“We’re committed to investing in the talent and
technology to provide our patients and our community
with access to advanced surgical options – including
a new bariatrics program – close to home,” said
CalvertHealth President & CEO Dean Teague,
announcing the health system’s plan to spend $2.5 million
on upgrading surgical equipment in the year ahead.
The investment is the latest step in the medical center’s multi-faceted
strategy to grow its surgical program to better meet community
needs. It comes on the heels of a significant push to “recruit surgical
specialists who bring an outstanding skill set to be able to apply the new
technology,” said Dr. Theodore Tsangaris, who is chief medical officer
and cancer program director at CalvertHealth.
Dr. Tsangaris, a renowned breast surgical oncologist, has extensive
experience at the region’s top hospitals and is bringing that expertise to
the development of the surgical service line at CalvertHealth.
Skilled Specialists Enhance Surgical Capability
Other key additions to CalvertHealth Surgical Specialists have been
vascular surgeon Dr. Joseph Wuamett, who came on board in 2020. He
has broad-based experience in diagnosing and treating a wide variety
of vascular issues.
Earlier this year, Dr. Ramzi Alami, who is a leading authority in
weight loss surgery, joined the group. He will serve as medical director
of the new Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Program at CalvertHealth
Medical Center (CHMC).
“Dr. Alami is one of those surgeons who enjoys and is
skilled in doing other things like GI and colon surgery,”
said Dr. Tsangaris. “This expands our cancer program
because he will be doing some of our lower (colon and
rectal) cancers, which are more complicated.”
More recently, the practice expanded to include
Dr. Assaad Soweid, who is highly skilled in advanced
therapeutic endoscopy and is regarded as a noted expert in
endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). (See article on page 13).
The multidisciplinary surgical group also includes general
surgeon Dr. Ervind Bhogte and plastic surgeon Dr. Wilfred
Ehrmantraut, Jr.
Dr. Tsangaris also talked about the advantages of having
a full-time vascular surgeon on staff. “Dr. Wuamett is a huge
asset for us and our patients,” he said. “He oversees our wound
center and has been doing carotid and peripheral vascular
cases (to remove blockages caused by plaque buildup) that
we haven’t done here in a long time.
“And he’s able to help us with other cases,” said
Dr. Tsangaris. “I’ve used him for some challenging cases. OB/
GYN has used him to make what they do safer and better.”
Health Priorities Guide Program Growth
“At the core of what is happening is how these surgical
programs will impact the lives of the people who rely on us
for their care,” said Dr. Tsangaris.
“One of the largest healthcare
issues we have in this county is
obesity,” he said, “which in turn
causes hypertension, cardiac
disease, pulmonary disease,
peripheral vascular disease, diabetes
and the list goes on and on.”
According to the 2020 Community
Health Needs Assessment, obesity
was listed as one of the top health
concerns for Calvert County
residents. The survey showed the
percent of local adults who are obese
is higher than state and national
percentages and is rising.
Teague said, “the new dedicated
metabolic and bariatric surgery
program is part of CalvertHealth’s
steadfast commitment to reduce
the community’s obesity rate and
strengthen the health of this
community. We are pleased to be
able to offer exceptional surgical
care close to home for those needing
weight-loss management.”
Foundation Launches the “Giving for Gifted Hands” Campaign
The CalvertHealth Foundation recently announced the “Giving for Gifted
Hands” campaign to enhance the medical center’s surgical program. The
theme of the campaign reminds us that without gifted hands, a surgeon’s
work goes undone.
According to Foundation Board Chair Denise Bowman, the campaign
hopes to raise $250,000 toward the $2.5-million project to provide our
surgeons with the cutting-edge resources needed to bring advanced surgical
options – like the new bariatrics program – close to home.
“This is a very exciting time for CalvertHealth Medical Center with
the recent completion of our private room expansion,” said CalvertHealth
President and CEO Dean Teague. “Having state-of-the-art technology will
allow us to continue attracting the highest caliber surgeons and advancing
the level of care and services we offer for our patients.”
CalvertHealth Medical Center provides a robust array of surgical
procedures across a wide variety of surgical specialties from complex breast
cancer procedures to the latest minimally invasive options for vascular issues.
“The support of the community is critical to making this vision a reality,”
said Bowman. “As a cancer survivor treated by Dr. Tsangaris at CalvertHealth’s
Surgery Center, it is reassuring to know you can receive expert surgical care
close to home. This is important.”
The funds raised will go toward services, resources and specialized
surgical equipment including a new neurological microscope and endoscopic
ultrasound (EUS) scopes along with instruments essential for bariatric surgery.
Bowman said the four-month campaign includes strategic events
designed to engage major donors, a year-end appeal for prospective
contributors and special outreach activities during Giving Tuesday (Nov. 30) to
encourage community involvement.
Community members are invited to tune into the health system’s
Facebook page on Giving Tuesday to see behind-the-scenes videos, enter
drawings for raffles, prizes and more! There
will also be several hour-long “Power Hours”
where local businesses or organizations will
match donations.
To learn more about how to support the
campaign, contact the CalvertHealth
philanthropy team at 410.414.4570 or via
email to foundation@calverthealthmed.org.