HJAR Jan/Feb 2023

60 JAN / FEB 2023  I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS Hospital Rounds Saline Health SystemOffering Robotic-Assisted Hip Surgery Saline Health System recently upgraded its robotic surgical assistant so that it could be used for hip surgeries. Its first robotic-assisted hip sur- gery was performed Nov. 21, 2022. The hospital has been using the robotic surgi- cal assistant (ROSA) for knee replacements since October 2021, according to Jeff Johnson, MD, orthopedic surgeon. The robotic surgery assistant guides surgeons during the surgeries by providing precise measurements for the angles of implants. “If we get the angles and alignment of implants right, we have better motion, better function, less instability, less pain and increased survivorship of implants,” Johnson said. “So, that’s what we are using ROSA for — to make sure that the angles are the ideal angles.” The robotic-assisted surgeries are also done using a less invasive anterior approach, which means shorter recovery times and better clinical outcomes. CHI St. Vincent Appoints Joshua Szostek as VP of Operations CHI St. Vincent named Joshua Szostek as the nonprofit health system’s new vice president of operations. In addition to championing opera- tional improvements and workflow efficiencies across the health system, Szostek will also over- see CHI St. Vincent’s finance department, ensur- ing a strong financial foundation. “Healthcare is at a critical moment, facing not only public health challenges but also economic ones that threaten to limit the ability to deliver compassionate care to our communities. This is a moment that requires thoughtful, practiced leaders like Joshua,” said CHI St. Vincent CEO Chad Aduddell. “We are thankful to have the opportunity to welcome him to the CHI St. Vin- cent family as we all work together to ensure our patients have access to the exceptional healthcare resources and providers they deserve.” Szostek also serves as an adjunct professor for Davenport University’s School of Business teach- ing graduate coursework in healthcare manage- ment. Prior to joining CHI St. Vincent, he served as chief financial officer for Broward Health North in Deerfield Beach, Florida, and HCA Hous- ton Healthcare – medical center and specialty hospital, acute care. Szostek earned an MBA from Keller University in Chicago and is an adjunct pro- fessor in Davenport University’s College of Busi- ness health care management program. Baptist HealthMedical Center-Little Rock Awarded Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification from Joint Commission Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval and the American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check Mark for Comprehensive Stroke Cen- ter Certification. Comprehensive stroke center certification is the highest level of certification for hospitals with spe- cific abilities to receive and treat the most com- plex stroke cases, according to The Joint Com- mission. To qualify, a hospital must provide 24/7 access to the facilities, equipment, and staff nec- essary to carry out advanced stroke care. Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock under- went a rigorous, two-day, on-site review on Sept. 15 and 16. During the visit, Joint Commission reviewers evaluated compliance with related cer- tification standards and commended the stroke team for their outstanding program. “Comprehensive Stroke Center Certification recognizes healthcare organizations committed to fostering continuous quality improvement in patient safety and quality of care,” says Mark Pel- letier, RN, MS, chief operating officer, accredita- tion and certification operations, and chief nursing executive, The Joint Commission. “We commend Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock for using certification to reduce variation in its clinical pro- cesses and to strengthen its program structure and management framework for stroke patients.” The Joint Commission, an independent, not-for- profit organization, accredits and certifies more than 22,000 healthcare organizations and pro- grams. It is the oldest and largest standards-set- ting and accrediting body in healthcare in the U.S. Peter Emanuel, MD, to Serve as VP of Oncology for National CommonSpirit Health System CHI St. Vincent Director of Oncology Services Peter Emanuel, MD, has been appointed as vice- president of oncology for the entire Common- Spirit Health system. Emanuel will continue in his leadership role growing the oncology program at CHI St. Vincent, which is part of CommonSpirit Health, while also serving as lead physician for CommonSpirit Health as it launches its first nation- wide Oncology Clinical Institute. “This is an incredible opportunity to positively impact the lives and improve the health of so many people, both here in Arkansas and around the country,” said Emanuel. “I’m honored to pur- sue that great work while also continuing to care for my patients and build this important program here in Central Arkansas.” Emanuel, who is an internationally renowned oncologist and leading researcher of adult and pediatric forms of leukemia, joined CHI St. Vincent in 2018 to grow the healing ministry’s oncology program and expand cancer treatment options for its Arkansas communities. He previously worked with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sci- ences, where he was director of the Winthrop P. Joshua Szostek Peter Emanuel, MD