Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) is proud to announce the creation of a Congenital Hand Surgery Service. This service brings together the departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Pediatric Cardiology, and Genetics to offer a team approach for the treatment of children with congenital hand conditions.
“Families whose children have hand deformities are offered the convenience and the expertise of a unique specialty team all on one campus,” said Stephen Colen, M.D., chairman of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at HUMC. “The service will take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities in The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at the medical center.”
The Congenital Hand Surgery Service is directed by Richard Y. Kim, M.D., director of Hand and Replantation Surgery within the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at HUMC. Dr. Kim currently holds a dual appointment at HUMC – within the departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Orthopaedic Surgery.
His training includes congenital hand surgeries at the Boston Children’s Hospital of Harvard University, the Hasbro Children’s Hospital of Brown University, and the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of Columbia University. Dr. Kim also holds an academic appointment at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. “We are really excited about this specialized service. It gives us more opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children,” said Michael Kelly, M.D., chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics at HUMC.
“Hand deformities can be disabling for a child. Our service offers families a multidisciplinary team approach, early consultations and the highest quality of care,” said Dr. Kim.
Patients can be evaluated by the various specialties all within the same day. Any testing required will be offered through The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. Surgeries will be performed in dedicated pediatric operating rooms. Follow-up care with the various specialties can also occur within the same day.
“Often times anomalies/deformities present at birth,” said Robert Wallerstein, M.D., chief of Genetics Services at The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital. “Some of these congenital differences are related to genetics. Our service gives families access to genetic screening, detection, evaluation, and diagnosis.”
“Congenital defects run together with heart disease. When you find one defect, you need to look for more. This may be part of a syndrome or a simple association,” said Robert J. Tozzi, M.D., section chief of Pediatric Cardiology at The Joseph M. Sanzari
Children’s Hospital. “It is our hope to improve the care of these children and their families by offering a specialized, comprehensive service to address all of their medical needs.”
If you would like to make an appointment, please call 201-996-5439. To learn more about The Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital, please visit www.humc.com.
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