Doctors come together to create Borgess Surgical Specialties

Following a national trend, eight general and specialty surgeons have created Borgess Surgical Specialties.

Physicians are increasingly joining regional referral systems like Borgess Health.

A 2012 national physician recruitment survey by physcians search and consulting firm Meritt Hawkins of Irving, Texas, found that more than three-quarters of newly employed doctors are projected to become hospital employees within two years. The survey showed that as solo practices decline the number of physicians employed by hospitals continues to rise.

As Dr. James Babel of the new group puts it: "It is a challenge to navigate the many changes in health care technology and reimbursement when you're separate from a regional medical center, even when you're a member of a consolidated physician group."

"Borgess Health has historically worked closely with many physician groups," says Patrick Dyson, Executive Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Services. "These long-term affiliations are often becoming formal partnerships."

Borgess Surgical Specialties has a diversified team of experts capable of serving many patient needs. They are: Dr. James Babel, who recently became the first Kalamazoo surgeon to perform a single-incision robotic cholecystectomy; Dr. Daniel Stewart, the first physician to serve as Chair of the Borgess Health Board of Trustees in the health system's 122-year history; Dr. Stuart Verseman the area's only board-certified bariatric surgeon; Dr. Maria House, a board-certified colorectal and general surgeon; Dr. Daniel Barnas, a new community physician who comes to Borgess Health from Lehigh Valley Health Network, Allentown, Penn.; Dr. Thomas Rohs, Trauma Services Medical Director for the Borgess Level I Trauma Center; Dr. Fresca Swaniker, Director of Borgess' Advanced Trauma Life Support Course who has been providing emergency surgery and critical care for injured patients since 1997; and  Michael Fiorucci who offers more than 10 years of experience in trauma care, and general and minimally invasive surgery.

All are Fellows of the American College of Surgeons.

The new group is located in Suite 108, North Professional Building on the campus of Borgess Medical Center, and can be reached at 269-226-5456.

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Lew Tysman, Borgess Health