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| Tammy De La Melena, M.D. |
| No articles available at this time |
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| Edwin Irish, M.D. |
| No articles available at this time |
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| Nathalie M. Johnson, M.D. |
| No articles available at this time |
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| William E. Johnson, M.D. |
| August 2007 — A History of Surgical Associates P.C. |
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| Ali Khaki, M.D. |
| No articles available at this time |
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| Kevin M. Major M.D. |
| August 2007 — New Vascular Surgery Techniques Revolutionize Treatment |
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| James J. Peck, M.D. |
| No articles available at this time |
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| Daniel Tseng, M.D. |
| August 2007 — 21st-century Technology Broadens Surgical Options |
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| William E. Johnson, M.D., FACS, FICS |
| August 2007 |
Surgical Associates is an organization founded in 1977 by four outstanding surgeons: Harvey Baker, Philip Snedecor, William Awe and Larry Eidemiller. These four founders subsequently recruited three additional surgeons, forming the foundation of our group. The organization's main roots are in surgical oncology, and our philosophy is to provide outstanding general surgical care along with specific areas of expertise.
Harvey W. Baker was trained in surgical oncology and head and neck surgery at Memorial-Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center by Hayes Martin, one of the founding fathers and outstanding contributors to the field of head and neck cancer surgery. Dr. Baker came to Portland at the request of Robert Wise, M.D., who was the Chief of Surgery at the Portland Veterans Hospital. Dr. Baker entered private practice, but consulted and staffed at both OHSU and the Veterans Hospital, which was a regional center for head and neck cancer. He soon became known as "Doctor Cancer" and had patients sent to him from all over the Northwest.
Philip Snedecor, an Oregon-trained general surgeon, shared an office and call with Dr. Baker.
William C. Awe was trained at Baylor University, and also was involved in research at the National Institutes of Health. A rising star in Oregon, he joined Drs. Baker and Snedecor in an office-share arrangement. Dr. Awe was also actively involved in research at OHSU.
In 1977, Dr. Larry Eidemiller was on the faculty at Oregon Health & Science University. His areas of expertise were in gastrointestinal oncology and vascular surgery. He also completed a fellowship in gastrointestinal surgery in Scotland at the Western Infirmary. Larry co-founded and is a past president of the Portland Vascular Society. He was recruited by Harvey, Phil and Bill, and in 1977 the four formalized a group known as Surgical Associates P.C. Their main practice was at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital and Tuality Community Hospital.
Dr. Baker was an accomplished arbitrator, and he was able to bring surgeons, medical oncologists and radiologists together to form the Good Samaritan Cancer Center, the first "Cancer Center" in Oregon. Harvey served as director until 1987, and was also Chief of Surgery at Good Samaritan up until 1985, when Dr. Eidemiller took the position from 1985 to 1997.
Two additional individuals further solidified our roots in surgical oncology.
C. Edwin Irish was recruited to join Surgical Associates in 1980. He completed a fellowship in thoracic surgical oncology at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He has held the position of Chief of Surgery at Tuality Hospital, and has both served on the Board of Directors and been chair of Tuality Healthcare Corporation.
H. Stevens Moseley joined Surgical Associates in 1985 after completing a fellowship with Don Morton at the John Wayne Cancer Institute. Dr. Moseley became director of the Legacy Cancer Center in 1987, upon Dr. Baker's retirement.
The vascular surgery area of the practice continued growing. As a result, the group recruited James Peck. Dr. Peck's energy and enthusiasm were impressive, to say the least. He graduated from the University of California San Francisco Medical School. He completed a general surgery residency and vascular fellowship at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. He is past president of the Portland Surgical Society and North Pacific Surgical Association. He is also the future president of the Pacific Coast Surgical Association. In addition he is a founding member and past president of the Pacific Northwest Vascular Society. He is the American College of Surgeons representative to Western Surgical, Western Vascular and the National Society for Vascular Surgery. He recently completed an assignment with "Doctors without Borders" in Liberia, and is currently in Nigeria performing similar duties, continuing his quest to give back.
As is evident by our past, we continue striving to find surgeons who bring a unique gift to our practice. Our past has provided a strong foundation for the present and the future. Dr. Irish continues to practice in Hillsboro and provide guidance and stability. Drs. Eidemiller and Peck also continue to operate and provide surgical expertise and consultation.
Our present surgeons are Nathalie Johnson, William Johnson, Ali Khaki and V. Tammy De La Melena.
Nathalie Johnson completed her residency at L.A. County + USC Medical Center and came to Portland in 1992, with enthusiasm and an interest in surgical oncology. While here, she was asked by the Governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands to go back to the Virgin Islands and become the Commissioner of Health for USVI. She graciously accepted. She turned around health care on the island, and was instrumental in opening several new clinics and the first Cancer Center in the Virgin Islands. She returned to Portland and has continued her efforts in treating breast cancer, melanoma and sarcoma. She currently is the Medical Director of the Legacy Cancer Program, a position previously held by Dr. Moseley. In addition she is the Medical Director of Legacy Good Samaritan Breast Center. She is actively involved in research and is constantly thinking of new and innovative ideas in the treatment of breast cancer patients. She formerly served on the Advisory Council to General Surgery in the American College of Surgeons. She is past president of the Portland Surgical Society. She currently is on the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners and the Northwest Health Foundation, and she serves on the American Board of Surgery.
In Nathalie's efforts to foster a team approach to breast cancer, she recruited Margie Glissmeyer. Margie received her master's degree in physician assistant studies from OHSU in 2004. She began intensive training in management of patients with breast diseases. She is actively involved in research and has published on the subject. Her efforts and knowledge have led to her being a leader in the field. In fact, she was recently inducted as the first physician assistant in the American Society of Breast Surgeons.
Dr. William Johnson came to Portland in 1996 and joined Surgical Associates in 1998. I also completed my internship and residency at Los Angeles County + USC Medical Center. I then completed an esophageal and foregut fellowship at USC and went on the serve as a fellow in cardiovascular surgery at Beth Israel Hospital at Harvard University. I have a keen interest in teaching and have won the resident teaching award at USC, OHSU, Good Samaritan Hospital and St Vincent's Hospital. As a member of the American College of Physician Executives I strive to not only provide outstanding health care but also to continue to help keep our practice on the cutting edge from a business prospective.
Dr. Tammy De La Melena is a graduate of OHSU. She was hand selected by Nathalie Johnson to further advance our breast health team. She also is an excellent laparoscopic surgeon. In addition, through her own experiences she has developed and cultivated a practice that also has a focus on the management of obstetric and immediate post-partum patients with general surgical issues. Her Spanish heritage and incredible bedside manner are a comfort and an immeasurable benefit to the practice and the community.
Dr. Ali Khaki joined our group in 2004. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians of Glasgow, Scotland. He too completed a fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery. His current interests are not only in thoracic and general surgery, but also complicated intra-abdominal catastrophes. He accepts and helps manage patients from the Oregon coast and greater Portland areas.
Our vision is to continue to improve on the surgical care we provide. To help us maintain that vision, we have recently recruited two bright young surgeons.
Dr. Daniel Tseng completed medical school in Chicago and ventured to the Northwest to complete his residency at OHSU. He then spent two additional years in advanced specialty training in laparoscopic surgery and research. His interests are primarily in esophageal, general gastrointestinal and solid organ surgery. He is a member of the Society for American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons and the Society for the Surgery of the Alimentary Tract. He recently has been appointed Director of Minimal Invasive Surgery at Providence St. Vincent Hospital.
Dr. Kevin Major is a graduate of the Medical College of Ohio. He completed his general surgery training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. In addition he is board-certified in critical care. He completed a fellowship in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy at the University of Southern California. His expertise in critical care, open vascular surgery, endovascular surgery and catheter-based diagnostics is a welcome addition to our practice.
We will continue to improve patient education and provide better comprehensive care as we look toward the future. We will always strive and continue our efforts in "Making Better Tomorrows."
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| Kevin M. Major M.D. |
| August 2007 |
In the past 10 years the role of the vascular surgeon has evolved. Conditions that once could only be treated with open surgery can now be addressed by a vascular surgeon using catheter-based techniques. This capability allows the modern vascular surgeon to evaluate the patient, order appropriate non-invasive studies and perform any indicated catheter-based intervention, as well as any necessary operation.
Many vascular conditions are best evaluated with duplex ultrasound scanning. Our office has its own vascular lab, and studies are performed by a Registered Vascular Technician (RVT) and interpreted by Dr. Major, who is a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI).
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, left undiagnosed or untreated, leaves patients with the risk of rupture. Medicare now covers a one-time AAA ultrasound screening for patients older than 55 who are current or former smokers and those with a family history of AAA. The usual threshold for offering repair is 5 cm as noted on CT scanning. Those aneurysms under 5 cm require annual surveillance utilizing abdominal ultrasound.
AAA once could only be treated with open surgery, which involved significant risks and a
7-day hospitalization. Now most patients can be treated by EndoVascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR). This operation is performed via incisions over the femoral arteries and placement of a covered stent graft. EVAR carries significantly less risk, and only a one- to two-day hospitalization. Patients once deemed too high-risk for open AAA repair can now be offered EVAR.
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Dr. Major trained in General Surgery and Surgical Critical Care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles and trained in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy at the University of Southern California. He is board-certified in general surgery, surgical critical care and board eligible in vascular surgery.
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| Daniel Tseng, M.D. |
| August 2007 |
Surgery in the 21st century is substantially different than for previous generations. With improvements in technology, we are now able to perform complex operations through minute incisions. We’ve tossed out our large retractors and replaced them with cameras and telescopes. And nowhere is this more evident than in the advances in gastrointestinal surgery.
The touted benefits of minimally invasive surgery include decreased pain, faster recovery and earlier return to work. Additional benefits include decreased infection rates, decreased hernia formation and decreased risk for adhesion formation. These benefits were described in three recent prospective randomized trials performed around the world for laparoscopic versus open colectomy for colon cancer. Oncologically, both approaches were similar.
The trend toward improved patient outcomes demonstrated by laparoscopic surgery does not stop the need for colon resections and gallbladder removals. Numerous studies have demonstrated the advantages of laparoscopy for virtually every aspect of general surgery, from the esophagus to the inguinal hernia.
However, the data is highly dependent on the skill set of the surgeon. For most procedures, surgeons require a learning curve of at least 30 to 50 cases before demonstrating adequate proficiency and excellent outcomes. Because of this very technically demanding field, I chose to acquire additional training in minimally invasive surgery by completing a two-year dedicated advanced laparoscopic fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University. By working with some of the best laparoscopic surgeons in the world, I was able to become facile at a wide variety of laparoscopic procedures. With this experience I have the confidence to offer patients expertise in all areas of minimally invasive surgery, from the routine hernia repair to the complex pancreatic resection.
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Dr. Tseng trained in general surgery and advanced laparoscopic surgery at OHSU in Portland, Oregon. He is board certified in general surgery.
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