Long Branch, N.J. — Monmouth Medical Center (MMC) and Seaview Orthopaedics are partnering to participate in Operation Walk, a nationwide initiative that provides free joint replacements to uninsured patients in need, now in its 13th year. They will be among 25 orthopedic surgeons and 20 hospitals nationwide providing procedures this month as part of the program.
Since its inception, Operation Walk has provided free joint replacement surgeries for more than 860 patients without health insurance, with the value of these procedures exceeding $23 million.
“Many patients with advanced arthritis suffer from debilitating hip and knee pain. The daily activities we all take for granted, such as lifting a child or taking a walk, become physically challenging,” said David Chalnick, M.D., medical director of MMC’s Joint Replacement Surgery Program and an orthopedic surgeon with Seaview Orthopaedics. “Joint replacement surgery can be life-changing, allowing patients to get back to their active lifestyles. Through Operation Walk, we wanted to help those without insurance who otherwise would not have the opportunity to get that new lease on life.”
MMC previously participated in Operation Walk in 2013 with Dr. Chalnick performing bilateral knee replacement surgery for a 48-year-old Morristown resident. In 2012, MMC was the only New Jersey hospital to participate in the initiative, with Dr. Chalnick performing life-altering hip replacement surgeries on a 58-year-old Toms River resident and 59-year-old Long Branch resident.
Orthopedic surgeons on staff at MMC and Seaview Orthopaedics will provide two procedures as part of this year’s Operation Walk program. Joel Fechisin, M.D., will perform knee replacement surgery on a New York-based patient, with physical therapy services provided free of charge by JAG Physical Therapy to assist the patient in their recovery. Arthur Mark, M.D., will perform a bilateral knee replacement on a Manalapan, NJ-based patient, with Seaview Orthopaedics providing free physical therapy services. Both surgeons are on staff at MMC and Seaview Orthopaedics. Zimmer Biomet will donate the implants for both procedures.
“Monmouth Medical Center is proud to once again participate in Operation Walk and offer these services at no charge as part of our efforts to give back to the communities we serve,” said Eric Carney, President and CEO of MMC and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood. “We are grateful to our surgeons and our partners for their generosity this holiday season, providing two patients with the tremendous gift of renewed health and improved mobility.”
RWJBarnabas Health offers comprehensive orthopedic services for adults and children to help manage conditions caused by arthritis, degenerative joint disease, injuries, congenital issues and general wear and tear. Orthopedic services offered at its acute care, ambulatory care and rehabilitation facilities throughout New Jersey include emergency care, diagnostic testing, surgery, sports medicine and rehabilitation services.
In recognition of MMC’s commitment to excellence in providing care for joint replacement and spine surgery patients, the hospital was awarded Joint Commission Disease Specific Certification for total hip, total knee and spine surgery. Additionally, the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children’s Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick is ranked 34th in the nation for pediatric orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report.
About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering eight counties with five million people. The system includes twelve acute care hospitals – Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, three acute care children’s hospitals, Children’s Specialized Hospital with a network of outpatient pediatric rehabilitation centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state’s largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, affiliated medical groups, multi-site imaging centers and two accountable care organizations.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey’s largest private employers – with more than 38,000 employees and 9,000 physicians – and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health launched an affiliation with Rutgers University to create New Jersey’s largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers’ education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey – the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.
Source: RWJ Barnabas Health
