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.
COVENANT MEDICAL CENTER
- 3615 19TH STREET, LUBBOCK, TEXAS, 79410, PHONE: 806-725-6000
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 
TONY SMITHERMAN »
JEFF HEADRICK »
STEPHEN CORD »
JOSEPH WILSON »
DAVID SHEPHARD »
HARRY HALL »
FREDERICK HENSAL »
BRETT SMITH »
ROBERT CARR »
JAMES BURKE »
JOHN SCOVELL »
ATUL JOSHI »
TRAVIS CASLER »
DILIP PAL »
KARL PANKRATZ »
ROBERT KING »
MARK SCIOLI »
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 20 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
JEFF HEADRICK »
JOSEPH WILSON »
ROBERT KING »
JAMES BURKE »
TONY SMITHERMAN »
ATUL JOSHI »
HARRY HALL »
MARK SCIOLI »
ROBERT CARR »
FREDERICK HENSAL »
DAVID SHEPHARD »
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 13 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
JOHN THOMAS »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
JOB BUSCHMAN, TURLAPATI RAO, ALFONSO BARRAGAN, SAMMY RIVAS, TED ALLEN, CATHERINE RONAGHAN, ELBERT THAMES, RICHARD ROSEN, THOMAS HOWE, CRAIG RHYNE, DERICK HAGGARD, MICHELINE HYACINTHE, BRIAN NORKIEWICZ, BHAGWAT MISRA, ELIAS GHANDOUR, ALLAN HAYNES
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
JOSEPH WILSON »
NEVAN BALDWIN »
ROBERT CARR »
RICHARD GEORGE »
MARK SCIOLI »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
GREGORY TOCZYL, ALBERT TELFEIAN, ROBERT LEVINTHAL, MARK D'ALISE
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.
Compare to other nearby hospitals performing this procedure »
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
JOSEPH MARTINEZ »
JOSEPH WILSON »
RICHARD GEORGE »
ALBERT TELFEIAN »
MARK SCIOLI »
NEVAN BALDWIN »
MARK D'ALISE »
ROBERT CARR »
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.
Compare to other nearby hospitals performing this procedure »
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
GIRISH VALLABHAN »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
JAMES KIRK, CARL BRITTON, OBIE STALCUP, BRIAN NICHOLSON, SCOTT SPORE, KANWALJIT MAHAL, REX REYNOLDS, JORGE BROTHERS
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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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
JORGE BROTHERS »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
JAMES KIRK, CARL BRITTON, OBIE STALCUP, BRIAN NICHOLSON, HOWARD BECK, KANWALJIT MAHAL, REX REYNOLDS, DAVID ARONOFF, MANOJ KHANDHERIA, KENNETH BENSON, GIRISH VALLABHAN
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, fewer than 11 resulted in complications.
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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
NEVAN BALDWIN »
RICHARD GEORGE »
The following surgeons perform this procedure less than 20 times in Medicare, lower than our threshold for display:
ALBERT TELFEIAN, JOSEPH WILSON, ROBERT CARR, JOSEPH MARTINEZ, MARK SCIOLI, MARK D'ALISE, HAROLD SMITH
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.
Compare to other nearby hospitals performing this procedure »