General Surgery
A general surgeon is a physician who has completed 4 years of college, 4 years of medical school, and then 5-6 years of rigorous residency.
The residency program has Board Certified surgeons who provide careful supervision of the "apprentices of surgery". These "attending surgeons" pass on their wisdom, experiences, and judgment. In addition, comprehensive reading of surgical textbooks is mandatory to learn the different operations and how to apply the most appropriate operation for the individual patient. Furthermore, extensive intensive care unit and trauma experience is required so that the surgeon can eloquently manage and resuscitate multiple organ failures.
DeKalb Clinic's general surgeons are Dr. Stephen Goldman, Dr. Roger Maillefer, Dr. Nitzet Velez, and Dr. Jack Wagoner. Call (815) 758-8671, ext. 3500 to schedule your next general surgery appointment.
DeKalb Clinic's Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons are Dr. David Cable and Dr. Thomas Carter
General Surgery services offered by DeKalb Clinic include:
Bariatrics — diagnosis, treatment, post-operative care of:
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Pain
- Fibrocystic Changes
- Nipple Discharge
Endocrine
- Pancreatic tumors
- Parathyroid tumors
- Thyroid disease (Goiters, Nodules, Cancer)
Gastrointestinal
- Appendicitis
- Bowel Obstruction
- Colon cancer
- Colon screening with sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy
- Diverticulitis
- Gallbladder Disease
- Reflux Disease - screening and minimally invasive surgery
Intensive Care / Trauma
- Falls, Car Accidents, Gun shots, ...
Skin
- Cancer
- Infected cysts
- Moles, Lipomas (Fat tumors)
Thoracic / Chest
- Bronchoscopy
- Lung cancer
- Punctured Lungs (Pneumothorax)
- Pleural effusions (Fluid around the lung)
Vascular Surgery
- Carotid Artery occlusions
- Femoral - Popliteal occlusions
Worker's Compensation
- Hand Injuries
- Lacerations
- Neck and Back Strain
Board Certification
After training has been completed, a surgeon is expected to be proficient in all of the above areas. Board Certification is a written examination (with a 30% failure rate) and an Oral Examination in front of 6 examiners (30% failure rate), prior to acquiring the distinction of being "Board Certified". (One third of this certification is trauma and Intensive Care.) These are taken during the first year after a General Surgical residency is completed. Re-certification is required every 10 years and 50 hours per year of continuing education classes is mandatory to maintain a license.
All the general surgeons at DeKalb Clinic have completed the above training requirements in the United States and are either Board Certified or Board Eligible. They are dedicated to maintaining their education of the most advanced and current standards of care in their areas of special interest.
