Surgery

WMed Health Surgery provides consultations, diagnosis, and treatment for adults and children requiring surgical procedures. Appointments may require a physician referral. 

Services and procedures we provide include:

Acute care surgery Advanced endoscopic evaluation and surgical treatment of upper gastrointestinal and small bowel disorders, including: Achalasia Barrett's Esophagus Hiatal hernia Specific evaluations for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) including manometry and 24-hour pH study Ulcers Advanced foregut laparoscopic surgery, including: Heller Myotomy for achalasia Laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair Laparoscopic Anti-Reflux Surgery such as Nissan fundoplication (i.e. stomach wrap for GERD) Laparoscopic surgery of stomach for ulcers and tumors Breast surgery: Benign and malignant tumors  Sentinel lymph node biopsy Breast cysts daVinci Robotic Surgery for inguinal and ventral hernias, gallbladder disease and GERD Endocrine surgery Adrenal glands Parathyroid Thyroid Gastrointestinal endoscopy including: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy(EGD) for diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal tract diseases such as Barrett's Esophagus and peptic ulcer disease Screening colonoscopy for colon and rectal cancer

Gastrointestinal surgeries and procedures, including: Appendectomy Colon surgery for benign disease such as diverticulitis, bleeding, malignant tumors and colostomy reversal Esophagus and stomach surgery for benign and malignant tumors Exploratory surgery, both laparoscopic and open Feeding tubes such as percutaneous gastrostomy and jejunostomy Gallbladder surgery as laparoscopic cholecystectomy and biliary ducts surgery Small bowel surgery for tumors Surgery for benign pancreatic diseases such as cysts Surgery for bowel obstruction Hernia surgery including open and laparoscopic techniques for the following hernias:  Inguinal Umbilical Ventral/Incisional Femoral Laparoscopic solid organ surgery such as splenectomy and adrenalectomy Lymph node biopsy Skin excisions and biopsy of skin lesions such as lipomas, tumors and hidradenitis

Surgical Transitions in Aging Residents (STAR) Program

The Surgical Transitions in Aging Residents (STAR) program provides assistance to elder patients before and after major elective or emergency operations. Complications from surgery, readmissions, and placement in nursing homes after the procedures are all higher for the elderly.  The STAR program provides multiple points of intervention, including geriatrics consultation and connection to community resources related to food, housing, and transportation, to support a more complete recovery, foster independence, and afford patients a greater chance to stay in their homes.

Pre- and post-operative patients 65 and older are screened by STAR Coordinator Jill Chambers, PA-C, to identify medical high-risk characteristics that predict an elevated chance of complications, including:

• Polypharmacy (taking five or more medications)
• Multiple significant comorbidities (three or more treated illnesses)
• Residence in a nursing home or other facility
• No primary care physician
• Expected length of hospital stay greater than two midnights
• Intra-abdominal procedure, intra thoracic procedure or limb amputation
• General anesthesia
• Cancer

Patients with risk factors are referred to WMed Health geriatrician Daniel Brauner, MD, for pre- and post-operative evaluation, including a thorough examination of underlying diseases, medications, and a discussion of potential benefits, risks and burdens. Similarly, patients 65 and older that undergo unscheduled emergency operations are screened post-operatively for potential follow-up with Dr. Brauner.

Our Location

WMed Health Surgery is located at 1000 Oakland Drive on the 1st floor in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Parking is available adjacent to the building. Our practice is a non-smoking environment. We strive to provide a clean environment for our patients.

Fees and Insurance

WMed Health Surgery participates with many insurance providers, including Medicaid and Medicaid Health Plans. Before your first visit, check with your insurance company to understand what services will be paid for by your insurance plan. For every appointment, you will need to bring your insurance card(s). Co-pays are due at the time of service and accepted forms of payment are cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, and Discover. If you have questions, our patient financial counselors are ready to help you. Please call our Billing Department at 269.337.4460.

Referrals

A referral by a healthcare provider may be required depending on your insurance coverage. To refer, call 269.337.6289 or fax 269.337.6547. To make a referral in Epic, "Add Order" at the bottom of the right of the progress note or within the Meds and Orders section, search for the word "referral" and the Epic referral name WMed General Surgery.

Our Providers