MDNews - Greater Kansas

With GI/MIS Expertise, J A R V I S WA LT E R S , D O , recent ly joined Surgical Specialists PA in Wichita after com- pleting an advanced gastrointestinal/minimally invasive surger y fellowship at The George Washington University Medical Center and a major U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospital, the Washington DC VA Medical Center. "Surgical Specialists is thrilled to have landed such a talented and well-rounded surgeon," says Bridget Kirk, Practice Manager. "Our patients are important to us, and we want to make sure we are offering the best care to them. Dr. Walters is a great addition to our team." Jerry G. Gaston, DO, heads up the practice. In the past three years, Surgical Specialists, located in northwest Wichita, has also welcomed Adam Misasi, MD, and Allison Harned, APRN, both of whom are native Wichitans. Three years after earning a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from his hometown univer- sity, The University of Oklahoma, Dr. Walters started medical school at the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine in Glendale, Arizona. He completed his general surgery residency at the Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix. "When I got into surgical residency, I knew that was what I was meant to be doing. I felt that was my calling," Dr. Walters says. Not surprising given his engineering background, he also found he liked the complex nature of doing minimally invasive surgery using robotics. But a primary reason he gravitated toward minimally invasive surgeries is because of the benefits it offers patients: smaller incisions, faster recovery time and even better accuracy rates. "I think minimally invasive surgery should always be the first approach, if it can be done safely," Dr. Walters says. His residency and fellowship provided him with opportunities to develop the skill set needed for doing minimally invasive procedures and surgeries, including for difficult cases, he says. At Maricopa Medical Center, Dr. Walters trained with two of the nation's premier robotics hernia specialists who handled complex cases. Shortly after Dr. Walters earned a fellowship to study with Fredrick Brody, MD, the Director of Minimally Invasive Surgery at The George Washington University, Dr. Brody was named Chief of Surgery for the Washington DC VA Medical Center. That appointment provided Dr. Walters with an opportunity to work at two major medical centers in the nation's capital. With extended family in the Hutchinson, Kansas, area, and with his wife and him having been raised in Oklahoma, Dr. Walters welcomed the opportunity to return to the Midwest to begin medical practice and raise their three children, he says. For more information, visit sspaonline.com. n Jarvis Walters, DO, at a Glance JA RV IS WA LTER S, DO, recently joined Surgical Specialists PA in Wichita. His area of spe- cialty is gastrointestinal conditions and minimally invasive surgeries. Medical education: + Fellowship in advanced GI/ MIS, The George Washington University Medical Center and Washington DC VA Medical Center, August 2018–July 2019 + General surgery residency, Maricopa Medical Center in Phoenix, June 2013– June 2018 + Medical degree, Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine, August 2009–May 2013 About Surgical Specialists SURGICA L SPECIA LISTS PA was originally founded in 1981 as a solo practice by John P. Smith, DO, who now holds emeritus status. In 1994, Jerry G. Gaston, DO, joined the practice and it was renamed Surgical Specialists. The practice has expanded with the addition of three medical staff in the past three years: Adam Misasi, MD, in 2016, Allison Harned, APRN, in 2018 and now Jarvis Walters, DO. The practice is located in northwest Wichita at 4013 N. Ridge Road, Suite 210. Jarvis Walters, DO, Joins Surgical Specialists BY AMY GEISZLER-JONES IT MAKES SENSE THAT A FORMER ENGINEER WOULD FIND ROBOTICS SURGERY FA SCINATING. Jarvis Walters, DO; Jerry G. Gaston, DO; Allison Harned, APRN; Adam Misasi, MD 0 6

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