MDNews - Cleveland-Akron-Canton

PHOTO © SMITHBERGER PHOTOGRAPHY, NORTH CANTON the last seven or eight years, including the merger of Doctors Hospital with Massillon Community Hospital in 2006 and the consolidation to the Massillon campus in 2008, followed by the hospital's name change to Affinity. That was after the hospital joined Community Health Systems (CHS), a change he describes as "very good." Since then, Affinity Medical Center has grown in stature, census and size. Dr. Meshekow attributes this to the loyalty of the physician staff and the support of CHS, which has made significant investments in the hospital's programs and facilities. These include an open-heart surgery program, a new orthopedic and spine center, an electronic medical records system and, most recently, a multimillion dollar expansion of the Emergency Department (ED) and cardiac catheterization lab. The expansion, which was completed in July, added 15,000 square feet and eight exam rooms (there are now 24) to Affinity's ED, enabling the hospital to treat an additional 10,000-plus (up to 38,000) patients per year. It also expanded the number of cath labs from two to three and connected them to the ED via a dedicated elevator to expedite access; enlarged the waiting area for both the ED and cath lab; and created new pre-op and post-op bay areas. "We had a significant increase in the number of cardiac cath procedures and a sizeable increase in the number of open-heart surgeries just in the past year, so this expansion was needed to meet the needs of the community," Dr. Meshekow explains. "We've also had a substantial growth in our orthopedic services since we opened our new spine and joint center in 2011." Through it all, Dr. Meshekow has been thoroughly involved, holding numerous leadership positions. This year, in addition to Chairman of the Board, he is Affinity's Medical Staff President, Residency Program Director for General Surgery, and Medical Director of Trauma Services. Resident teacher is one of Dr. Meshekow's favorite roles. A regional teaching center for Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine (OU-COM), Affinity offers residencies in family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, orthopedic surgery and emergency medicine. The General Surgery Residency Program was initiated in 1981 by Dr. Meshekow and his longtime Perryhill Surgeons partner Charles Conklin, DO. It is approved for six residents by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons (ACOS). "We've graduated about 20 residents over the years," says Dr. Meshekow, who was named Master, Clinical Faculty by OU-COM in 1990. "They are located from Michigan to Florida and from Missouri to Philadelphia. Some have served in the U.S. armed forces in Korea and Iraq. One accompanied me on a mission trip to Mexico earlier this year. So I think that's a nice legacy — that we've been able to contribute to the next generation of surgeons." In addition to physician education, Dr. Meshekow is involved in patient education programs at Affinity. He's also very involved in patient advocacy programs at the local, state and national levels and has served in more than 35 different AOA and ACOS leadership roles, including president of the ACOS. Dr. Meshekow firmly believes doctors should join and become involved in professional associations and specialty colleges committed to their profession, so they have a strong voice in how medicine is practiced. "I don't really believe politicians should be making healthcare policies," he says. "I think that it's up to the doctors to let their elected officials know what their beliefs are in regard to the current healthcare system and the changes that are being planned." He also thinks more doctors should join political action committees (PACs) to advocate not only for physicians, but also for patients. "Especially for patients," he emphasizes. "The problems we see are because of lack of patient access to health care. Hopefully, that will improve with Obamacare, but we don't know that for sure. So we need to make sure our voices are heard." In the meantime, Dr. Meshekow continues to practice what he preaches. For 34 years, he has remained passionately loyal to his profession, hospital and patients' care. He has led by example, working hard to affect positive change in all three. "A lot has been done, but there's always more to do," he says. I Dr. Meshekow (R) and longtime colleague Charles R. Conklin, DO, came to Massillon together 34 years ago to join Perryhill Surgeons and Doctors Hospital, now known as Affinity Medical Center. SEPTEMBER- OCTOBER 2013 I MDNEWS.COM I MD NEWS Cleveland/Akron/Canton | 11

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