Sams Performs First Hip Replacement at PCH

Pana Community Hospital is excited to announce completion of the first total hip replacement procedure in the hospital’s state of the art surgical suite.  The procedure was performed by Dr. Jacob Sams of Decatur Orthopedic Group (DOC).  Pana Community Hospital has formed a new collaboration with Dr. Jacob Sams and Dr. Donald Sullivan of DOC. This new collaboration brings a comprehensive joint replacement program to Pana Community Hospital.

“It is very exciting to be able to bring the latest surgical techniques to PCH. The first hip replacement went very well. The past several months of preparation on behalf of the staff in addition to the exceptional facility provided the opportunity to have an excellent surgical experience for everyone,” stated Dr. Jacob Sams. 

“We have been preparing our team to provide excellent care for the patient from the clinic to the OR to the post-procedure experience for our join replacement program for months now,” stated Vickie Coen, Chief Clinical Officer/Nurse Executive.  Stefanie Anderson, Preoperative Services Manager added; “The OR staff has received additional training through on-site experiences at a hospital in the region who has provided total joint replacement procedures for many years.  Our team of nurses observed Drs. Sams/Sullivan in preparation for the first case.  Drs. Sams/Sullivan are great to work with and we are excited to bring this level of expertise to our local community.”

The Decatur Orthopedic Center, Dr. Sams, and Dr. Sullivan, have been providing high quality orthopedic services to both the Decatur and Monticello communities for over 7 years and wanted to expand these services to Pana and the surrounding communities.  Currently DOC offers clinics twice a week for patient evaluations.  Assisting Drs. Sams and Sullivan are Nurse Practitioners, Holly Chapman and Kelsey Thacker.  Clinics are offered every Tuesday and Friday in PCH’s medical mall.  Referrals may be needed from a primary care physician for appointments.   

Not all Critical Access Hospitals are equipped to provide and deliver this level of surgical procedures as total joint replacement is something patients usually have to travel to Springfield or Decatur for.  “When we developed our vision for an expansion project for PCH, one goal was to create operating rooms that were state of art with recovery bays for observation post op.  We have been working diligently to see our dream to bring joint replacement to PCH a reality,” stated Trina Casner, President and CEO of PCH.  “We feel Decatur Orthopedic group was the best option for our patients because they share our high standards in providing quality, compassionate care with successful patient outcomes.”