Comprehensive Care:

People from all over the United States and countries around the world have come to Dr. Vrej Manoogian for total knee and hip replacement. He designed “The Living Hip”, a unique hip prosthesis that is unmatched in its ability to imitate the natural functions of the hip joint. The direct anterior approach, combined with “The Living Hip” prosthesis, has provided a revolutionary treatment for patients with hip arthritis. Since opening his Mount Dora-(near Orlando, Florida) based practice in 2001, Dr. Manoogian has paid meticulous attention to the proper alignment and ligament balancing for his total knee replacements, giving his patients outstanding results. Dr. Manoogian is boardcertified and fellowship-trained.

With open arms

While it may seem like futuristic technology, robotic surgery is alive and well in Lake County. Dr. Jon Radnothy was the driving force in bringing MAKOplasty robotic partial knee resurfacing to Florida Hospital Waterman. Other surgeons are now performing this knee surgery at the hospital, and the results have been excellent.

This innovative surgical technique offers patients:

• Faster recovery times

• Minimal hospitalization stay

• Reduced blood loss

• A more natural-feeling knee

• Less surgical scarring

• Minimal incisions

• Less post-operative pain

• Preservation of healthy bone and healthy tissue Source: www.makoplasty.com

A h serien

Mount Dora Christian Home and Bible students had an opportunity to participate in hands-on robotics activities and view a demonstration of the da Vinci robotic-assisted surgery system.

The system enables surgeons to perform delicate and complex operations through a few tiny incisions and with increased vision, precision, dexterity, and control. It consists of several key components, including four interactive robotic arms, a high-definition 3D vision system, and an ergonomically designed console where the surgeon sits while operating. ■

How does MAKOplasty work?

Before the surgery, a CT scan is used to make a threedimensional image of a patient’s knee. Then, the surgeon calculates a customized surgical plan that precisely pinpoints where arthritic knee bones need to be removed and where an implant should be placed. An added benefit is that healthy bone, ligaments, and tendons are spared. The procedure typically lasts between 45 minutes to one hour. ■

‘Ham’ming for Dimes

As dawn broke over Tavares on April 13th, the Lake County Auxiliary Communications ham radio operators were getting ready to support the March of Dimes’ March for Babies walkathon.

The operators set up a control station at Wooton Park, the staging area for the event. Fourteen volunteer ham radio operators provided radio communications to help monitor the walkathon’s fivemile course. They also helped transport walkers who could not finish the event back to the staging area.

More than 200 participants completed the walk and afterward, were treated to food and entertainment. March of Dimes raises money to help battle preterm births.

Facts about premature births

• One in nine babies is born prematurely in the United States.

• Between 1990 and 2006, the rate of premature birth increased by more than 20 percent.

• Four factors that often lead to premature birth include infections/ inflammation, maternal or fetal stress, bleeding, and stretching of the uterus.

• Lifestyle factors that could lead to premature birth include smoking, drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs, high levels of stress, and exposure to environmental pollutants

• Premature birth costs society more than $26 billion each year. ■ Source: www.marchofdimes.com/mission/prematurity_indepth.html

The future looks bright

Saad Ehtisham has been named as chief operating officer of Central Florida Health Alliance. A health care professional for more than 20 years, Ehtisham will be responsible for the health system’s operations. Most recently, he served as chief executive officer of University Medical Center, a 245-bed hospital system located near Nashville.

Seal of approval

Leesburg Regional Medical Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The ACR gold seal accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety.

“Being accredited by the ACR is something that makes our department and staff very proud,” says MRI technologist Gloria Smith. “When you see the ACR gold seal, you know the facility has undergone a rigorous review process, the staff is well qualified to perform your procedure, and the equipment takes optimal images.”

MRI is a noninvasive medical test that uses magnetic fields to create images of internal body parts to help physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions. The hospital offers MRI of the head, body, and spine, as well as musculoskeletal MRI and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). ■

“It is a great honor for me to join the compassionate, world-class health care team at Central Florida Health Alliance,” he says. “I look forward to being part of the rich history and legacy of excellent care. Central Florida Health Alliance is well-positioned on its path of excellence, and I embrace the opportunity to help lead the way in high-quality care and improved patient outcomes.”

In 2012, he was named as one of the top 25 minority health care executives in the United States by Modern Healthcare. ■