“Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his hometown. Luke 4:24
It was 35 years ago, in 1983, when visionary orthopedic surgeon W. Ben Kibler, MD, conceptualized The Shoulder Center of Kentucky as a facility dedicated to comprehensive shoulder repair and rehabilitation. Ten years later, in 1993, The Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass was founded by legendary Central Kentucky anesthesiologist Ballard D. Wright, MD. On their website, The Pain Treatment Center states that it “provides a multidisciplinary approach to quality and cost-effective health care for the acute and chronic pain patient in an atmosphere of social concern and scholarly inquiry.”
Both Centers are still in operation, evolving, growing, teaching, and treating patients. Contrary to Luke’s words, The Shoulder Center of Kentucky and The Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass are “accepted in their hometown,” as they have treated thousands of patients over their combined 60 years of practice.
Our cover story in this issue brings you up to date on the orthopedic surgeons who are now part of Kibler’s team at The Shoulder Center. We also profile Rick Pellant, DO, and Jason Goumas, PT, from The Pain Treatment Center of the Bluegrass who are developing a rehabilitation department that addresses acute and chronic pain according to Wright’s mission. Additionally, in this issue we spoke to orthopedic surgeons David Waespe, MD, Jay Shah, MD, Henry Iwinski, MD, and Jan Veloso, DPM.
Harvesting the Bluegrass
Recently I learned about a private/nonprofit partnership and project that I believe deserves applause. It’s called “Bluegrass Harvest,” a joint effort between nonprofit Community Ventures and Passport Health Plan, a Medicaid insurance provider. The project provides, at no cost to the recipients, 20 weeks of local, organically grown, fresh produce from a Central Kentucky farm to residents of Lexington’s East End. Also included is education on healthy eating habits, cooking, exercise, nutrition, and diets.
Jessica Morgan, Community Ventures director of marketing and public relations, told me that there are 70 families participating in Bluegrass Harvest this summer, and weekly pick up of their produce is near 100%. They hope to continue the project next year and possibly expand to other “food desert” markets. I am a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) member and receive my weekly share of organically grown produce from Elmwood Stock Farm in Georgetown. I’ve long felt that becoming a CSA member was the best thing I’ve done for myself and my family’s food health. Thanks to Bluegrass Harvest, more Kentuckians are getting the nutrition they need for a healthier life.
Feel free to contact me if you have a story idea. We like to share.
All the best.Gil DunnPublisher
SEND YOUR LETTERS TO THE EDITOR TO: Gil Dunn, Publisher………….gdunn@md-update.com, or 859.309.0720 phone and fax