Rochester Medical Center
We are a private multi-specialty clinic that works together with our patients to help them achieve their health goals, prevent disease, and live longer by practicing cutting edge, academic medicine, using the latest medical technology, and collaborating and partnering with the world’s best healthcare systems. We focus on the complete health and wellbeing of every patient. We pride ourselves on our history of excellence, our dedication to this mission, to finding the cause, and to being the best and getting results. Founded by the esteemed Professor Pierre Atallah, MD, FACC, FSCCT, our center has been at the forefront of cardiovascular care and disease prevention for over four decades.
Prioritizing Prevention and
Personalized Care
At Rochester Medical Center, we believe that true health goes beyond treating symptoms, it’s about proactively nurturing overall wellness. Our patient-centric philosophy is rooted in the principles of early detection, personalized treatment plans, and a comprehensive approach that addresses the whole person.
We understand that every individual is unique, with distinct health needs, lifestyles, and goals. That’s why we take the time to listen, understand your concerns, and tailor our services to your specific requirements. Our team of highly skilled healthcare professionals collaborates closely to develop customized strategies that empower you to achieve optimal health and vitality.
A Private Clinic Dedicated
To Better Outcomes
Cutting Edge Facilities
And Innovative Treatments
What we
Treat
CARDIOLOGY
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Hypertension
- Valvular Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Syncope
- Chest pain
- Palpitations
- Heart Flutter
- Heart Failure
- Blood Clots
- Cardiomyopathy
- Endocarditis
- Angina
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Arrhythmias
- Structural Heart Disease
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Preventative Cardiology
INTERNAL MEDICINE / PRIMARY CARE
- Hyperlipidemia
- Diabetes
- Thyroid Disease
- Kidney Disease
- Allergies
- Asthma
- Headaches
- Obesity/ Weight Management
- Nutrition
- Preventative Health
- Annual Physicals
- Medicare Annual Wellness Visits
- Sports Medicine
- Neuropathy
- Women’s Health
- Stroke
- TIA
- Seizure Disorder
- Muscle Pain
- Back Pain
- GERD
- Cancer Screening & Diagnosis
- COPD
- Alzheimer’s
- Dementia
- Osteoporosis
- Anxiety & Depression
- Clotting Disorder
- Pleural Effusion
- Men’s Health
VASCULAR
- Vein Disease
- Venous Insufficiency
- Edema/ Leg Swelling
- Restless Leg Syndrome
- Arterial Disease
- PAD
- Carotid Disease
- Spider/Reticular Veins
CONCIERAGE MEDICINE
- Executive Physicals
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
Our
Procedures
- Diagnostic cardiac catheterization
- Interventional cardiology
- PCI/Stent placement
- Angioplasty
- Complex PCI
- Valve repair and replacement
- Pacemaker implantation and management
- Cardiac ablations
- Coronary artery bypass grafting
- Arterial bypass grafting
- Peripheral arterial stenting
- Carotid artery stenting
- Thrombectomy
- Carotid artery endarterectomy
- Loop recorder implantation
- Venous/Vein procedures
A Look At Our
Our History
The Rochester Medical Center was born in 1976. Originally known as the Rochester Diagnostic & Rehabilitation Center, it was located on Walton Blvd. in Rochester Hills. It was established and run by Dr. Pierre Atallah, and his wife, Nurse Shea the same year they were married. In 1989, we moved to downtown Rochester where we built the Atallah Heart Center on Main Street.
First Cardiologist in Rochester
Dr. Pierre Atallah was the first cardiologist in Rochester. In addition to treating patients in his office he provided a full range of on-site diagnostic testing. The local hospital did not have the ability to test blood enzymes to diagnose a heart attack. We did. Blood samples were sent to our office for testing by the hospital. The local hospital did not have advanced technology for cardiac diagnosis so it brought its patients, on stretchers, to our office for testing. Additionally, we provided the first and only nuclear testing in the area.
First Cardiac Rehabilitation
We also established the first out-patient cardiac rehabilitation program in Michigan. Patients exercised and rode stationary bikes while being monitored by an EKG (electrocardiogram). This improves the ability to exercise and increases blood to the heart by creating new blood vessels.
First Emergency Medical Information Card
Nurse Shea Atallah invented the first Emergency Medical Information Card nearly fifty years ago. At that time there were no computers and electronic medical records. The first of its kind, the wallet sized card is a miniature patient medical chart. It lists the patient’s diagnoses, history, medications, allergies and other pertinent information. Its original purpose was to accelerate the treatment of patients who need to go to an Emergency Room.
The ER physician would know the patient’s existing conditions at once, making diagnosis and treatment faster. Much copied by area hospitals, it has evolved over the years becoming even more useful as an educational tool for our patients.
First Cardiac Cath Lab in Rochester Area
At that time the only method for detailed diagnosis of coronary artery disease was an invasive procedure known as cardiac catheterization. The nearest catheterization laboratory was in Royal Oak. It wasn’t long before Dr. Atallah overcame the bureaucratic and financial obstacles to build the first cardiac catheterization laboratory in the area for the many communities served by the local hospital.
The First Natural Bypass
Professor Atallah brought the first all-natural treatment for heart disease to Michigan in 2001. The process known as Enhanced External Counter Pulsation, EECP for short, was the second in the entire Mid-West. EECP is an alternative to surgery and stents for certain people. This painless outpatient procedure creates new blood vessels in the heart. We do this by applying simple inflatable cuffs to a person’s legs. These cuffs pump blood back up to the heart under pressure which encourages the growth of new vessels. These new vessels carry more blood and oxygen to the heart, reducing chest pain and increasing exercise ability. This FDA approved procedure has had a 95% success rate at our clinic for almost a quarter of a century.
First 3D Heart Scan
Dr. Atallah brought the first three-dimensional heart scan to Michigan. At the time it was one of four in the USA and one of fifteen in the world. This cardiac imaging technique allows physicians to “see” the heart in multiple dimensions to assess heart blockages without pain, surgery, or cardiac catheterization. The test is called CT Coronary Angiography. Computer Tomography (CT) creates a photographic image of the interior of the heart.
For decades Dr. Atallah has been training and certifying cardiologists and radiologists from all over the country, and from overseas, in reading 3D scans at the Rochester Medical Center. He established and directed the Harper University Hospital’s Computer Tomography Angiography program at Harper. He is a professor at Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Our Philosophy
We wrote our philosophy of patient care in 1976 and haven’t changed it since. We have always used the latest technology but never wanted to feel intimidated by it. We have always encouraged a more personalized holistic approach to treating people.
In the 1970s the practice of medicine was far more paternalistic than it is today. Generally, doctors were presumed to be in change, and patients were generally expected to follow doctor’s orders. The concept of partnering in healthcare was inconceivable. We have been a pioneer in patient-centered care from the beginning.
Our patients are intelligent individuals, seeking medical advice or treatment. Our patients have the right to accept or reject the medical advice offered to them. Our patients choose to come to our facility freely and are to be treated as our guests. It is the responsibility of each staff member to be courteous, cheerful, prompt, thoughtful and understanding of our patients at all times. We treat people, not disease entities or systems. It is our custom to engage the patients and through communication and education involve them in their own health care. We believe that together we can make a difference. We believe that technology and science need not be dehumanizing. It is our experience that scientific expertise and human understanding and compassion are not mutually exclusive.
@2024 R. Shea Atallah
Rochester Diagnostic & Specialty Center
In 1990 we opened the Rochester Diagnostic & Specialty Center on Main Street in downtown Rochester. We call it the RDSC for short. This was the first state- of -the- art outpatient testing facility in the area. Diagnostic testing is available all in one place just a few steps from the parking lot. There are no parking fees or long walks to the building characteristic of hospital testing facilities. We specialize in CT scans, general radiology, stress testing, nuclear medicine, SPECT scans, ultrasounds, and bone density tests.
Our services are available to all our patients, to any referring health care provider, and to individuals who prefer to have their testing performed in a welcoming private facility, with comfortable surroundings and friendly staff members. Just bring your prescription to us and we will be happy to schedule you.