Surgical Service Lines Updated

Penn Highlands Healthcare recently announced changes in two of its surgical centers of excellence. New physicians have been added to both the general surgery and orthopedic surgery service lines at the DuBois location.

The first change includes a new partnership with University Orthopedics Center of State College will bring nine orthopedic specialists to DuBois to perform surgeries and office visits at Penn Highlands DuBois. Appointments are being scheduled for the start of their practice in January. Orthopedic medical and surgical services will continue to be performed at Penn Highlands Clearfield by Dr. Mark Nartatez and Dr. Rodolfo Polintan and at Penn Highlands Elk by Dr. Ted Eshbach and Dr. Naveen Singanamala.

The board certified orthopedic surgeons from UOC who will now be seeing patients in DuBois include:

SPINE SURGERY
Joel A. Torretti, MD – Dr. Torretti has been seeing patients in the DuBois office since 2013 and is a board certified and fellowship-trained spine surgeon, completing his first Spine Fellowship at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H. in 2007. Dr. Torretti completed a second spine fellowship at University of Berne in Switzerland in February of 2008.

After receiving his medical degree from The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, Pa. in 2001, Dr. Torretti completed his surgical internship followed by his orthopedic residency, also at Penn State.

Gregory M. Bailey, DO – Dr. Bailey is a fellowship trained spine surgeon, completing his spine fellowship at ViaHealth in Rochester, N.Y. in 2003.

After receiving his medical degree from Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1997, Dr. Bailey completed his surgery internship followed by his orthopedic surgery residency at Doctors Hospital, Columbus, Ohio in 2002.

FOOT AND ANKLE SURGERY
Bradley A. Barter, DO – Dr. Barter is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in foot and ankle surgery. He completed his Foot and Ankle Fellowship at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia in 2003. His training and experience include unique competencies in the treatment of foot and ankle, knee, hand, trauma and pediatrics.

After receiving his Medical Degree from Michigan State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, East Lansing, Mich. in 1997, Dr. Barter completed his internship at Botsford General Hospital, an affiliate of Michigan State University and his residency at St. Michael Hospital, an affiliate of Oklahoma State University.

GENERAL ORTHOPEDICS AND TOTAL JOINT REPLACEMENT
Kenneth L. Cherry, MD - Dr. Cherry co-founded University Orthopedics Center in 1991. His training and experience include unique competencies in the treatment of total joint replacement of the hip and knee.

After graduating from The Pennsylvania State University in 1982, Dr. Cherry earned his Medical Doctorate from Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University in 1985. He completed his surgery internship at Lehigh Valley Hospital Center in 1986 and his Orthopedic Residency at Thomas Jefferson University in June 1990.

Kyle J. Hubler, DO – Dr. Hubler is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in total joint replacement. He completed his Adult Reconstruction and Orthopedic Trauma fellowship at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minn. in July 2012. His training and experience include unique competencies in the areas of Total Joint Replacement, Fracture care, Post-traumatic arthritis, and Post-traumatic reconstruction.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science and graduating Cum Laude at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Hubler received his Medical Degree at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2006. He completed his internship and residency at Memorial Hospital, York, in 2011.

Christopher S. McClellan, DO – Dr. McClellan is a specialist in general orthopedics and is a board certified orthopedic surgeon. His training and experience include unique competencies in the areas of Total Joint Replacement, Fractures, and Sports Medicine. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree at the Juniata College in Huntingdon, Dr. McClellan received his Medical Degree at Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2000. He completed his internship and residency at Pinnacle Health Hospitals in Harrisburg, PA in 2005.

SPORTS MEDICINE
Thomas J. Ellis, DO – Dr. Ellis is a sports medicine fellowship trained and board certified orthopedic surgeon. He completed his Sports Medicine Fellowship at The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. His training and experience include unique competencies in the areas of total knee replacement, shoulder, and sports injuries.

After receiving his B.S. in biology from The Pennsylvania State University in 1984, Dr. Ellis received his medical degree from The Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in 1988. He completed his internship and his residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Kennedy Memorial Hospital, in 1993.

Paul R. Sensiba, MD – Dr. Sensiba is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. He completed his Sports Medicine Fellowship at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh in July of 2010. His training and experience include unique competencies in the treatment of sports injuries, cartilage restoration, total joint replacement and minimally invasive surgery including arthroscopy of the shoulder, knee, elbow and ankle.

After receiving his Medical Degree from The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio in 2004, Dr. Sensiba completed his residency at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.

William A. Tyndall, MD, PhD - Dr. Tyndall is a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. He completed his Sports Medicine Fellowship at Union Memorial Hospital in 2003. His training and experience include unique competencies in the treatment of knee, shoulder, elbow, and sports injuries.

After receiving his Medical Degree from Thomas Jefferson University and his Ph.D. in biochemistry and molecular biology from Jefferson Medical College, Dr. Tyndall completed his internship and residency at the Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-University Hospital in 2002.

The UOC physicians will perform elective surgeries at Penn Highlands DuBois and see patients in their new office located in the Penn Highlands DuBois Medical Arts Building, 145 Hospital Avenue, Suite 311, DuBois.

The second change to the surgical service lines includes contracting orthopedic surgeons and general surgeons who will perform emergent procedures coming through the Penn Highlands DuBois Emergency Department. Synergy Surgicalists of Bozeman, Mont. have been contracted to work with emergency room physicians to get patients the most timely and efficient care for both general and orthopedic surgical needs.

In 2010, Penn Highlands DuBois started an orthopedic surgicalist program that could see emergent orthopedic patients. Dr. Keith Zeliger, longtime area orthopedic surgeon and one of the founders of the orthopedic surgicalist program, will continue working in that capacity. He will be joined by two new board certified orthopedic surgicalists who will perform any needed surgeries at Penn Highlands DuBois and see patients at their office in the Medical Arts Building.

ORTHOPEDIC SURGICALISTS
William D. Fritz, MD – Dr Fritz received his medical degree at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, N.Y. He completed his general surgery internship at Mercy Hospital in Pittsburgh and an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Fritz has also completed fellowships at the University of Pittsburg in the Department of Plastic Surgery – Micro-vascular Research and Limb Transplantation. He currently maintains an orthopedic practice in Jamestown, New York.

Rafik D. Muawwad, MD – Dr. Muawwad received his medical degree at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. He also completed his general surgery internship at American University Hospital in Beirut. He completed a general surgery residency at the University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y. and an orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, Mo.

Dr. Muawwad also retired in 2011 as a Colonel and flight surgeon for The United States Air Force Reserve following many overseas missions and medical training programs. Prior to working as an orthopedic surgicalist, Dr. Muawwad maintained a full-time practice in Oxon Hill, Md.

In addition to the orthopedic surgicalist service at Penn Highlands DuBois, three new general surgeons began serving emergent patients in December. This new service will allow existing general surgeons, Dr. Eric Lundgren and Dr. Kelley Smith, to concentrate on their practices and not have to be on call for coverage of the Penn Highlands DuBois Emergency Department. The new board certified general surgeons covering the surgical needs in the emergency department will perform any needed surgeries at Penn Highlands DuBois and see patients in the Medical Arts Building.

GENERAL SURGICALISTS
Chad D. Caldwell, MD – Dr. Caldwell received his medical degree at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He completed general surgery residency programs at the University Hospital at Stony Brook, N.Y.; Winthrop University Hospital in Mineola, N.Y.; and Veterans Affairs Hospital in Northport, N.Y.

Dr. Caldwell is well-rounded with experience in pediatrics, vascular, bariatric and thoracic surgery. He has additional training in wound and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, breast ultrasound, stereotactic breast biopsy, mammosite placement and laparoscopic gastric bypass. Prior to working as a general surgery surgicalist, Dr. Caldwell maintained a full-time practice in North Carolina.

Faustino F. Estella, MD, FACS – Dr. Estella received his medical degree at the University of the Philippines in Manila. He completed his general surgery internship at the University of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital. He completed residency programs at Philippine General Hospital; Harbor Hospital in Baltimore, Md.; and Cooper Hospital and University Medical Center in Camden, N.J.

In addition to his extensive general surgery experience, Dr. Estella has also completed a fellowship in cardio-thoracic surgery at Barnabas Newark Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, NJ. In addition to working as a general surgery surgicalist, Dr. Estella maintains a full-time practice in New Jersey.

John S. O’Shea, MD – Dr. O’Shea received his medical degree at the University of Guadalajara in Guadalajara, Mexico. He completed his general surgery residency at the New York Medical College, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Bronx, N.Y. He also completed a fellowship in Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery at Saint Clare’s Hospital in New York, N.Y.

In addition to his medical training, Dr. O’Shea also holds a Master’s Degree in History from Monmouth University in West Long Branch, New Jersey; Master’s Degree in History of Medicine/Health Care Policy from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Prior to working as a general surgery surgicalist, Dr. O’Shea maintained a full-time practice in Bronx, N.Y. and also served as the Senior Health Policy Advisor for the Committee on Energy and Commerce for the United States House of Representatives.

“We believe that our partnership with University Orthopedics Center, the existing orthopedic and general surgeons at our other three hospitals and the addition of the orthopedic and general surgeons who can serve patients coming into the Penn Highlands DuBois Emergency Department will provide an unprecedented level of access to high quality surgeons,” Raymond A. Graeca, Penn Highlands Healthcare CEO, said.