This database was last updated in July 2015 and is based on data from 2009 to 2013. It should only be used as a historical snapshot.
VIA CHRISTI HOSPITALS WICHITA INC
- 929 NORTH ST FRANCIS STREET, WICHITA, KANSAS, 67214, PHONE: 316-268-5000
How Surgeons at This Hospital Perform, by Procedure
An individual surgeon who performs this procedure at this hospital.
At least one surgeon performing this procedure has a high adjusted rate of complications.
How to Read a Surgeon's Chart
Hover over each word for details
How we calculated these rates: Guided by top researchers and doctors, ProPublica used Medicare data from 2009-2013 to identify cases where a patient died in the hospital or had to be readmitted within 30 days for a problem related to one of these elective procedures. We then calculated complication rates for surgeons, carefully accounting for differences in patient health, age and hospital quality. These rates are calculated using data from Medicare records, which do not include patients with private insurance or in another program like Medicaid. A surgeon’s rate spans all hospitals at which he or she operates and is not unique to a given hospital. Read our methodology »
Important: Some surgeons may no longer be operating at this hospital.
Hover over underlined items to see details.
Knee Replacement
Total knee replacement (ICD-9-CM code 81.54)
Replace diseased knee joint with an artificial knee. The most common reason for a knee replacement is osteoarthritis, which is a breakdown of the cartilage in the joint. More information 
PAUL PAPPADEMOS »
ROBERT CUSICK »
TARUN BHARGAVA »
BRUCE BUHR »
KRIS LEWONOWSKI »
DAMION WALKER »
MOHAMEDNIZAR MAHOMED »
CHRISTOPHER ECKLAND »
ANTHONY POLLOCK »
JOHN OSLAND »
ROBERT EYSTER »
JOHN SCHURMAN »
CHARLES PENCE »
BERNARD POOLE »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
JAY JONES, BRADLEY SAUNDERS, JACQUELINE OSLAND, CHRISTOPHER ANDERSON
Hospital Misattributions:
This hospital also billed Medicare for fewer than 11 cases of this procedure that were attributed to non-surgeons. Because the surgeon’s identity is uncertain, we do not report them. Of these cases, 0 resulted in complications.
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Hip Replacement
Total hip replacement (ICD-9-CM code 81.51)
Replace diseased hip joint with an artificial hip joint. The most common reason for a hip replacement is osteoarthritis, which is a breakdown of the cartilage in the joint. More information
BRUCE BUHR »
BRADLEY DART »
DAMION WALKER »
BERNARD POOLE »
ROBERT CUSICK »
MOHAMEDNIZAR MAHOMED »
CHARLES PENCE »
KRIS LEWONOWSKI »
PAUL PAPPADEMOS »
TARUN BHARGAVA »
ROBERT EYSTER »
ANTHONY POLLOCK »
JOHN SCHURMAN »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
Hospital Misattributions:
This hospital also billed Medicare for fewer than 11 cases of this procedure that were attributed to non-surgeons. Because the surgeon’s identity is uncertain, we do not report them. Of these cases, 0 resulted in complications.
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Gallbladder Removal, Laparoscopic
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (ICD-9-CM code 51.23)
Minimally invasive gallbladder removal. This is performed most commonly when gallstones are blocking the flow of bile. More information
WHITNEY VINZANT »
JEREMY HOWES »
RUSSELL BEAMER »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
ROBERT BINGAMAN, GARY JOST, MARK NIEDEREE, KYLE VINCENT, JAMES FRENCH, JASON KNUDTSON, RONALD NOLD, GREGORY SACHS, DUANE OSBORNE, JERRY GASTON, JODY NEFF, JAMES HAAN, STEPHANIE OBERHELMAN, NICHOLAS BROWN, JOHN SMITH, ANTHONY REZCALLAH, JACQUELINE OSLAND, CHARLES SHIELD, NOEL SANCHEZ, BRENT LANCASTER, JOHN SMITH, E. BRINTON
The following surgeons also perform procedures at a hospital that has misattributed surgeons’ identities, so we are not reporting their results:
Hospital Misattributions:
This hospital also billed Medicare for fewer than 11 cases of this procedure that were attributed to non-surgeons. Because the surgeon’s identity is uncertain, we do not report them. Of these cases, 0 resulted in complications.
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Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Posterior Column and Approach
Fusing two or more vertebrae in the lower back; performed on the back of the spine, incision in the back (ICD-9-CM code 81.07)
The fusing of two or more vertebrae in the lower back, performed on the back portion of the spine. One of the most common reasons is the narrowing of the space between the vertebrae, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain. It can also be done because of disc degeneration or a condition where one bone in the back slides forward over the bone below it. More information
MICHAEL CHANG »
B MELLION »
MATTHEW HENRY »
ALAN MOSKOWITZ »
MARK WHITAKER »
CHRISTIAN LOTHES »
JOHN DICKERSON »
RAYMOND GRUNDMEYER »
BRENT ADAMS »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
EUSTAQUIO ABAY, KRIS LEWONOWSKI, BERNARD POOLE, ROBERT EYSTER, JONATHAN MORGAN, JAMES WEIMAR, STEVEN ERICKSEN, NAZIH MOUFARRIJ
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Lumbar Spinal Fusion, Anterior Column, Posterior Approach
Fusing two or more vertebrae in the lower back; performed on the front of the spine, incision in the back (ICD-9-CM code 81.08)
The fusing of two or more vertebrae in the lower back, performed on the front portion of the spine. One of the most common reasons is the narrowing of the space between the vertebrae, which puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves, causing pain. It can also be done because of disc degeneration or a condition where one bone in the back slides forward over the bone below it. More information
MATTHEW HENRY »
CHRISTIAN LOTHES »
KRIS LEWONOWSKI »
MICHAEL CHANG »
JAMES WEIMAR »
JOHN DICKERSON »
MARK WHITAKER »
JOHN GORECKI »
ALAN MOSKOWITZ »
RAYMOND GRUNDMEYER »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
BERNARD POOLE, CHARLES PENCE, JONATHAN MORGAN, STEVEN ERICKSEN, BRENT LANCASTER
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Prostate Removal
Radical prostatectomy (ICD-9-CM code 60.5)
The removal of the entire prostate gland via the open or laparoscopic or robotic method. Usually performed to treat prostate cancer. More information
AYHAM FARHA »
FADI JOUDI »
WILLIAM MCDONOUGH »
JOSEPH AKORNOR »
GEORGE ZAKHARIA »
RICHARD STEINBERGER »
SANFORD FITZIG »
GREGORY BYRD »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
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Prostate Resection
Other transurethral prostatectomy (ICD-9-CM code 60.29)
The resection and removal of a portion of the prostate through the urethra. This is most commonly done because of an enlarged prostate that may be restricting the flow of urine. More information
JAMES GILBAUGH »
GEORGE ZAKHARIA »
SANFORD FITZIG »
WILLIAM MCDONOUGH »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
RICHARD STEINBERGER, GERALD ALBERT, CLAY LYDDANE, BIBIANO OUANO, DAVID BACKES, STEVEN LAWTON, AYHAM FARHA
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Cervical (Neck) Spinal Fusion
Other cervical fusion of the anterior column, anterior technique (ICD-9-CM code 81.02)
The fusing of two or more vertebrae of the neck, using orthopedic devices to hold them in place. Age-related breakdown or displacement of the spinal discs in the neck. More information
RAYMOND GRUNDMEYER »
JOHN DICKERSON »
MARK WHITAKER »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
JOHN GORECKI, EUSTAQUIO ABAY, KRIS LEWONOWSKI, RODNEY SAMUELSON, BRENT ADAMS, CHRISTIAN LOTHES, JONATHAN MORGAN, JAMES WEIMAR, MICHAEL CHANG, STEVEN ERICKSEN, NAZIH MOUFARRIJ
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