Cloud Surgical Solutions Press Release

Local Surgical Practice Embracing Healthcare Change

Morganton - Anyone driving past Grace or Valdese Hospitals can't help but notice the physical changes underway - expansion, growth, and more advanced medical services available in our community.

Changes in the physical environment of the hospital also mirror changes in the services offered by physician practices in the area. The ability to offer more sophisticated types of diagnosis and treatment has been increasing rapidly. A permanent cardiac catheterization lab was established in 2004 at Grace Hospital and the ability to treat patients with vascular diseases with surgery and catheter intervention is on the way. Those with severe respiratory illnesses, such as lung cancer, now have first-rate diagnosis and treatment options available close to home with the addition of the physicians and staff of Carolina Pulmonary & Comprehensive Sleep Center, a practice specializing in pulmonary disease complete with a sleep disorder lab.

It is this recent progress that reflects a growing commitment and ability to care for patients with more serious illnesses locally in Burke County. Dr. William Cloud, a general surgeon in Morganton opened his practice, Cloud Surgical Solutions, in 2001. With the recent addition of Dr. David Ellertson, Jr., a cardiothoracic surgeon, in the summer of 2005, Cloud Surgical Solutions has become the most comprehensive surgical practice in Burke and McDowell Counties. The practice provides general and laparoscopic, endocrine, vascular, cancer and thoracic surgical services for their patients. "This is a particularly exciting time to be practicing medicine in this area because of the changes taking place within the physician practices and the hospital right now," explains Dr. Cloud. "Blue Ridge Healthcare through its Grace and Valdese Hospitals have been very supportive in helping create a progressive environment with excellent nursing, the acquisition of new technology, and the committed technicians working side by side with doctors that make this an attractive place for new physicians with all types of interests and skills."

With the arrival of Dr. Ellertson, and pulmonary medicine specialists, Dr. Syed Malik and Dr. James Abraham, patients with sever lung disorders, including lung cancer, requiring specialized care and surgical expertise are treated in Burke County and no longer have to travel to distant cities for specialized care. The family physicians and cardiologists at Grace and Valdese Hospitals have always provided excellent care for those with cardiovascular diseases. With Dr. Ellertson's training in the surgical treatment of blood vessel aneurysms, surgical prevention of strokes in the carotid circulation, and treatment of other peripheral vascular conditions, there is now an extension of techniques to treat circulation disorders beyond what has been available locally in the past.

Laparoscopic surgical treatment of colon cancer is locally available, as well as many other advanced laparoscopic surgical procedures for other medical conditions. The medical oncology program has expanded and radiation therapy has been upgraded at Valdese Hospital. Other complex surgical treatments of abdominal cancers such as esophagus, stomach and pancreas have also been well established. Since 2002, patients diagnosed with breast cancer have benefited from new surgical techniques such as Sentinel Node Biopsy, a less invasive surgical procedure used in staging breast cancer by removing only a few lymph nodes which results in less pain and chronic swelling of the arm for patients. This procedure is available to at both Grace and Valdese Hospitals. In addition, MammoSite Radiation Therapy is now available for patients with early stage breast cancer, reducing the length of radiation treatments from 6 weeks to only 1 week. Currently, Dr. Cloud of Cloud Surgical Solutions is the only surgeon in Burke and McDowell Counties trained in this advanced breast conservation procedure.

Dr. Ellertson recently completed additional training Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy. This method of therapy is used in treating patients with depression and for those who suffer from epilepsy by reducing the number, length and severity of seizures. Therapy works by surgically inserting a pulse generator that sends mild electrical stimulation to the vagus nerve in the left side of the neck. The pulse helps to regulate the production of chemicals that cause depression and epileptic seizures.

Both, Dr. Ellertson and Dr. Cloud are committed to providing information through free community health educational programs at their office on many common health issues affecting people in Burke County and nearby areas. Some of the topics include: colorectal cancer, hernia repair, lung cancer, breast cancer, thyroid disease, and more. A complete comprehensive list is available on their website at www.CloudSurgicalSolutions.com or by contacting their office at 437-0847.

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