Physician Spotlight
Local Neurosurgeons Share Skills Around the World
Dr. Adnan Siddiqui
Dr. Elad Levy
Dr. L. Nelson
“Nick” Hopkins
Where do surgeons turn to learn the least invasive neurosurgical techniques? The answer: right here in Western New York, to some of Kaleida Health’s finest neurosurgeons.
Dr. L. Nelson “Nick” Hopkins, Dr. Adnan Siddiqui and Dr. Elad Levy, all neurosurgeons practicing at Kaleida Health Hospitals, have become so widely known for their minimally-invasive surgical techniques that their teaching skills were featured during a teleconference broadcast of the 2009 International Course on Carotid Angioplasty Conference in Germany.
The doctors have participated in similar live broadcasts in the past and have hosted dozens of visiting surgeons eager to learn new techniques. A cerebral vascular surgeon from Massachusetts General Hospital traveled to Buffalo weekly over a period of eighteen months to study catheter-based surgical skills for less invasive surgeries. In December, a University of Michigan professor of neurosurgery came to Buffalo with a patient being treated for a previously inoperable condition and manufacturers of innovative technology and surgical systems have tested new equipment in Buffalo providing patients with state-of-the-art technology.
Kaleida Health Cardiac Service Named “Program of Excellence” By Independent Health
Buffalo General Hospital
Millard Fillmore Gates
Circle Hospital
Buffalo General Hospital and Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital have been named the first “Program of Excellence” in Western New York by Independent Health for its cardiovascular interventional procedures. This designation of excellence is based on clinical data that met or exceeded state benchmark standards for quality measures.
The Kaleida Health Cardiac Program has been rated in the top ten percent for heart surgery and among the top five percent in the nation for coronary angioplasty. It has also been rated number one in Western New York, according to the New York State Health’s annual report, Adult Cardiac Surgery in New York State.
“As people become actively involved in their health care decisions, Independent Health wants to make them aware of high-quality medical services right here in Western New York,” said Thomas F. Foels, M.D., M.M.M., Chief Medical Officer at Independent Health. “There is absolutely no reason to travel elsewhere for heart care when the best heart experts are right here in our own community,” said James R. Kaskie, President and CEO of Kaleida Health.
Cardiovascular interventional procedures are performed in cardiac catheterization labs where small incisions are used to access the heart for treatment of coronary artery disease, repair of heart muscle function and heart valve dysfunction or a combination of these problems.
These small incisions ultimately cause less pain and allow for faster recovery. Services such as cardiac testing (stress testing, echocardiograms) are available at Buffalo General, Millard Fillmore Gates Circle, Millard Fillmore Suburban and DeGraff Memorial Hospitals.
