CMH Acquires Orthopaedic Practice of Dr. Matrka;

Prepares for August Arrival of Orthopaedic Surgeon

CMH Regional Health System/Clinton Memorial Hospital has acquired the practice of longtime Wilmington orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Tom Matrka.

Dr. Matrka's staff remains intact and the only obvious change is that the practice will soon be called Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine to reflect the addition in August of orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Michael Griesser, who has extensive training and experience in sports medicine.

The practice will stay in its current space, Suite 109, CMH Professional Building, 630 W. Main St. The office number remains 937-382-6951. "Our patients will continue to receive the same service and concern and we will continue to provide care in all aspects of orthopaedics," said Dr. Matrka, who joined the CMH Medical Staff in 1980. "The addition of Dr. Griesser will assure our current and future patients of the ability to meet their orthopaedic needs here in Wilmington."

Although not a partner in the practice, orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Steven Agabegi continues to see patients in this office on Tuesday afternoons and all day on Fridays. Dr. Agabegi specializes in neck and spine surgery in adult and pediatric patients. Appointments with Dr. Agabegi can be scheduled by calling 513-475-8690.

Dr. Griesser's arrival will give CMH four orthopaedic surgeons, as well as three fulltime, for the first time in its history. The fourth is Dr. Rick Compton, who joined the staff in 1993. Dr. Compton specializes in all aspects of orthopaedic surgery, including sports medicine. He practices in Suite 102 of the CMH Professional Building. His office number is 382-7374.

"With these four great orthopedic surgeons, I am confident that our community's orthopaedic needs will be served and we will achieve growth in our orthopaedic service line," said Dr. Michael Choo, president and chief executive officer of CMH.

Dr. Matrka, who is considering retirement in mid-2013, is confident that the area's orthopedic needs are in good hands for years to come. Dr. Agabegi recently expanded his office hours in Wilmington and Dr. Matrka and Dr. Compton have collaborated well for 19 years.

As for Dr. Griesser, Dr. Matrka said, "He is a great and talented young man. I am very impressed with his credentials and I look forward to working with him."

New MRI Latest Advancement

In CMH Diagnostic Imaging Services

A new and larger technologically-advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine is now in service in Clinton Memorial Hospital's Diagnostic Imaging Services, the latest in a number of improved diagnostic tools that have been added recently for the benefit of patients and their physicians.

An MRI exam provides physicians with high quality images that can be used to diagnose and evaluate patient physical conditions. MRI machines use a magnetic field and radio frequencies to produce imagery inside of the body, including organs and bone joints. MRI does not use any radiation.

"The new MRI offers an improved experience for patients, especially those with claustrophobia," said Gene Hook, manager of the department. "It features significantly improved patient comfort and increases the range of patients who can be imaged. It provides a greater feeling of openness and the technology dramatically reduces acoustic noise, the most significant cause of patient discomfort during an exam."

(CMH staff technologist Kristen Meier, left, is shown demonstrating the more spacious MRI with the help of fellow CMH technologist and "patient" Luann Mellinger. Not present for the photo was MRI technologist Michele Keeley.)

CMH has invested more than $10 million in the last year in capital improvements, many of them in the diagnostic arena for its first digital mammography system, a new stereotactic breast biopsy system, two new general ultrasound systems, three new vascular and echo ultrasound systems and a new 128-slice CT scanner.

And CMH's Picture Archiving Computer System has been enhanced with new hardware, software and reading stations to better serve physicians and improve their ability to see results remotely. "All of this new technology allows us to do exams at a higher quality level with greater efficiency and more expediently to the benefit of patients and physicians," Hook said.

CMH Diagnostic Imaging Services is accredited in general ultrasound, breast biopsy ultrasound, MRI, CT, stereotactic mammography biopsy, nuclear medicine and is considered an American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Center of Excellence.

"We have also recently passed the annual Ohio Department of Health (ODH) inspection, as well as our annual ODH/Food and Drug Administration mammography audit," Hook said. "This is great confirmation of the quality at CMH and a testament to the outstanding skill and dedication that our imaging staff extends to patients each and every day. We are among a very few that have all of these accreditations."

For all the latest health news and information, go to www.cmhregional.com