Top Doctors: The Surgeons

The best in 16 specialties.

For anyone who’s been faced with the prospect of surgery—be it a minor outpatient procedure or something more critical and complex—the buildup to the big day can be unnerving at best, terrifying at worst. It helps to know you’re in good hands—the best, preferably. So, in our quest for the best, we went right to the source, polling hundreds of physicians in the area’s health systems to find out the surgeons they trust in 16 specialties. Those who received the most votes are profiled here. For the other winners, click here.

Photo by Shane McCauleyDermatological Surgery

Dr. Lynn M. Klein
Lankenau Hospital, 100 Lancaster Ave.,
Suite 461 East, Wynnewood; (610) 642-2570,
lynnkleinmd.net

Years in practice: 15.
Education: Medical College of Pennsylvania.
Residency: New York University Medical Center.
Areas of interest: Skin cancer; pediatric, medical, surgical, laser and cosmetic dermatology.
What she enjoys most about her specialty: Finding and treating life-threatening forms of skin cancer; improving a person’s appearance and restoring their self-confidence.
Why she chose her specialty: I have a graduate degree in medical illustration. My artistic skills make dermatology—one of the most visual medical fields—a natural choice for me.
Most exciting advancements: Cosmetic dermatology is advancing quickly, with many new laser and surgical techniques that promise improved appearance, fewer side effects and a shorter recovery time.
What makes a top surgeon: Excellent training, extensive experience, artistic skill, the ability to listen to the patient, and being compassionate and service oriented.
 

- Advertisement -

Colon and Rectal Surgery

Dr. Kenneth Boyd
Colon and Rectal Surgery, Ltd., 1088 W. Baltimore Pike, Riddle Health Care Center II, Suite 2101, Media, (610) 565-3435

Years in practice: 22.
Education: Medical College of Wisconsin.
Residency: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center.
Areas of interest: Colon and rectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, management of colorectal polyps.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: The wide range of conditions, from simple, benign problems to life-threatening illness; the full spectrum of disease management strategies, ranging from simple office treatment to major, complex surgical procedures.
Most exciting advancements: More effective, less invasive methods to determine the earliest development of colorectal cancer and pre-cancerous polyps using methods based on cellular biology.
What makes a top surgeon: Technical competency over the full range of operative procedures; a patient-friendly bedside manner; and full knowledge of treatment options, empowering patients to take an active role in decisions about their care.
 

Continued on page 2 …
 

Photo by Shane McCauleyUrological Surgery

Dr. Vance Moss
HAN Urologic Associates, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, One Medical Center Blvd., Professional Office Building 1, Suite 102, Upland, (610) 874-6580

Years in practice: 3.
Education: Temple University Medical School.
Residency: New York Medical College.
Areas of interest: Urologic cancer, renal transplantation, BPH, stone disease, sexual performance and dysfunction.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: The combination of engaging in medical and surgical aspects of urology and transplantation.
Most exciting advancements: I believe the concept of performing surgery on the prostate for cancer will be phased out in the next 10 years due to the precise radiologic modalities being engineered for now and in the future.
Achievements he’s most proud of: My philanthropic work in Afghanistan and Iraq, and volunteering for operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
What makes a top surgeon: The ability to educate and help others above and beyond their immediate community. Top surgeons overcome the odds with dignity and honor. They’re aware of the microscope they’re under, and have the composure to meet the standards the community and patients deserve and require.
 

Photo by Shane McCauleySurgical Oncology

Dr. Frank D’Elia
Associates in Urology, 100 Granite Drive, Media; (610) 565-2776, paurology.com

- Partner Content -

Years in practice: 24.
Education: University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Residency: Rutgers University, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Areas of interest: Abnormal prostate-specific antigen tests (PSA), bladder cancers, prostate cancer—especially recurrent disease or difficult cases.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: Taking people with a cancer, treating them, and returning them to their families and livelihood, then following them over the decades and learning about their families and lives.
Why he chose his specialty: My mother lost a kidney during surgery that was relatively simple. I determined that I would take twice as much training as needed so I could be the very best.
Most exciting advancements: Gene therapy for cancers, and treatment of prostate cancer with ultrasound.
Achievement he’s most proud of: Helping to train new urologists at Thomas Jefferson University.
What makes a top surgeon: [One who never forgets that] it’s the patients who take the risks, and we work for them. It’s our job to educate patients so they are active participants in their choice of treatments.
 

Continued on page 3 …
 

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dr. Karl Grunewald
Crozer ACP, One Medical Center Blvd.,
Suite 233, Upland, (610) 619-8477

Years in practice: 20.
Education: Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
Residency: Medical Center of Delaware, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Areas of interest: Arterial conduit revascularization of the heart, mitral valve repair, lung resection using the video thoracoscope.
Most exciting advancements: Robotic surgery that won’t simply duplicate what’s currently technically possible, but improve on the precision.
Achievement he’s most proud of: Continuing to advance the practice of thoracic surgery without the overly enthusiastic adoption of marginal ideas.
What makes a top surgeon: Relentless attention to detail—in and out of the operating room—and persistent clinical honesty.
 

Photo by Shane McCauleyAbdominal Surgery

Dr. Anthony Coletta
Surgical Specialists, 830 Old Lancaster Road, Medical Bldg. North, Suite 306, Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-1185, surspc.com

Years in practice: 23.
Education: Jefferson Medical College.
Residency: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Areas of interest: Minimally invasive surgery, hernia surgery, colonoscopy, thyroid and parathyroid surgeries.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: That I can take care of most surgical problems I encounter in patients. If they have problems outside my expertise, I can refer them to the finest surgeons in the region.
Why he chose his specialty: My father and Dr. Bill Stainbach, the father of general surgery at Bryn Mawr Hospital, are the two people who inspired me.
Most exciting advancements: Robotic surgery, virtual colonoscopy, and less invasive ways to diagnose and treat patients.
Achievement he’s most proud of: I’m a pioneer in laparoscopic surgery and one of the first in the country to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
 

- Advertisement -
Continued on page 4 …
 

Photo by Shane McCauleyVascular Surgery

Dr. Alexander Uribe
Main Line HealthCare, Main Line Surgeons, 275 Lankenau Medical Science Building, 100 Lancaster Ave., Wynnewood, (610) 642-1908

Years in practice: 23.
Education: Universidad Javeriana, Bogata, Colombia.
Residency: Lankenau Hospital.
Areas of interest: Vascular surgery, including diagnosis of vascular disease, open and endovascular procedures of the extracranial carotid system, and treatment of all extracranial aneurysmal disease, peripheral vascular occlusive disease, venous disease and lymphatic disease; open and endovascular repair of aneurysms of all types.
Why he chose his specialty: I’ve had several mentors who showed me the challenges of vascular surgery.
Most exciting advancements: The rapid growth of endovascular techniques. Whether for carotid procedures, aneurysmal disease or peripheral disease, they’ve paved the way for us to treat patients in a minimally invasive fashion.
 

Hand Surgery

Dr. William Kirkpatrick
Hand Surgical Associates, Bryn Mawr Hospital Health Center, 27 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr; 3855 West Chester Pike, Suite 340, Newtown Square; Devon Manor, 235 W. Lancaster Ave., Suite 100, Devon; (610) 527-9000, orthspec.com

Years in practice: 20.
Education: University of Cincinnati School of Medicine.
Residency: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Areas of interest: Arthritis (degenerative and rheumatoid) of the hand and wrist, nerve disorders (carpal tunnel syndrome), wrist reconstruction, work injuries.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: Helping patients recover function.
Most exciting advancements: Nerve transfers for upper-extremity reconstruction, fracture fixation techniques, and joint replacement.
New techniques he’s implemented in his practice: New procedures for nerve repair and reconstruction, internal fixation for fractures, and tendon repair and reconstruction.
 

Continued on page 5 …
 

Photo by Shane McCauleyHead & Neck Surgery

Dr.  Kenneth Briskin
Providence Ear, Nose & Throat Associates, 1088 W. Baltimore Pike, Outpatient Pavilion, Suite 3406, Media; 300 Evergreen Drive, Suite 100, Glen Mills; (610) 566-4100

Years in practice: 13.
Education: University of Michigan Medical School.
Residency: UCLA School of Medicine.
Areas of interest: Sinus, thyroid and parotid gland disorders.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: As an otolaryngologist, I can diagnose and treat a wide variety of important medical and surgical conditions in patients of all ages.
Most exciting advancements: We’re seeing tremendous advances in digital and implantable hearing aids. Sleep disorders and snoring are being successfully treated with new laser treatments. For surgery on the thyroid and parathyroid glands, we’re now using minimally invasive techniques.
What makes a top surgeon: Ear, nose and throat disorders are complex, varied, and often require great skill and expertise to treat—especially when surgery is required. A surgeon in our specialty must have top-notch training and experience.
 

Photo by Shane McCauleyFoot & Ankle Surgery

Dr. Joseph Eremus
Orthopedic Specialists, 27 S. Bryn Mawr Ave., Bryn Mawr; (610) 527-2727, orthspec.com

Years in practice: 31.
Education: Temple University School of Medicine.
Residency: Temple University Hospital.
Areas of interest: Treatment of injuries and degeneration of the foot and ankle.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: Whether it’s repairing a severely deformed foot, a badly broken ankle or a simple bunion, it’s all about helping people be as active as they want to be.
What inspired him to choose his specialty: Dr. Joseph Torg, an orthopedic surgeon at Temple, who introduced the specialty to my first-year med class; my active-duty internship at the (then) Valley Forge Military Hospital attending returning Vietnam soldiers; and Dr. John Lachman, who taught me the intricacies of “bone puzzles” presented by the often-neglected foot and ankle.
What makes a top surgeon: One who never forgets the importance of overall integrated medicine. While always offering the best principles of my specialty, I want my patients to know that I care about them as I care for them.
 

Continued on page 6 …
 

Podiatric Surgery

Dr. Frank Adamo
Delaware County Foot & Ankle Center, 550 MacDade Blvd., Folsom, (610) 534-7990

Years in practice: 7.
Education: Temple University School of Medicine.
Residency: Graduate Hospital.
Areas of interest: Pediatric flatfoot reconstruction, diabetic limb salvage, ankle arthroscopy and sports medicine.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: Treating patients and having those patients return to have me treat their children and family members.
Why he chose his specialty: A childhood injury introduced me to podiatric medicine.
Most exciting advancements: Dependable ankle joint replacement technology, and bio-implantable bone and tissue substitutes.
What makes a top surgeon: A physician who stays on top of current treatment modalities and new surgical techniques. You have to be able to treat challenging cases with both surgical and conservative options while doing what’s in the best interest of patients and their families.
 

Photo by Shane McCauleyGynecological Surgery

Dr. Joel Noumoff
Crozer Regional Cancer Center, One Medical Center Blvd., Vivacqua Pavilion, Suite 441, Upland; (610) 876-9640, crozer.org

Years in practice: 29.
Education: New York University School of Medicine.
Residency: Bellevue Hospital Center.
Areas of interest: In addition to my clinical practice, I have a basic science laboratory studying the genetic aspects of gynecologic tumors.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: No two patients are alike. They may have the same cancer-cell type and stage, yet they must be treated differently due to age, medical condition and personal needs.
Why he chose his specialty: Perhaps most inspirational is the realization that you’re helping and guiding not just an individual but also her entire family through a most trying time.
Achievements he’s most proud of: Some of my proudest moments are when I receive telephone calls from former residents I’ve trained, asking for advice on the management of a particularly challenging clinical case or calling to express their gratitude for having taught them a surgical technique they were able to utilize.
 

Continued on page 7 …
 

Photo by Shane McCauleyOrthopedic Surgery (General)

Dr. Peter Sharkey
Rothman Institute, 925 Chestnut St., 5th Floor, Philadelphia; 1098 W. Baltimore Pike, Suite 3109, Media; 170 N. Henderson Road, King of Prussia; (800) 321-9999, rothmaninstitute.com

Years in practice: 18.
Education: SUNY Upstate Medical University at Syracuse.
Residency: Thomas Jefferson University Hospital.
Areas of interest: Hip and knee replacement.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: Hip and knee replacement are two of the best operations ever developed for relieving pain and restoring function. I really enjoy seeing the wonderful postoperative results.
Why he chose his specialty: Dr. Dick Rothman was my residency chairman and inspired me to become an expert in hip and knee replacement.
Most exciting advancements: New implants that allow a replaced knee to function more like the natural knee.
What makes a top surgeon: You must focus on a specific problem and treat a very large number of patients with this problem to become a true expert.
 

Orthopedic Surgery (Spine)

Dr. Gerard Foti
Premier Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Associates One Medical Center Blvd., Suite 320, Upland; (610) 876-0347, premierortho.com

Years in practice: 6.
Education: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Residency: Memorial Hospital (York).
Areas of interest: Spinal disease and disorders.
Why he chose his specialty: Seeing the spine, it was love at first sight.
Most exciting advancements: The possibility that fusions and disc arthroplasty might be replaced by disc regeneration.
Achievement he’s most proud of: I’m most proud of seeing people go back to their lives with reduced pain, giving them a chance to return to a more normal state of affairs.
New techniques he’s implemented in his practice: I’m the first surgeon to perform cervical disc arthroplasty in Delaware County. I’ve also incorporated newer minimally invasive fusion techniques.
 

Continued on page 8 …
 

Neurosurgery

Dr. Andrew Freese
Brandywine Valley Neurosurgery & Spine, 213 Reeceville Road, Suite 33, Coatesville; (610) 384-0482, pa-spine.com

Years in practice: 18.
Education: Harvard Medical School.
Residency: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Areas of interest: Spine disorders, disk herniations, back and neck pain, spine injuries, degener-ative disease, spinal tumors, infections, fractures, brain disorders, brain tumors, neurometabolic disorders.
What he enjoys most about his specialty: Helping patients with pain or neurologic deficits return to productive, happy lives.
Why he chose his specialty: I love working with my hands and helping people, and I’m fascinated by the nervous system.
Achievement he’s most proud of: Establishing the first human gene therapy trial in children with a fatal neurological disease, and watching them survive and improve.
What makes a top surgeon: Placing the welfare of patients first and never cutting corners, always providing the least invasive options before surgery, constantly reading and educating yourself, and making patients feel as though they’re members of your family.
 

Orthopedic Surgery (Sports Medicine)

Dr. David Rubenstein
Main Line Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, 100 E. Lancaster Ave., Suite 650, Wynnewood, (610) 649-8055

Years in practice: 17.
Education: Temple University School of Medicine.
Residency: Albert Einstein Medical Center.
Areas of interest: Shoulder, knee and elbow arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction.
Why he chose his specialty: Sustaining athletic injuries in college.
Most exciting advancements: The prevention of arthritis with minimally invasive techniques that may render joint replacement obsolete.
Professional achievements he’s most proud of: Head of sports med-icine at Lankenau Hospital, head team physician for the Philadelphia Soul, head sports physician for the Haverford School, Shipley School and Friends Central School, associate director of the Thomas Jefferson University Sports Medicine Fellowship, and instructor for medical students and residents at Jefferson and PCOM.
What makes a top surgeon: The ability to confidently and safely perform hi-tech surgical procedures, and the wisdom to know when non-operative care is the better choice.
 

Main Line Today Restaurant Week runs October 13-26!