Orthopedic Surgeon, David Lukowski, educating the McLeod Seacoast Fellows about Carpal Tunnel and the treatment options.

Orthopedic Surgeon, Eric Heimberger, discusses the Total Joint Program at McLeod Seacoast to the McLeod Seacoast Fellows Program. 

Local community leaders, part of the second class of the McLeod Fellows program at McLeod Seacoast, gathered on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, to continue their growth and exploration in healthcare.  They had the opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at some of the services offered at McLeod Seacoast and gain insight into medical and technological advances that are not commonly available to the public.

Orthopedic Surgeon David Lukowski, of McLeod Orthopaedics Seacoast, lead the discussion with a presentation on Carpal Tunnel along with his specialty of hand and upper extremity surgery. Dr. Lukowski commented on the importance of hand rehabilitation after surgery.

“The hand is a unique and intricate part of the body and deserves specialized care after surgery for a faster recovery,” said Dr. Lukowski. “Hand rehabilitation will increase range of motion, strength, coordination and independence in daily activities.”

Following Dr. Lukowski’s presentation was his partner, Orthopedic Surgeon Eric Heimberger, presented on the Total Joint Replacement Program that is offered at McLeod Seacoast. The Total Joint Replacement Program has been designed specifically to educate joint replacement patients about the entire process, from surgery to recovery.

“The purpose of the Total Joint Program is to make the patient’s experience as easy as possible,” said Dr. Heimberger. “A few hours after the joint replacement surgery, physical and occupational therapists come to the patient’s room and begin assisting with rehabilitation. As rehabilitation continues, the less pain and stiffness the patient will feel.”

The McLeod Seacoast Fellows were also educated on the bundled payments system by Associate Vice President of Rehabilitation Services, Scott Montgomery.

Before the meeting concluded, the group had the opportunity to tour the McLeod Seacoast Physical Therapy department and got an inside look at the MRI machine in the Radiology department.

The goal of the McLeod Seacoast Fellows Program is to make participants valued and well educated partners in seeking answers to the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare. The class also obtains a working knowledge of the healthcare needs of the community and how McLeod Health and the McLeod Foundation are meeting those needs.

For information on the McLeod Seacoast Fellows Program, or McLeod Health Foundation, please call (843) 390-8228.