Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) is pleased to announce the introduction of some orthopaedic-related surgery at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital (HDMH) site.
This expansion of surgical services is owing to partnerships formed with five orthopaedic surgeons who have been credentialed to provide orthopaedic services in MAHC’s operating rooms, including arthroscopy procedures, minor fractures, hardware removals, and other minor orthopaedic procedures. The additional program would not be possible without a significant capital equipment investment by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation for the orthopaedic equipment.
“After months of planning, we are excited to increase specialization within Muskoka’s surgical program,” says Chief of Staff Dr. Khaled Abdel-Razek. “Providing our communities with access to some elective and urgent orthopaedic care closer to home reduces out-of-region travel for patients and also ensures an efficient use of our operating rooms. On their surgical days, these orthopaedic surgeons are also available for in-house Emergency Department consults.”
Dr. Robert Litchfield is a shoulder and knee surgeon at the Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic at Western University in London with generations of family roots in Huntsville. Dr. Litchfield served on the medical team for the Sochi Olympics in 2014 and was able to witness Huntsville’s own Dara Howell win her gold medal.
Drs. Brent Mollon, Raaj Vora, Jerry Xing, and Mark Miller from Simcoe-Muskoka Orthopaedics are active credentialed staff at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and will also support orthopaedic-related surgery in Muskoka.
Dr. Brent Mollon completed medical school at the University of Western Ontario in London and residency at the University of Toronto. His fellowship training in shoulder, elbow and sports medicine was at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, New York University in New York City, as well as sports medicine at the University of Toronto. He is a candidate member of the American Society of Shoulder and Elbow surgeons and an active member of the Canadian Orthopaedic Association. In addition to clinical work, Dr. Mollon continues to participate in research projects and publish articles in peer-reviewed journals.
Dr. Raaj Vora attended McMaster Medical School followed by a five-year residency at the University of Toronto Orthopaedic Surgery Residency and specializes in hip and knee reconstruction and trauma. He completed a fellowship in sports medicine and trauma at St. Michael’s Hospital followed by a fellowship in adult hip and knee reconstruction at UHN’s Toronto Western Hospital. Dr. Vora loves his Muskoka cottage and is excited to join the MAHC team.
Dr. Jerry Xing obtained his medical degree from the University of Alberta in 2010, and completed orthopaedic training in 2015 at the University of Toronto. He went on to complete two foot and ankle subspecialty fellowships at North Sydney in Australia as well as the University of Toronto. Since 2017 he has been working as part of the Simcoe-Muskoka orthopaedic group in Orillia specializing in trauma, foot and ankle.
Dr. Mark Miller completed both medical school and residency training at the University of Toronto before completing one year of fellowship training in orthopaedic trauma surgery at the University of British Columbia, and one year of fellowship training in lower extremity reconstruction at Dalhousie University. In 2018, he started full-time practice at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital focused on lower extremity reconstruction (primary/revision arthroplasty) and adult and pediatric orthopaedic trauma. Dr. Miller is originally from Parry Sound and is thrilled to be able to practice and care for patients so close to home.
Natalie Bubela, MAHC president and CEO, praises the exceptional teamwork and support that has culminated in this additional surgical service.
“Launching another surgical specialty is the result of the enthusiasm of our Surgical Services leadership, the keenness of our OR teams, including medical device reprocessing and anesthesia, as well as support from Radiology,” says Bubela. “Expanding our surgical offering supports an expanded skill set and will help to decrease surgical wait time in the broader North Simcoe Muskoka region.”
Katherine Craine, executive director of Huntsville Hospital Foundation, adds the Foundation was pleased to support the expansion of surgical services by raising funds for the required equipment.
”As we enter into our Focus on Imaging campaign for diagnostic needs, the timing couldn’t be better,” says Craine. “All health care teams require up-to-date equipment to diagnose and treat our patients.”
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I have been waiting for almost 2 years for foot surgery ,I’m over the moon there here,thank you for coming
What a wonderful addition to the Huntsville hospital. I also have used Dr. Vora’s services and he is a wonderful person and an excellent surgeon. Dr. Xing also has helped me with a toe problem and is also excellent……how fortunate are we!!!
It is great to see our medical community and health care system working together on a venture like this. I can speak personally having had a recent total knee replacement by Dr. Vora which was done in Orillia. Not only is he a great person but a terrific surgeon as well. To have this caliber of orthopedic care right here in Huntsville is a big win the the whole community. Well done to all parties who pulled this together!
This is amazing for Huntsville and having experiences the quality of care that 2 of these doctors provided, I could not be happier for our community.
Two yeas ago I fell and injured my knee. I have a torn meniscus and a Baker’s Cyst. I was referred to another surgeon who found a piece of floating bone in my knee. Unfortunately the pain is getting worse and is affecting my foot, knee and big time in my back and my balance. I just like others am waiting for surgery. So glad there will be help in Huntsville.
Sharon and I are excited to see these developments. Huntsville is growing by leaps and bounds and deserves thriving, vibrant medical to match. Well done HH Foundation! Looks like our hospital is really here to stay.
I have been waiting for knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus since last October. I realize the problem of the pandemic however I had to go to Orillia for the MRI, have seen the surgeon and some day will go to Barrie for day surgery. Hopefully things will be easier for Muskokans in the near future. Thank you.
This is a great addition to our healthcare community. Welcome gentlemen!
So exiting for all of us here in Huntsville and surrounding areas.
We have a wonderful Hospital and medical staffs here and I thank you for bringing this very important service to us.
Bringing it closer to home. Thankyou!