Orthopaedics Program Grows at Curry Health Network

GOLD BEACH, OR (March 15, 2017) - With the upcoming opening of the new Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach coupled with the recent addition of orthopaedic surgeon Cornelius (Connie) L. Britt, M.D., Curry Health Network's CEO Ginny Razo says the Orthopaedics program will be bigger and better than ever.

"We're very excited to have Dr. Britt on board," said Razo. "As a small health network in a rural location, we're lucky to have successfully recruited such an experienced and accomplished board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who is just as excited to be here as we are to have him. We know the community will benefit greatly by his addition."

When asked what drew him to Curry Health Network, Dr. Britt said one of the main attractions was the opportunity to work in a brand new hospital. Pausing briefly, he clarified, "The new hospital, the team Ginny has put together, and the opportunity to be part of a Network that truly has the health and well-being of the community members as its primary focus were all big factors."

Dr. Britt is clearly thrilled at the prospect of performing surgeries not available at the Network in recent years, and to do so in what he called the "spectacular and state-of-the-art surgical suites" in the new hospital. According to Razo, the combination of the new surgeon and the new hospital will allow for an expanded orthopaedic program which includes total knee and total hip replacements.

"These procedures allow for less invasive approaches to lower extremity joint replacements," Britt explained. "They're 'muscle-sparing' procedures, and they give patients the ability to ambulate more quickly and to have a much shorter hospital stay - often just one night."

The total knee and total hip replacements will just be two of the procedures available. "Other procedures include rotator cuff repair for shoulders, as well as procedures for shoulder instability. Hand surgeries including carpal tunnel release, trigger finger release, ganglion cyst excision, extensor tendon repair and treatment of hand fractures," said Britt. "And more," Razo added, rattling off a list including wrist, hip, ankle and many other bone fractures, and numerous Arthroscopic surgical procedures for the knee.

"Although I enjoy all orthopaedic surgical procedures, I have a particular fondness for total knee and total hip replacements," said Britt. "Those operations can truly change people's lives for the better."

Dr. Britt has practiced in his specialty for more than 35 years, most recently in private practice in Lander, Wyoming. While he says he will miss many great friendships developed over his 14 years in Wyoming, he will also miss trout fishing in the mountain streams of that area. "I plan to try to make up for that by chasing steelhead and salmon", he said with a chuckle.

"My wife Deborah and I are really looking forward to settling into our new home in Gold Beach, and to have our three grown sons, two daughters-in-law - three, in June, when our youngest son is married - and two grandchildren visit," he said. "The staff has been great, the community has been friendly, and we're really happy to be here."

Certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Britt earned his medical degree from the University of Missouri - Columbia, School of Medicine, completed a rotating internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, and an orthopaedic surgery program residency at the University of Missouri - Columbia, School of Medicine.

Dr. Britt will see patients at Curry Medical Center in Brookings, and at Curry Medical Practice in Gold Beach. While the Gold Beach clinic currently operates out of a small outbuilding on the hospital campus, it will be relocated to the second floor in the new Curry General. Patients are invited to call 541-412-2000 for an appointment.