Inova Fairfax Hospital Physician Awarded Medal of Honor by the Dominican Republic
January 16, 2008
Brain Aneurysm Specialist Honored for Treating Indigent Patients and Helping Establish Interventional Neuroradiology Program
Falls Church, VA— Christopher Putman, MD, interventional neuroradiologist, Inova Fairfax Hospital, was enlisted in 2000 by a fellow physician to travel to Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic to treat a woman with a severe cerebral condition. What started as a one-time visit turned into a mission for Dr. Putman. During that first trip, he treated five other individuals with cerebral aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations (congenital defects of the circulatory system), and by doing so, performed the first interventional neuroradiology procedures in the Dominican Republic.
Since 2000, Dr. Putman has returned every year to Santo Domingo to treat patients with limited resources who suffer from cerebral conditions, and to help train new doctors in order to help establish an interventional neuroradiology program in the Dominican Republic. On December 13, 2007, the Public Health Minister of the Dominican Republic, Bautista Rojas Gomez, awarded Dr. Putman the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sanchez and Mella for his work. This medal is given to both civilians and military personnel for distinguished service.
“I knew after my very first trip to Santo Domingo that I would return,” said Dr. Putman. “I greatly appreciate the honor, and I consider it a privilege to be a part of this program.”
Dr. Putman works through the Juan M. Taveras Foundation, a charitable organization that was established to treat people who cannot afford medical care, and that supports the local hospital known as CEDIMAT, the center for Diagnosis, Advanced Medicine and Telemedicine. Dr. Putman makes three trips a year and sees 10 to 15 patients during each trip, most of whom are in the advanced stages of their diseases.
“Every case is a challenge, but the working environment has improved greatly since 2000. You never knew if you would have air conditioning, or even if you would have electricity throughout a procedure. There were times when we would have to stop in the middle of a procedure, wait a few minutes for the power to return, and then continue. Now the hospital has a generator, so there are fewer blackouts.”
Besides the Foundation, Dr. Putman also credits American hospitals, including Inova Fairfax Hospital, for helping to build the country’s interventional neuroradiology program through donations of much-needed equipment and supplies. In addition, Inova Health System has welcomed physicians from the Dominican Republic to its hospitals in Northern Virginia to learn about new techniques and technology.
“The people of the Dominican Republic are very warm and welcoming. Some of the patients are basically told there is no hope for them, so when we’re able to help it’s an incredibly rewarding experience.”
Interventional neuroradiology is a growing subspecialty that uses minimally invasive techniques to treat vascular diseases of the brain and spine. The treatment strategies involve the use of catheters and often eliminate the need for open surgery.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Contact:
Che Parker
703-321-2559
Jeanne Mayer
703- 321-2918
Kimberly Gibbs
703-504-3438
