The new orthopedic surgeon at St. Catherine Hospital had a difficult time explaining what impressed him the most about his new employer. But Titus Plomaritis Jr., M.D., did mention several possibilities.

            “St. Catherine has state-of-the-art equipment and a very well trained staff that has patient care as their priority,” Dr. Plomaritis said. “A significant amount of the hospital is brand new and the equipment in the operating room is second to none.

            “The staff on the floor, in the OR, in the clinic, in radiology – everywhere – demonstrate they are devoted to taking care of their patients,” he added.

            The surgeon’s services include total joint replacement surgery, arthroscopy, knee and shoulder surgery, adult and pediatric fracture care, industrial and sports injury treatment, spine care and hand surgery. He said he feels “privileged” to be at St. Catherine.

            “Of all the organizations and hospitals I considered before moving here, St. Catherine had the best environment for doctors, which means the best environment for patients,” Dr. Plomaritis commented. “Since St. Catherine takes care of all the administrative duties, I can devote 100 percent of my time and energy to my patients.”

            Dr. Plomaritis also noted he was impressed with what may seem like the little things. For example, he mentioned the soothing tunes from volunteers who play a baby grand piano at the hospital.

            “These personal touches are important to patients, as well as their families,” Dr. Plomaritis said. “They create an atmosphere that allows visitors to know they are important to St. Catherine.”

            Most recently, Dr. Plomaritis was in private practice at Piedmont Joint Replacement, Back and Sports Medicine Center in Eden, N.C., which he started in 1987. He earned his M.D. in 1981 at Boston University School of Medicine in Boston, Ma., and in 1982 completed his internship at Boston City Hospital at Malden Hospital. Dr. Plomaritis performed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Medical College of Ohio in Toledo, Oh., from 1982-86.

            While St. Catherine was the main attraction for re-locating to southwest Kansas, the area is the best place for Dr. Plomaritis’ hobby – falconry.

            “There is no better place to practice falconry,” he said. “Southwest Kansas has the best jack rabbit population in the United States.”

            His wife’s name is Jan; her son, Chase, will attend the University of Kansas this fall as a junior.

            Scott Taylor, president and chief executive officer at St. Catherine, said he is excited about growing the hospital’s specialist base, noting there are now four orthopedic surgeons on staff.

            “This is the most we have ever had at one time,” Taylor said. “More specialists will arrive this summer and our specialist outreach program will continue to grow across southwest Kansas, including our sister facility, St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center in Great Bend.”

            Guillermo Garcia, M.D., has been a leader in this regional outreach and James Britton, M.D., performs spine surgery. “Orthopedic surgery is a crucial service at St. Catherine, and based on our outcomes compared with national benchmarks, we excel in it,” Taylor said.

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