Medical Group surgery practice expands support for patients and physicians

Four accomplished general surgeons have joined the The Medical Group of Christiana Care in recent months, making it easier for Christiana Care clinicians to refer patients for surgical procedures to correct a range of abdominal and breast diseases.

The surgeons join more than 140 doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other caregivers seeking to serve patients through the collaborative use of electronic health records, the promotion of quality improvements, and by providing expert, timely and compassionate care.

“As we move forward with value-based compensation and continue to place an emphasis on improvements in care while holding down costs, we are delighted to have outstanding general surgeons join our Medical Group,” said Gerard J. Fulda, M.D., FACS, FCCM, FCCP, chair of the Department of Surgery. “They will be able to assist patients with issues related to a wide variety of general surgical diseases.”

Three of the new general surgeons are now in Suite 3301 of the Medical Arts Pavilion 2 on the Christiana Hospital campus. They are colleagues who know and respect each other, having worked in New Castle County solo and group practices for decades. In addition, they are board-certified by the American Board of Surgery, are experienced with endoscopic and laparoscopic techniques and have affiliations with the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute.

The surgeons are:

• James I. Tikellis, M.D., who earned his medical degree from Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta. He completed his residency in general surgery and fellowship in trauma and critical care medicine at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
• William C. Egan, M.D., FACS, who earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He completed his residency in general surgery at State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University, Health Science Center.
• Wesley Clayton III, M.D., MBA, FACS, ACPE, who earned his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. He completed his residency in general surgery at Christiana Care and holds a master’s degree in health care administration from Wilmington University in Delaware. Dr. Clayton is also an adjunct professor with the Graduate Business Degrees Program at Wilmington University.

“We have all seen patients for each other and have the same high expectations, with a desire for excellence in all that we do,” said Dr. Clayton. “More importantly, we are all community-oriented. Our patients are like family, and they often bring other family members to us for care.”

Dr. Egan has lightheartedly suggested that the surgeons are akin to the Three Musketeers, who hold the motto: “One for all and all for one.”

Another new general surgeon to join the Christiana Care Medical Group is Jaime Giraldo Arango, M.D., FACS, who has offices in the Rocco A. Abessinio Family Wilmington Health Center. A Colombia native, Dr. Giraldo Arango obtained his medical degree from Pontifica Bolivariana University in Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia, and did his residency at Christiana Care and the Instituto de Ciencias de La Salud, Medellín. More recently, he has been an attending surgeon at the Great River Medical Center in Burlington, Iowa, and Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery and has experience in  general surgery, critical care, and endoscopy and laparoscopic surgery.

Dr. Giraldo Arango said there are several reasons that he is returning to the Christiana Care Health System. “The first thing is that I have experienced what a well-run hospital system this is,” he said. “And I have been blessed to have supportive mentors, such as Dr. Fulda. I also have been offered wonderful opportunities to serve the Delaware community and hopefully can make a difference, not only in the area of medicine, but on social issues, too.”

Dr. Giraldo Arango joins the general surgical practice in the Gateway Building that includes Matthew S. Rubino, M.D., FACS, chief of Surgical Services, and Jeffry T. Zern, M.D., FACS, director of Minimally Invasive Surgery, General Surgery. “With the addition of the new surgeons we are strengthening support for our patients within the medical group, making it easier for patients to be treated in a timely way,” said Dr. Rubino.

The general surgeons will assist in the Emergency Department and often consult with patients admitted to the hospitals of the Christiana Care Health System. They will also be active in the General Surgery Residency Program helping educate the next generation of physicians.

“We all welcome the opportunity to teach and experience the sense of collegiality that comes from working closely with clinicians in our group,” said Dr. Tikellis.