More than 60 VUMC volunteers came together to offer surgical treatment on Orthopaedic Outreach Day
The annual event provides necessary surgery to uninsured patients
August 31, 2022
Photo story by Donn Jones
More than 60 Vanderbilt Health employees volunteered six hours of their time on Saturday, Aug. 20 at Vanderbilt Orthopaedic Outreach Day, so that 15 uninsured patients suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cyst and other hand disorders, as well as knee and shoulder issues, could receive surgical treatment.
Eight orthopaedic surgeons, nine resident surgeons and seven anesthesiologists/nurse anesthetists participated in the surgeries at Vanderbilt Surgery Center in Franklin. “This is a great program that helps those in need in Middle Tennessee,” said Donald Lee, MD, professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation and Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship director, who organizes the event that began in 2017.
Patients underwent surgery for debilitating conditions that frequently fall within a medical care gap that is typically not surgically managed in the free clinic or in the emergency department setting. Patient referrals from five community clinics are coordinated through Shade Tree Clinic, Vanderbilt’s student-run free clinic.
Stephanie Merimee, MD, a clinical fellow in Orthopaedic/Hand Surgery, confers with patient Terry Honea before his surgery.
Fifteen patients received surgery during this year’s Orthopaedic Outreach Day.
Participants in Orthopaedic Outreach Day volunteered their time on a Saturday to help patients who likely would not have received needed hand surgery otherwise.
Kelly Hill, MD, clinical fellow in Orthopaedics/Hand Surgery, discusses a patient’s needs with others on the team.
Orthopaedic resident William Gilbert, MD, Jed Maslow, MD, assistant professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Jonathan Savakus, MD, Orthopaedic resident, during one of the 15 surgeries performed during Orthopaedic Outreach Day.
Lily Bell Durias, RN, BSN, cleans the hand and arm of a patient.
Cathey Butler, RN, BSN, checks with patient Terry Honea after his surgery.
