current on the latest technology that affects and improves vein treatments, and she regularly relays her knowledge of non-invasive procedures to other vein doctors.
Symptoms of vein disease include heaviness of the leg, tiredness, skin discoloration, and lumpy skin. Ninety percent of Northwest’s procedures are deemed medically necessary and covered by insurance.
“All of our treatments are minimally invasive and performed in an office setting,” Dr. Woloson says. “We treat the patient’s symptoms and also provide a good visual result. There is no down time and patients come in for their followup already feeling better.”
Dr. Woloson’s experience and expertise, combined with the knowledge she and her staff have of the latest trends in the field, add up to top-level care for clients.
Last November, in a special section of Chicago Magazine titled Beauty Gurus, Dr. Woloson was named the top vascular surgeon treating vein disorders in the Chicago region.
“One of the country’s leading vascular surgeons, a distinction that sets her apart from the pros at strip mall vein clinics, is right around the corner,” the article said. “Woloson, whose technique and bedside manner have earned her a stellar reputation, specializes in minimally invasive treatments for everything from spider veins to painful varicose knots.”
SUSANNE K. WOLOSON, MD, PhD, RPVI
Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists
When it comes to vascular surgery, experience, skill, and a commitment to patient care matter. At Dr. Susanne Woloson's practice, patients receive comprehensive vascular and vein treatment backed by years of specialized training and a personalized approach to care.
Dr. Woloson is a board-certified vascular surgeon who has dedicated her career to the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease and vein disorders. Combining advanced medical expertise with compassion, she works closely with every patient to develop individualized treatment plans designed to achieve the best possible outcomes.
As founder of Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists, Dr. Woloson has built a reputation for excellence in vascular care. Her practice focuses on minimally invasive procedures that allow patients to return quickly to their normal activities while benefiting from effective treatment solutions.
Patients appreciate the personalized attention they receive throughout the treatment process. From initial consultation through follow-up care, Dr. Woloson and the entire team ensure that patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and expected outcomes.
Through continued education and involvement with leading medical organizations, Dr. Woloson stays current with advances in vascular and vein care, allowing her to offer patients the latest treatment techniques and technologies available.
Today, Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists continues to provide comprehensive care for patients seeking treatment for a wide range of vascular and venous conditions throughout the Chicagoland area.
A PASSION FOR VASCULAR SURGERY
When it comes to vascular surgery, Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists rely on expertise and compassion.
Words by Rebecca Holland
One might find it hard to believe that a girl who loved rebuilding car engines would grow up to be a vascular surgeon, but that's exactly what happened to Dr. Susanne Woloson. Dr. Woloson grew up in California raised by her high school educated parents. She had an affinity for fixing things and frequently helped her father in the yard with projects. When she was in college, she would spend time after class tinkering on cars at a local shop, in addition to working in a grocery store to save for her education.
Fast-forward several years, and the girl who enjoyed working on cars was now in medical school earning her M.D. and simultaneously a Ph.D in Molecular Biology. There were no physicians in the family to mentor her, but Woloson was immediately drawn to a surgical career because it fulfilled her need to “fix things.” She fell in love with vascular surgery in her internship year, primarily because of the gratification it provided. “If there is a blockage, I can go around it. I've traded working with oil for working with blood,” Dr. Woloson jokes.
Dr. Woloson earned her combined M.D. and Ph.D. from Chicago Medical School, then trained in general surgery at the University of Chicago from 1993-1998, and completed fellowship training in vascular surgery at Loyola University from 1998-2000. She has worked in private practice since then, and now founded Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists in 2014, focusing specifically on venous disease. She is also a registered physician in vascular interpretation (RPVI), which means that she is accredited to interpret vascular ultrasounds.
Susanne K. Woloson, M.D., Ph.D., RPVI, is a female board-certified vascular surgeon. With only 2 percent of vascular surgeons being women, she is unique among Vascular Surgeons around the country. Because most people with vein problems are women, she is more relatable to her patients, although she has a substantial male clientele as well.
Many physicians are treating vein problems these days, however, most of these doctors are not board-certified vascular surgeons. Instead, they have trained in other aspects of medicine and take online tests to become “certified” in veins. When compared to the seven years of vascular training after medical school that Woloson endured, working specifically with arteries and veins, it is clear her expertise far exceeds the online vein-certified treating physicians.
“There is a huge difference between someone specifically trained in vascular surgery, and someone who gets certified online,” Woloson says. “Patients should see a board-certified vascular surgeon so they can be confident that they are getting the best possible care and ensure the best outcomes.”
Dr. Woloson founded Northwest Vascular and Vein Specialists because she always had a passion for treating venous disease. She wanted to dedicate the second half of her career to focusing on these patients, using the latest and safest technology while providing excellent outcomes with state of the art equipment.
Woloson also wanted to have a practice where both men and women felt comfortable speaking about their vein issues.
Dr. Woloson’s office is very inviting with tasteful décor to make her patients feel at ease. Her office manager, Dena Gutierrez, has been with her for the last 15 years and is very knowledgeable regarding vein disorders. Gutierrez is available to answer questions that patients may have at any point in their care. She has partnered with her ultrasound technician, Ken Langworthy, for the last 13 years who is certified as a registered vascular technologist. Together, they train other physicians from around the country to perform safe venous procedures and accurate ultrasounds. To date, the team has performed more than 9,000 vein procedures in Dr. Woloson’s office.
Dr. Woloson prides herself on being approachable to her patients. She reads ultrasounds daily and calls her patients personally with their results or in the evening of their exam. Dr. Woloson does all of the patient billing in her office and has a dedicated employee to deal directly with insurance companies for pre-certification or denial issues.
“We accept all major insurances, answer all of your questions, and we get you in for appointments quickly, not three months down the road,” Woloson says.
“We want to be there for you, and want you to know that I am personally working with you to give you the confidence to show your legs again, resolving your symptoms using treatments that make you feel comfortable.”
