Karen Fields, M.S.P.A.S., PA-C, investigates Zimmers Minimally Invasive Solutions (MIS) Procedures in the hopes it may dramatically improve the quality of her patients lives.

Karen Fields, a Physician Assistant in orthopedic surgery, along with Dr. Joseph McCormick, MD, practiced with new technology and minimally invasive procedures at Zimmers Surgeon-to-Surgeon program MIS 2-Incision Hip Procedure" at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, to advance patient care at Affinity Health Systems St. Elizabeth Hospital, Appleton and Calumet Medical Center, Chilton, Wisconsin.

(PRWEB) June 28, 2004 -- Excellent orthopedic patient care is built on professional medical excellence and outstanding team work" said Fields. Dr. Joe McCormick, MD is our exceptional Team Leader of Surgical Services. Nancy Buchholz, RN is our first-rate Clinical Nurse. I count medical product representatives like Fred Fullerton and Greg Manion of Zimmer Thomson Assoc Inc. a part of our extensive health care team. Were all committed to excellence in our medical practice and patient care for the love of medicine and our orthopedic patients."

Fred arranged for Dr. McCormick and myself to attend Zimmers Surgeon-to-Surgeon Program, at Johns Hopkins," continued Fields. Dr. Steven Weeden, MD, gave a fantastic presentation demonstrating surgical procedures and knowledgeable tips of minimally invasive joint replacement that Zimmer illustrates will minimize blood loss during surgery which will shorten or nearly eliminate the associated hospital stay, while minimizing pain in rehabilitation and accelerate the orthopedic patients return to their normal lifestyle."

I support the goals of Zimmers Surgeon to Surgeon program, and look forward to more opportunities to further enhance my surgical skills," said Fields.

Zimmer.com The Surgeon to Surgeon program is designed for surgeons who want to improve their technical proficiency with Zimmer products in a live, real-time setting. This program arranges for you to observe a live procedure with one of our host surgeons. It provides an opportunity to learn new surgical techniques and tips, and get answers to your questions from surgeons who have in-depth knowledge regarding instruments and techniques. Many of the host surgeons are consultants or members of the design teams involved with the development of our implants. All of the host surgeons and O.R. personnel involved have clinical experience with the products that are the focus of your visit. ...The Institute offers surgeons the opportunity to learn the surgical procedure in a laboratory environment that closely simulates an operating room. In addition, the Institute employs advanced electronic training equipment and links to satellite facilities."

Fields emphasizes, I cant stress enough the cooperative teamwork necessary to deliver the best in patient care to our patients. Im glad to be a part of the Affinity Health Systems wonderful team and I want to contribute to Affinity and to our patients my intense desire to serve the full health care community. Thats why Im a member of professional Medical organizations like, the American College of Clinicians, Physician Assistant World, the Physician Assistants in Orthopedic Surgery, and support The American Academy of Physician Assistants and the have applied to the American College of Surgeons. Together we can strengthen health care to the maximum benefit of all our patients.

Karen Fields M.S.P.A.S., PA-C, provides personalized orthopedic care to individuals, with a special interest in sports medicine and fracture care. Karen earned her bachelor's degree from Wheaton College, Wheaton, Ill., and is a graduate with distinction from the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program at Arcadia University, Glenside, Pa. Karen is nationally certified by the NCCPA, professionally licensed in the state of Wisconsin and is a member of the American College of Clinicians and Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery.

http://www.KEFields-pa.com
http://www.affinityhealth.org/page/physicianProfile.html?id=4449

Joseph McCormick, MD, provides comprehensive orthopedic surgery care, with an emphasis in joint replacement, sports related injuries and pediatrics. Dr. McCormick earned his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. He served his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Colorado-Health Sciences Center in Denver.

http://orthodoc.aaos.org/mccormick
http://www.affinityhealth.org/page/physicianProfile.html?id=3694

Steven Weeden, MD, Adult Orthopedic Reconstruction The Texas Hip and Knee Center, L.L.P.
http://www.texashipandkneecenter.com/Weeden_curriculum.html

Sources:
Affinity Health Systems http://www.affinityhealth.org/
Johns Hopkins Hospital http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/hopkinshospital/
Zimmer http://www.zimmer.com/ctl?op=global&action=1&template=MP&id=3045

Physician Assistant World http://www.Paworld.net
Physician Assistants Committed to excellence in their medical practice and patient care for the love of medicine and patients winning the heart of medicine and patients-one patient at a timeŠ

American College of Clinicians http://www.amcollege.org
The American College of Clinicians is an organization of nurse practitioners and physician assistants committed to working together to provide the highest level of care to our patients. We promote access to innovative, affordable continuing education, and the integration of PAs and NPs as full members of the health care team.

Physician Assistant Orthopeadic Surgery http://paos.org/
Physician Assistants in Orthopaedic Surgery (PAOS) is the only national organization that represents physician assistants (PAs) in orthopaedics.

American Academy of Physician Assistants http://www.aapa.org
The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) is the only national organization that represents physician assistants (PAs) in all specialties and all employment settings.

National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistant http://www.nccpa.net

Issued by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), the Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) credential is a mark of professional accomplishment, indicating the achievement and maintenance of established levels of knowledge and clinical skills. The PA-C credential is widely recognized within the medical professions and beyond. In fact, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the American territories require the mark for licensure or regulation of physician assistants.

The American College of Surgeons http://www.facs.org
American College of Surgeons dedicated to improving the care of the surgical patient and to safeguarding standards of care in an optimal and ethical practice environment