Dryden Regional Health Centre (File Photo / Acadia Broadcasting)

Dryden’s Regional Health Centre’s set an important first with two spinal fusions and three lumbar decompressions.

The DRHC has a regional spine program, that aligns with their surgical model of care that states that medical service should be provided closer to home whenever possible.

Dr. David Puskus, an orthopedic surgeon based out of Thunder Bay, traveled to Dryden to perform the surgeries.

“The Regional Orthopedic Program has demonstrated that simple spine surgeries including spinal fusion can be safely completed in the region as a tactic to reduce waitlists for surgeries that can achieve good symptom management for patients,” Dr. Puskas shared

One of the recipients of the successful operations noted the benefits of a local procedure. “I appreciate that I could have surgery locally; I can’t imagine having to get in a vehicle to drive four or five hours after my surgery,” patient Richard Kanceruk.

“Adding spines to the roster of procedures that can be performed in our Operating Room aligns with our strategic goal to adapt core services to better meet the needs our patients and maximize our use of resources,” said President and CEO of DRHC Doreen Armstrong-Ross