Page 14 - SFHN March 2021

SALUTE TO PHYSICIANS

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WEST MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL SOUTH

Victoria Valinluck Lao, MD, PhD Andrew Chang, MD

Like all colorectal surgeons, Dr. Victoria Valinluck Lao is a Dr. Andrew Chang, a physiatrist and interventional pain
proponent of the colonoscopy, long considered the screening specialist in the Memorial Healthcare System, treats individu-
gold standard and now recommended for adults over the age als that range from ‘weekend warriors’ that have gotten injured
of 45. The procedure reveals polyps that can be removed exercising to those that have suffered back or neck injuries in
before they can develop into cancers of the colon and/or rec- accidents. In all cases, patients want functional outcomes that
tum. preserve their quality of life.
“Cancers in this area are very often preventable, treatable, “Our focus is on relieving pain without the use of opioids,”
and beatable,” said Lao, the mother of two children. “It said Chang, a musculoskeletal specialist that also performs
requires a strong partnership between doctor and patient and minimally-invasive, non-surgical procedures. “If we can
a tailored, multi-disciplinary approach. Our surgical proce- address the problem before the pain becomes chronic, that
dures, whenever possible, are minimally-invasive.” leads to better outcomes.”
Now in her second year in the Memorial Healthcare System after completing fellow- Chang joined the MHS family in August 2020 and says he most enjoys the patient
ship training in colon and rectal surgery, Lao appreciates the MHS culture. “Every patient, interactions and the opportunity to have immediate impact, with the goal being to get
doctor, and staff member is valued, which leads to people doing the right thing. We’re all those under his care feeling better and back to doing what they love.
focused on making the decisions that lead to the best patient outcomes.”
Jeremy Jacobs, DO
Kristina Khazeni, MD
The increased reliance on telehealth during the time of
Dr. Kristina Khazeni, a general surgeon, has a very hands- COVID-19 has been a boon to the type of patients served by
on approach to patient care, and that’s not just in the operating Dr. Jeremy Jacobs, many of whom have lost limbs and wear
room. She takes ownership of her cases, before, during, and prosthetic devices.
after procedures are performed. “There aren’t a lot of doctors who specialize in this area of
“I enjoy patient contact and a deep connection with those the outpatient experience,” said Jacobs, who is program direc-
under my care,” said Khazeni, who has been fellowship- tor for physical medicine and rehabilitation within Memorial’s
trained in minimally invasive surgery. “I’m usually available Graduate Medical Education program. “Primary care physi-
in-person, on the phone, or through Memorial’s MyChart cians and vascular surgeons often don’t have the time or
app/website. This intimate approach was reinforced through- resources to provide a high level of care to amputees with
out my training and I like to keep close tabs on those who trust me with their health.” prosthetics.
Dr. Khazeni joined Memorial Healthcare System in 2020 and focuses her practice on I’ve been able to physically evaluate patients throughout the state through video apps
intra-abdominal pathologies that include the spleen, adrenal gland, gallstones, hernias, and either provide orders for necessary procedures or, in some cases, to get them a
reflux disease, and disorders of the small intestine and colon. Her specialty training replacement prosthesis.”
includes laparoscopic and robotic surgeries, skills she brings to a surgical group based on The doctor says he has been able to assist nearly 100 patients through telehealth, with
the campus of Memorial Hospital West. the goal of increasing functionality and improving the quality of life for each.

MEMORIAL HOSPITAL MIRAMAR MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PEMBROKE

Ramon Ramirez Melendez, MD Brett Cohen, MD

In more than 30 years of practicing medicine, Dr. Ramon Dr. Brett Cohen sees bariatric patients and views the weight
Ramirez Melendez, an infectious disease specialist, never loss surgeries he performs as tools for patients to utilize on
imagined he’d see what he’s seen in the past year. Intensive their weight-loss journey.
care units constantly filled with critically-ill, COVID-19 “Many of those we see have adapted their lives to accommo-
patients, some of whom ultimately passed away despite the date their weight,” said Dr. Cohen, Chief of the Bariatric and
best efforts of the care team. General Surgery programs for Memorial Healthcare System.
While it can be hard to find a bright spot amid all the suf- “After the surgery and recovery process, it’s a whole new world
fering, Ramirez Melendez cites his growth as a leader as one for them. They gain confidence and see themselves in a way
positive that helped colleagues struggling with the reality of that they have not been able to in the past.”
the situation. “I became a sort of head coach for the team, a Dr. Cohen started the Memorial Weight-Loss Surgery
guide that could provide information about what we were facing while there were so Program nearly two decades ago, after completing a fellowship in advance laparoscopy
many unknowns.” and bariatric surgery at the University of Southern California. Since that time, he’s
Ramirez Melendez sees some light at the end of the tunnel, although he cautions that impacted countless lives, including patients that loose in excess of 150-200 pounds.
the coronavirus will remain a significant problem in the time to come. He is buoyed, “Patients look to us for help and are so grateful we can help them change their lives. I’ve
however, by the fact that some of the sickest are recovering quicker with medication and seen people go from having difficulty tying their shoes to chasing their kids around
that vaccinations will keep others safe from infection. Disney World without any trouble. It’s an extremely rewarding process for both us and
our patients.”
Alvaro Visbal, MD
Michael Estreicher, MD
Memorial Hospital Miramar had its first COVID-19 patient
a year ago and while there aren’t as many people hospitalized A self-described “run-to-the-fire kind of guy,” Dr. Michael
compared to peak levels in 2020, the current patients are just Estreicher is a specialist in emergency medicine. In cases
as sick. “It hasn’t stopped,” said Dr. Alvaro Visbal, associate where information is limited and a patient’s life hangs in the
medical director for critical care medicine at Memorial balance, the doctor and his emergency department team are at
Healthcare System. “We’re still caring for some patients for their best. “It may look chaotic, but we’re experts at managing
months at a time.” the situation. It’s important we keep calm, cool, and do what’s
While taking care of the pandemic’s most seriously ill has necessary to get that patient on the road to recovery,” said
taken its toll on all frontline workers, one positive for Visbal is Estreicher, a married father of three children.
that it solidified his belief that critical care medicine was his true calling. “I’m passionate The graduate of New York’s Sackler School of Medicine has
about helping people, especially those whose lives hang in the balance. The victories we always been drawn to helping people in their greatest time of need, and the COVID-19
have over COVID are very satisfying and motivate all of us to continue doing what we pandemic feels like Estreicher’s “natural territory.” He says the teamwork required to care
do. for coronavirus patients while also attending to those in the emergency room requires a
I’m driven to understand why things happen within the body and leading the effort to staff that operates like a finely-tuned orchestra. It’s what he likes best about working
fix those problems for the patients and families we serve.” within the Memorial Healthcare System.
“Ours is a team environment, where each person respects the others and works well
together.”

14 March 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News