Tag Archives: hospital santa clara

The Future of Thoracic Surgery

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Dr. Juan Carlos Varon in the bronchoscopy suite


Actually, this title sounds way too dire for the pleasant and relaxed day I spent over at Hospital Santa Clara, interviewing Dr. Barrios, Thoracic Surgeon and two Thoracic residents, Dr. Juan Carlos Veron and Dr. Carlos Carvajal.. But it’s essentially true as I talked to the up and coming Dr. Barrios, and the future thoracic surgeons… Dr. Barrios is currently involved in some very interesting treatments for metastatic cancer.

Dr. Juan Carlos Varon, unmasked

Dr. Carlos Carvajal

I also interviewed Dr. Juan Manuel Troncoso and his partner, Dr. Elena Facundo, two general surgeons who are currently involved in some interesting projects..

Back in the OR with Dr. Buitrago, and a visit with Dr. Andres Franco

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National Cancer Institute –

Dont judge a hospital by the exterior sign..

The view from the fifth floor is less than inspiring – with the Bogota prison from one angle and the now decrepid Hospital San Juan de Dios from another..

The view from the operating room window, the now defunct Hospital San Juan de Dios

But the view from within the operating room is impressive!  Large operating rooms, in an all new facility, with brand new equipment.. This is a first class surgery facility..

 – and the surgery itself was wonderful.  I can’t divulge too many specifics other than it was a huge surgical resection that was the last chance for a heart-breaking patient..

Dr. Buitrago, Thoracic surgeon

 But the case went beautifully.

After spending all morning and part of the afternoon with Dr. Buitrago and his team – I went over to Hospital Santa Clara to interview a nice young thoracic surgeon, Dr. Jaime Andres Franco.  Dr. Franco is actually dually trained as both an Critical Care Medicine specialist and a thoracic surgeon – which is ideal because it means he is even more capable of handling any sort of crisis that may affect his surgical patients. 

I’m hoping to follow him to the operating room soon, so I can give you even more details..

 

In the OR with Dr. Martinez, Thoracic Surgery

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Spent most of the day over at Hospital Santa Clara with Dr. Stella Martinez, thoracic surgeon.. Despite having three cases, Dr. Martinez apologized for the paucity of scheduled OR surgeries due to the upcoming religious holidays..  (Despite Bogota’s booming population – this is a familiar scene, repeated around the city – kind of like people putting off surgery until after Christmas..)

Dr. Martinez, in the OR

I’d been warned by several people about Hospital Santa Clara – it’s one of the poorer public facilities, but to be frank, despite the aging exterior, it beat out some of the homegrown facilities I’ve been to.. While it was obviously a less affluent facility; with a campus style layout, no CT scan, and a 1950’s feel; the hospital was clean,  all of the equipment worked, much of it was new – courtesy of a new administration..

Dr. Stella MArtinez, Thoracic surgeon

Dr. Martinez is impressive, both in and out of the operating room – with an extensive resume, and skill set.  She’s currently the Director of the thoracic surgery residency program at Hospital Santa Clara, and she takes resident training seriously.  She’s also interested, and active in research, and maintains a busy surgery practice at several facilities.  There’s a lot more to say about this talented surgeon , but you’ll have to wait to read the rest.