St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation recently contributed $167,000 to fund surgical equipment that will enhance and support the orthopedic surgical program at St. Luke’s Hospital.

“Our board of trustees were unanimous in supporting the surgical needs of our hospital,” said Meshelle Colvin, executive director of the foundation. “Since 2013, when the new orthopedic wing opened, many of our donors and board members in the community have benefited from the advanced orthopedic procedures available at St. Luke’s. When the need arose to update operating equipment, our board of trustees readily approved to contribute the funds for St. Luke’s orthopedic program.

“St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation raised and contributed more than $2.5 million for the ‘Building on Excellence’ capital campaign during the construction of the impressive six-room orthopedic wing and rehabilitation center.” 

The new ConMed Instrument System is utilized during total joint surgeries by orthopedic surgeons Dr. Brian Rosenberg and Dr. Tom Cadier, and includes tools that are used in hip, knee and shoulder surgeries. Existing tools were becoming inefficient and costly to repair.

Prior to purchase, the ConMed system was trialed in the operating room by Dr. Rosenberg’s team with impressive results and overwhelming approval.

“The purchase includes drills, saws and reamers, mostly used in orthopedic cases,” said Laurann Adams, director of surgical services. “The new equipment will facilitate a very smooth case without increased time to procure replacement.”

As orthopedic surgeries at St. Luke’s Hospital are expected to increase, the updated equipment reduces the “downtime” for cleaning and sanitizing surgical equipment between surgeries.

St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation was established in October 1991 to raise funds for projects designed to enhance the delivery of high-quality healthcare to the St. Luke’s Hospital service area. Funds are used to make significant facility improvements, purchase clinical and diagnostic equipment, and increase the foundation’s endowment through planned giving.

For more information about St. Luke’s Hospital Foundation, please contact Colvin at 828- 894-2693 or meshelle.colvin@slhnc.org.

-Submitted by Jennifer Wilson