By: TPMG
TPMG is proud to announce the expansion of the Orthopedics division with the addition of fellowship trained spine surgeon, Shane M. McGowan, MD, in September 2019. This marks an exciting growth period for the Orthopedics division, as service offerings recently expanded with the joining of fellowship trained hand surgeon, Nicholas Smerlis, MD, FAAOS, CAQSH, in June 2019.
Shane M. McGowan, MD
Dr. McGowan earned his medical degree from Stony Brook University in New York and completed residency training at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He completed an orthopedic spine fellowship at the University of Maryland Medical Center/Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore; recognized as one of the top spine fellowship programs in the country.
Dr. McGowan utilizes various surgical techniques including open and minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, decompression, and spinal fusion. His special interests include the correction of spinal deformities and treatment of arm and leg pain/numbness resulting from compression of the spinal cord.
The TPMG Orthopedics division provides comprehensive orthopedic care with specialists in orthopedics surgery, adult joint reconstruction, joint replacement, foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, surgical and non-surgical spine care, and hand surgery.
As part of the spine team at TPMG Orthopedics, Dr. McGowan will work alongside board certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Moore, a former spine surgeon with more than 25 years of experience, who now devotes his practice to the evaluation and management of patients with non-surgical spinal related problems. Read more
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Common Hand and Wrist Conditions That May Require Surgery
/in Recent News /by Madison BambiniBy: Madison Bambini
Published: October 10, 2019
It’s no secret that for most of us, our hands and wrists are some of the most used parts of our bodies. Our hands help us cook meals, perform jobs, and even make music and art. When our hands and wrists start to fail us, it can be debilitating. However, a specially trained surgeon can help you find relief. Below are some of the most common conditions that may require hand surgery explained: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Trigger Finger, Basal Joint Arthritis, Ganglion Cysts, and trauma to the hands and wrists. Read more
TPMG Imaging Offers Saturday Screening Mammogram Appointments on October 19, 2019
/in Recent News /by MeganNewport News, VA, September 27, 2019 – TPMG Imaging and Breast Centers in Newport News, Williamsburg, and Hampton will offer screening mammogram appointments on Saturday, October 19, 2019, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Read more
Injury Prevention Tips and Treatment for the Weekend Warrior
/in Recent News /by MeganBy: Meg Irish
Posted: September 19, 2019
Not all of us are seasoned athletes, training consistently day in and day out because let’s face it, we have busy schedules to keep. For those of us who find other ways to sneak in exercise, we typically fall in the category of a weekend warrior, picking up a game of basketball with friends or participating in a weekend 5K. This category doesn’t necessarily mean you cram exercise in only on the weekend. It refers to a person who participates in physically strenuous activity only a few days of the week, rather than spreading it out evenly throughout the week. Read more
What You Need to Know About Hypertension
/in Recent News /by MeganBy: Meg Irish
According to the American Heart Association, more than 100 million Americans have hypertension, also known as high blood pressure. Hypertension puts you at greater risk for various cardiovascular diseases including heart disease, stroke, and sometimes death. High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels is consistently high. This contributes to hardening of the arteries because the heart is continuously working harder to pump blood around the body.
According to TPMG Osteopathic Family Medicine Physician, Matthew D. Fenlason, DO, “Hypertension is the most common condition treated by primary care physicians and is responsible for the greatest number of chronic prescriptions.”
Blood Pressure Guidelines (American Heart Association)
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Taking Treatment Into Your Own Hands – The McKenzie Method
/in Recent News /by MeganBy: Madison Bambini
If you’re suffering from an achy neck or back, leg or arm pain, numbness or tingling, you’re not alone. Have you been diagnosed with sciatica, sacroiliac joint pain, arthritis, or degenerative disc disease? Would you like to know how to alleviate your pain? There are several treatment options available, but a globally recognized approach known as the McKenzie Method not only treats your pain but helps you prevent future flare-ups. Read more
Quick! Somebody Call a … Nurse Practitioner?
/in Recent News /by MeganBy: Meg Irish & Ashley Gesiewski
With all the different technical titles that exist within the field of medicine, it can be confusing for patients when choosing a physician. In particular, there tends to be a misunderstanding around the title of Nurse Practitioner (NP).
What is a nurse practitioner?
A nurse practitioner is an advance practice Registered Nurse. This means they were once a registered nurse and went back to school to broaden their scope of practice. Nurse practitioners can diagnose and treat illnesses and prescribe medications. According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), NPs work “autonomously and in collaboration with healthcare professionals and other individuals, to provide a full range of primary, acute and specialty health care services.” These clinicians are becoming an integral part of healthcare facilities as their experience working as a nurse gives them a unique approach to patient care. Read more
TPMG Adds Physicians in Williamsburg and Newport News
/in Recent News /by MeganLocal medical group, Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group (TPMG), a network of over 220 physicians and advanced practice clinicians in over 75 offices across the Tidewater area, is adding a variety of physicians to Williamsburg and Newport News.
The Orthopedics division is expanding with the addition of Shane McGowan, MD, and Nicholas A. Smerlis, MD, FAAOS, CAQSH, practicing in both Williamsburg and Newport News. Certified hand therapist, Kerry Bate, OT, CHT, joins both Physical Therapy locations in Williamsburg and Newport News. Joining well-established gastroenterologist, Richard J. Hartle, MD at Digestive Disease Center of Virginia is board certified gastroenterologist, Frances J. Jones, MD, FACG. Also joining in Williamsburg, osteopathic family medicine physician, Matthew D. Fenlason, DO, who will practice at Williamsburg Family Medicine. Read more
Placing a High Priority on Mammogram Screenings for Women
/in Recent News /by MeganSecond only to skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer found in women in the United States. One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime.
According to the American Cancer Society in 2019, an estimated 268,600 new cases of invasive breast cancer are expected to be diagnosed in women along with 62,930 new cases of non-invasive breast cancer. Most cases of breast cancer in women are found at 50 years of age or older; however, around 11 percent of new cases are found in women younger than 45 years of age.
There is currently no way to prevent breast cancer. The best option is to catch breast cancer early through screenings and exams. Furthermore, the earlier a patient is diagnosed, the more options they have available to them for minimally invasive treatment. Read more
What You Should Know About Celiac Disease
/in Recent News /by MeganBy: Meg Irish
Only a few years ago, if you requested “gluten-free” at a restaurant you received a blank stare. Today, one in five Americans choose a gluten-free lifestyle. Now you may ask yourself why eliminate foods like pastries, pasta, and bread out of your diet? Well, for some people this lifestyle is a choice, for those with celiac disease (CD), it is a necessity. Nearly one percent of the U.S. population is affected by CD, a severe condition that can lead to digestive problems and nutritional deficiencies.
What is Celiac Disease?
For someone with Celiac Disease, eating foods containing gluten produces an immune response that attacks the villi in the small intestine, which are used for the absorption of nutrients into the body.
CD is a serious autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) leads to damage of the small intestine. When an individual with this disease eats food containing gluten, their body produces an immune response that attacks the small intestine. These attacks lead to damage of the villi, small finger-like structures inside the small intestine used for the absorption of nutrients into the body.
“Like any organ, if the intestine is ‘sick,’ it cannot perform its job optimally, and many nutrients are not properly absorbed. The dysfunction is not a permanent issue; with a strict gluten-free diet the bowel will return to normal function,” said Jonathan D. Eisner, MD, FACG of TPMG Gastroenterology in Newport News. Read more
TPMG Orthopedics Division Expands with New Spine Surgeon
/in Recent News /by MeganBy: TPMG
TPMG is proud to announce the expansion of the Orthopedics division with the addition of fellowship trained spine surgeon, Shane M. McGowan, MD, in September 2019. This marks an exciting growth period for the Orthopedics division, as service offerings recently expanded with the joining of fellowship trained hand surgeon, Nicholas Smerlis, MD, FAAOS, CAQSH, in June 2019.
Shane M. McGowan, MD
Dr. McGowan earned his medical degree from Stony Brook University in New York and completed residency training at St. Luke’s University Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He completed an orthopedic spine fellowship at the University of Maryland Medical Center/Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore; recognized as one of the top spine fellowship programs in the country.
Dr. McGowan utilizes various surgical techniques including open and minimally invasive surgery, robotic surgery, decompression, and spinal fusion. His special interests include the correction of spinal deformities and treatment of arm and leg pain/numbness resulting from compression of the spinal cord.
The TPMG Orthopedics division provides comprehensive orthopedic care with specialists in orthopedics surgery, adult joint reconstruction, joint replacement, foot and ankle surgery, sports medicine, musculoskeletal medicine, surgical and non-surgical spine care, and hand surgery.
As part of the spine team at TPMG Orthopedics, Dr. McGowan will work alongside board certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Moore, a former spine surgeon with more than 25 years of experience, who now devotes his practice to the evaluation and management of patients with non-surgical spinal related problems. Read more