Feb 1, 2018 4 min read

Synaptive Medical Inc., a Toronto-based medical technology company, announced that neurosurgeons at Allegheny General Hospital will be the first in Pennsylvania to use its latest generation robotic imaging technology for cranial and spinal procedures.

Derived from a robotic arm previously used on the International Space Station to repair satellites, position astronauts and move cargo, Synaptive’s Modus V surgical robotic arm with a high-powered digital microscope provides the most powerful optics available on the market today. The unprecedented views of patient anatomy enable surgeons to perform less invasive procedures with more precision.

The robotic arm is used in conjunction with Synaptive’s BrightMatter Guide neuro-navigation system, which transforms imaging and surgical planning prior to surgery, and ensures surgical accuracy intraoperatively with real-time presentation of patient data and tracking of instruments.

“The addition of the Synaptive system at AHN further builds upon our legacy of innovation in robot-assisted surgery. We look forward to incorporating this leading-edge technology into our neurosurgery practice, potentially helping us to achieve the best possible outcomes for patients undergoing cranial and spinal surgery, including less post-operative pain, fewer complications and a quicker recovery,” says Donald Whiting, MD, Chair, AHN Neuroscience Institute.

WVU Stroke Center awarded

Advanced Certification for

Comprehensive Stroke Centers

The WVU Stroke Center at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Comprehensive Stroke Centers. The Gold Seal of Approval and the Heart-Check mark represent symbols of quality from their respective organizations.

With this certification, the WVU Stroke Center joins an elite group of healthcare organizations focused on highly-specialized stroke care. To be eligible, hospitals must demonstrate compliance with stroke-related standards as a Primary Stroke Center and meet additional requirements, including those related to advanced imaging capabilities, 24/7 availability of specialized treatments and providing staff with the unique education and competencies to care for complex stroke patients.

The WVU Stroke Center was first designated as a Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission in 2006. It is the first Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center in the state.

St. Clair Hospital names

new chief medical officer

St. Clair Hospital announced the appointment of John T. Sullivan, M.D. as the Hospital’s new senior vice president and chief medical officer.

Sullivan joins St. Clair Hospital from Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, where he served for 17 years in a number of clinical, academic and management positions, most recently as associate chief medical officer for academic affairs, and as professor of anesthesiology in the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. He is also the immediate past-president of the Society for Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology.

“I’m delighted to welcome Dr. Sullivan to Pittsburgh,” says James M. Collins, president and CEO at St. Clair Hospital. “He is uniquely qualified to lead St. Clair’s continued ascent as one of the nation’s leaders in patient safety, quality, patient satisfaction, and value.”

Sullivan earned his medical degree at the University of Michigan Medical School. He completed a residency in anesthesia at Massachusetts General Hospital, which is affiliated with Harvard Medical School. More recently, he received an MBA degree from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He has also held a series of progressively responsible positions with the United States Navy, and currently serves as a Commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

At St. Clair, Sullivan will be responsible for clinical program development, best-in-class performance, and leveraging technology to better serve patients and the community.

Mon-Vale Primary Care’s new doc

Families in Finleyville and the surrounding areas can now schedule an appointment with Laruen Ayersman, D.O., of Mon-Vale Primary Care Practices. Dr. Ayersman is seeing patients in the Martik Plaza office at 6108 Brownsville Road Extension on Mondays and Thursdays.

Ayersman joined Mon-Vale Primary Care Practices in 2013. She is a proponent of preventative medicine and encourages her patients to exercise and lead active lifestyles. She is also a licensed acupuncturist who uses this ancient practice to promote wellness, manage pain and modify behavior. She was one of the first five medical residents in the nation to work in a P4 residency program. P4 is a national project involving a complete residency redesigned for family medicine.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Ayersman in the Finleyville office, call 724-782-0723.