Writer / Janelle Morrison
Dr. Jeffery Schoonover, Diplomate, American Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine, was one of the first physicians in the nation to be certified by this board in 2008. As a venous and lymphatic medicine specialist, Dr. Schoonover is dedicated to treating varicose vein disease and related disorders. He and his team at Indiana Vein Specialists are committed to providing minimally invasive treatment of venous disease while caring for their patients as if they are members of the family.
After graduating from Michigan State University, Dr. Schoonover served as a physician for four years in the United States Air Force, achieving the rank of major. Following his time in the Air Force, he went into private practice as a family physician. “I obtained additional training in varicose vein treatment because I found working with my patients with chronic venous insufficiency or vein disease to be challenging,” Dr. Schoonover explained. “They had long-term swelling, chronic issues and some had wounds that wouldn’t heal.”
Approximately 40 million Americans are affected by vein disease. Prior to the technological advancements in this field, there were only two treatment options available: long-term use of compression stockings or surgical vein stripping, an in-patient procedure with significant downtime and a high recurrence rate.
In 2004, there was a tremendous change in the philosophy of the treatment of varicose veins as new technology was introduced. “An ultrasound guided laser now allows the doctor to go in and seal the faulty veins,” Dr. Schoonover said. Indiana Vein Specialists was one of the first practices in central Indiana to offer endovenous laser therapy with the newer 1470 nanometer wavelength system. This process uses laser wavelengths that targets the vein wall, resulting in less bruising and a quicker recovery. “Our group was the first to have that system and to use it,” Dr. Schoonover explained. “We also offer ultrasound guided sclerotherapy. That is an innovative way of taking care of the leftover branches following laser treatment. To treat those areas is key to long-term management of the disease.” The newest treatment development is using an injection of a prescription medication called Varithena® with ultrasound guidance to seal off the vein. “Again, we are one of the first offices in central Indiana to offer Varithena. We can treat the same segments that were traditionally treated with laser therapy and it is even less invasive,” Dr. Schoonover said. “The pendulum has clearly swung over to these minimally invasive treatments. Our patients can return to their normal activities quickly.”
Indiana Vein Specialists opened their first office in Fishers in 2011 and with a growing need to have a second facility to meet the needs of patients, they opened their west Carmel office in August of 2014. Dr. Schoonover’s staff of eleven includes a nurse practitioner and a physician assistant.
Dr. Schoonover resides in Carmel with his wife of 20 years, Kari, and their two sons, 15-year-old Erik and 9-year-old Kristian.
