World renowned site celebrates deeply rooted
history of education and innovative hand surgery.
BALTIMORE, April 30,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- MedStar Health unveiled its
newly renovated and expanded Curtis National Hand Center (CNHC) at
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital April
24th, during a ribbon cutting celebration
centered on philanthropy, the historical significance the center
has on hand surgery as a specialty, and innovative patient
care.
Recognized for excellence internationally,
MedStar Health's Curtis National Hand Center is the largest in the
world.
Recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in the
care of the hand and upper extremity, the Curtis National Hand
Center is the largest hand center in the world, comprised of 14
surgeons, a skilled hand therapy department, a premier fellowship
training program, and a leading research division.
In late 2022, MedStar Health closed the center in MedStar Union
Memorial's Johnston Professional Building, to start the
$3.2 million renovation project- most
of the funds coming from federal earmarked money and philanthropic
donations. Hand doctors and therapists continued treating patients
in other offices around the hospital.
Doors are now opened to the over 25,000 patients who are treated
at the Hand Center annually. Of those, an average 1800 patients are
admitted with traumatic injuries. MedStar Union Memorial is the
only site in the state designated by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Service
Systems as a hand and extremity trauma center, and the only
hospital in the country with one.
James P. Higgins, medical
director, and chief of the Hand Center, served as emcee of the
event, and opened the speaker program with a retrospect on the
center's founder, Raymond C. Curtis,
MD. Dr. Curtis started a practice at Union Memorial Hospital in
1947 after being discharged from the Army. He started a center
focused on the then fledgling specialty of surgery of the hand,
combining expertise in orthopedic, neurosurgery, and plastic
surgery.
"Fortunately, we have been the recipients of his legacy of
putting a priority on education," Dr. Higgins said. "Ray Curtis said that it is important that we
serve as a clinical center but also a training center. Our four
(annual) civilian fellows represent the best of the best, coming
from the best institutions in the world, are the most recent of 160
hand fellows that graduated our program and are now leaders around
the country and around the globe.
Uniformed military physicians also attended the event,
representing the long-term collaboration between the Curtis
National Hand Center and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The Hand
Center has trained every Army hand surgeon since 1963.
Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger and Senator Ben Cardin, who secured $1.5 million of the renovation funds through
federal appropriations, were invited to speak and cut the
ribbon.
"Maryland is blessed to have a
world class hand center in its back yard, Congressman Ruppersberger
said. "The new center is larger, enabling the physicians to
work at the same time. It can accommodate the most cutting-edge
technology and expand access to telehealth appointments."
Former patient Andriy Koropeckyj
spoke about his experience following a tragic car accident that
claimed the life of his wife and shattered his arm. He credited
CNHC hand surgeons, five surgeries and hand therapy, for helping
him regain use of it. "Whenever they looked at it, they were
already looking for the solution," he said. "It was personal. They
were committed to making me better. I can never say thank you
enough to everyone who has helped me here."
"You're number one in giving hope to people who have no other
place to be," said Senator Ben
Cardin. "You are the best in the world in what you do. And
you're providing it in patient care, you're providing it in
training, you're providing it in research, and you never stop.
Dutch and I are so proud to represent you in the Congress. And
we're just so proud of everything you do every day, and we're proud
to be part of this moment as we cut a ribbon to your expanded
facilities."
Dr. Stephen R. T. Evans,
executive vice president of medical affairs and chief medical
officer for MedStar Health described the elite expertise in hand
and arm reconstructions that attract patients from all over the
world. Specific complex surgeries to treat unique upper extremity
problems such as for Kienbocks disease and a congenital deficit
called radial club hand, are available only at the Curtis National
Hand Center.
MedStar Health President and CEO, Kenneth A. Samet, FACHE, paid tribute to Shaw
Wilgis, MD, one of the founding physicians of the Hand Center and
who attended the event. Dr. Wilgis stepped into the role of chief
when Dr. Curtis retired in 1982. Through Dr. Wilgis's efforts, Hand
Center was designated by the 103rd Congress, to be the
only national hand center in the country.
Dr. Wilgis stepped down as chief of the CNHC in 1998 to become
its first director of research, where he mentored dozens of
residents and fellows. He then ascended to the MedStar Health
system board and was chairman of it when Ken Samet was named CEO in 2008.
"He was a physician, a surgeon, a leader," Samet said. "Shaw,
what I'd say to you, is your handprints are everywhere. Not just on
my career, but across MedStar Health, and I can't thank you
enough."
The program included with site tours, which featured:
- Larger, well-appointed patient and family areas
- Strategically designed floorplan that optimizes workspace
for up to five physicians working simultaneously
- Upgraded space for two radiology suites for imaging: x-ray,
ultrasound
- A fluoroscopy suite to assess the real-time dynamic behavior of
the wrist in motion
- Five pods with three patient evaluation rooms each
- Workrooms fitted for tele-visits to meet the virtual
appointment demand
- Improved workspace for medical assistants and administrative
staff to optimize efficiency and communication
- HIPAA sensitive scheduling areas
Click here for more information on the Curtis National Hand
Center. For appointments, call: 410- 235-5405.
Media Contact:
Debra Schindler
debra.schindler@medstar.net
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SOURCE MedStar Health