Talented surgeon reflects on first year at Richmond Hospital
When a construction worker breaks an arm and that injury cuts off circulation, you may not know it, but a vascular surgeon offers the best chance to save that arm. And if someone you love suffers a ruptured aneurysm, a bulge in a blood-vessel wall, a vascular surgeon can be the one to save his or her life. Vascular surgery involves the treatment and repair of the veins and arteries beyond the brain and heart, and a vascular surgeon can be the difference between mobility or disability or even life and death. From emergency repair of aneurysms to bypass surgery and more, vascular surgery treats a wide array of potentially life-altering or life-threatening diseases and illnesses.
That’s why in late 2013 Richmond Hospital was thrilled to welcome to its surgery team, Dr. Daniel Kopac, a talented and experienced vascular and endovascular surgeon with a practice in both vascular and general surgery. Along with his wife and their two young children, Dr. Kopac says they already feel like part of the community. Here is Dr. Kopac as he reflects on his first year at Richmond Hospital:
“My family loves being in Richmond. It’s peaceful. We’re close to nature trails and the ocean. And we’re close to the hospital, which is so important for me because I could be called in at any time.
“I was attracted to Richmond Hospital for the collegial, compassionate, generous and friendly atmosphere here. There were a lot of places in North America I could have gone, but not everywhere has a great team that truly cares about patients like the medical staff at Richmond Hospital does. And the donor-funded C-Arm—which is a mobile diagnostic imaging tool for surgeons in the OR—really sealed the deal. Without it, I wouldn’t be able to do my job. It’s that simple. I need the best medical imaging possible and having that machine on site was the tipping point to attracting me here. It allows us to do sophisticated procedures right here in Richmond, which is a huge benefit for our patients.
“I have had patients who’ve had aneurysms who can leave the hospital 24 hours later wearing just two Band-Aids. That would have been unheard of not too long ago. Thanks to donors in our community, we’re at the forefront of surgical technology with this and we’re seeing better and better outcomes. Having the right equipment to do our jobs is vital. When someone can leave the hospital walking instead of being in a wheelchair for the rest of his or her life, we’ve done something amazing. Thanks to our donors who helped fund the equipment, we’re saving lives, limbs and easing chronic pain as well.”