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SALUTE TO PHYSICIANS

MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL SOUTH JOE DIMAGGIO CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

Alan Novick, MD Daxa Patel, MD

Dr. Alan Novick is the chief of the Memorial Dr. Daxa Patel is a pediatric neurosurgeon with a concen-
Rehabilitation Institute. During the past 25 years, he has tration on treating epilepsy patients. Part of a multi-discipli-
been instrumental in the growth of Memorial’s physical nary team, she is fellowship-trained in some of the latest
medicine and rehabilitation program from 26 beds and lim- technology that has helped prevent seizures in patients
ited equipment to the current 89-bed facility that features whose illness has been resistant to medication. “We know
some of the most sophisticated therapeutic technology in that a child’s brain changes in many ways once a seizure
the industry. occurs, so it’s important to pinpoint the areas they are orig-
“Rehab is a team sport,” said Novick, a graduate of Duke inating from and take corrective action as early as possible.”
University and the University of Florida College of Two of the newer technique’s Dr. Patel employs are mini-
Medicine. “Therapists, nurses, and doctors are able to inter- mally-invasive surgical options. Laser Interstitial Thermal
act with patients when they are most vulnerable and work Therapy (LITT) is an approach that uses a heated wire with-
with that individual to restore a quality of life where they in a catheter to destroy the region of the brain where
function to their maximum ability.” seizures begin. Robotic stereotactic assistance (ROSA) enables neurosurgeons to places
While Dr. Novick most often treats those who have suffered traumatic brain injuries, electrodes in the brain, pinpoint seizure areas, and vaporize them. “People should know
he is equally proud the Memorial Rehabilitation Institute has physicians on staff that spe- there are options,” said Patel. “With early detection, we can sometimes cure epilepsy, and
cialize in all the PM&R sub-specialties, ensuring there is a doctor that can provide all our procedures aim to minimize or eliminate the occurrence of seizures.”
patients specialized care for every disease or condition.
Holly Neville, MD
James Salerno, MD
The opportunity to provide a normal, post-surgical life to
Dr. James Salerno is the chief of Physical Medicine and young women with reproductive system issues is one of the
Rehabilitation at Memorial Healthcare System’s rehabilita- things Dr. Holly Neville enjoys most about being a pediatric
tion hospital and an expert in the treatment of medically- surgeon. “Young women, when faced with medical issues,
complex transplant patients. Most often, his patients are may have pain, miss school and become anxious or even
recovering from heart, liver, kidney, or bone marrow trans- insecure” said Neville, the chief of pediatric general surgery
plant surgery. “These individuals are on medications that at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital. “It’s rewarding to pro-
may cause neurologic deficiencies. It takes significant col- vide the type of physical and emotional care that gets them
laboration with the referring hospital, doctors, and family to feeling healthy again and back to school, sports, and activi-
manage their rehab, but it’s a special thing when we get ties they enjoy.” Dr. Neville is one of five female surgeons on
them functioning where they need to be.” the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital’s pediatric general sur-
Dr. Salerno is also actively teaching the next generation of gery team and routinely operates on ovarian cysts and reproductive tract issues, breast
physician, with PM&R residents from Memorial’s Graduate masses, and vaginal abnormalities that become problematic during puberty. The reaction
Medical Education program training at his hospital. With another four doctors on the from her patients, usually preteens and teens 11-18 years of age, is most often relief and
way, a total of 11 residents will be attending to patients and working with veteran clini- gratitude at the restoration of a level of functioning and health they may have thought
cians to deliver Memorial’s style of patient and family-centered care. was unattainable.

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PEMBROKE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL MIRAMAR

Ana Kelegama, MD Emery Salom, MD

Dr. Ana Kelegama is a hospitalist that specializes in family Dr. Emery Salom is a board-certified and fellowship-
medicine and is medical director at Memorial Hospital trained gynecological oncologist that specializes in
Pembroke, a position she was named to in 2015. advanced laparoscopy and robotic surgery, most often
Dr. Kelegama says the Memorial Healthcare System cul- involving cancers of the reproductive organs. His practice
ture is what motivated her to relocate from Columbus, also includes chemotherapy as a treatment option, whether
Ohio. “We prioritize patient and family-centered care and before or after surgery or by itself. “Patients benefit from
know how to take care of those at our hospitals. Our continuity in care and caregivers. There’s a consistent focus
patients have everything they need and are never discharged when the same doctors are with a patient from diagnosis to
to unsafe or unstable living situations.” the completion of treatment.” An associate professor and
In the nearly five years she has been part of MHS, Dr. director at Florida International University’s College of
Kelegama has been able to expand the role of the hospitalist Medicine, Dr. Salom treats a variety of cancers, including
and make improvements to processes that include what ovarian, uterine, cervical, vaginal and vulva, primary peri-
nurses are taught during rounding. toneal, fallopian tube, and gestational trophoblastic neoplasms. = Dr. Salom graduated
from the University of Miami and went on to complete his four-year obstetric and gyne-
Joseph Melendez-Davidson, MD, FACS cologic residency and three-year fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Jackson
Memorial Hospital/Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami.
While Dr. Joseph Melendez-Davidson is a fellowship-
trained bariatric surgeon, he’s the first to admit it’s not just Jacob Tangir, MD
about the surgery. “We take a multi-disciplinary and inte-
grated approach, considering all aspects of the patient’s Dr. Jacob Tangir is a board-certified gynecological oncol-
health before determining the best course of action for ogist that understands how cultural differences can play a
them. Those consultations include nutritionists, care coor- role in whether a woman seeks treatment for medical issues
dinators, mental health professionals, and others, in addi- within the reproductive system. “There can be societal stig-
tion to a team of physicians.” mas that need to be overcome, even before a cancer diagno-
It’s an approach that very few weight-loss surgeons take sis. Information and education can help break down barri-
and one that has earned Memorial Hospital Pembroke’s pro- ers, but personal empathy and sympathy are critically
gram an exemplary rating from the American Society for important to building trust between patients and doctors.”
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Dr. Melendez-Davidson A native of Venezuela, Dr. Tangir was one of the first sur-
also offers endoscopic treatment to correct surgeries done elsewhere that haven’t deliv- geons in South Florida to use robotic surgery to treat benign
ered patients the expected results or led to other problems. and malignant gynecologic cancers. The procedure leaves
His approach to patient care begins and ends with compassion and the use of mini- minimal scarring and requires less recovery time than tradi-
mally-invasive techniques to deliver better outcomes with less recovery time. tional surgical methods and can be done as an outpatient. His practice at Memorial also
offers molecular testing of tumors that have made it possible to prescribe immunother-
apy instead of the more damaging chemotherapy for many cancer patients.

20 March 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News