Gaylord, Mich. — Otsego Memorial Hospital (OMH) is hosting a free hernia screening & da Vinci Surgical System test drive event at the Ellison Place in Gaylord on Thursday, February 22nd. The event will take place from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., and free registration is required. Those who pre-register will receive lunch at the event. Attendees will learn more about hernias, a common, yet overlooked condition. Screenings will be performed by OMH General Surgeons, which includes Dr. James Shurlow, Dr. Wendy Frye, and Dr. John Moffat.
A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that normally holds it in place. Hernias are more common in men, but women can also develop them. Symptoms of a hernia include:
- Pain or discomfort in the affected area (usually lower abdomen), especially when bending over, coughing, or lifting
- Bulge or lump in the affected area
- Weakness, pressure, or a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen
- Burning, gurgling, or aching sensation at the site of the bulge
- In some cases patients have no symptoms, which is why screening is so important.
Attendees will also get the chance to the test drive the state-of-the-art da Vinci Surgical System used for robotic assisted minimally invasive surgeries at OMH, such as hernia repairs. A demonstration unit will be on site for participants to try by controlling the machine and seeing the 3D camera operating in real time while performing simulated surgeries. Dr. Cortney Casper, OBGYN, will be answering questions about the da Vinci Surgical System, as well. OMH providers utilize the da Vinci Surgical System for robotic assisted general and gynecological surgeries.
For more information and to register for the free hernia screening and da Vinci test drive event, please visit da Vinci Surgical System. The Ellison Place is located at 150 Dale Dr. in Gaylord.
Otsego Memorial Hospital is a 46 bed nonprofit, progressive, primary and secondary care facility addressing the healthcare needs of those living, traveling and healing within the communities of Atlanta, Elmira, Frederic, Gaylord, Indian River, Cheboygan, Johannesburg, Lewiston, Waters, and Vanderbilt. OMH is home to northern Michigan’s largest multi-specialty medical group, with more than 70 providers offering primary, specialty, and walk in services. OMH is an affiliated partner with Munson Healthcare in Traverse City, Michigan.
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