Monmouth Medical Center and Seaview Orthopaedics are partnering to participate in Operation Walk, a nationwide initiative that provides free joint replacements to uninsured patients in need, now in its 13th year. They will be among 25 orthopedic surgeons and 20 hospitals nationwide providing procedures this month as part of the program.
Since its inception, Operation Walk has provided free joint replacement surgeries for more than 860 patients without health insurance, with the value of these procedures exceeding $23 million.
“Many patients with advanced arthritis suffer from debilitating hip and knee pain. The daily activities we all take for granted, such as lifting a child or taking a walk, become physically challenging,” Dr. David Chalnick, medical director of MMC’s Joint Replacement Surgery Program and an orthopedic surgeon with Seaview Orthopaedics, said. “Joint replacement surgery can be life-changing, allowing patients to get back to their active lifestyles. Through Operation Walk, we wanted to help those without insurance who otherwise would not have the opportunity to get that new lease on life.”
MMC previously participated in Operation Walk in 2013 with Chalnick, who performed bilateral knee replacement surgery for a 48-year-old Morristown resident. In 2012, MMC was the only New Jersey hospital to participate in the initiative, with Chalnick performing life-altering hip replacement surgeries on a 58-year-old Toms River resident and 59-year-old Long Branch resident.
Orthopedic surgeons on staff at MMC and Seaview Orthopaedics will provide two procedures as part of this year’s Operation Walk program. Dr. Joel Fechisin will perform knee replacement surgery on a New York-based patient, with physical therapy services provided free of charge by JAG Physical Therapy to assist the patient in their recovery. Dr. Arthur Mark will perform a bilateral knee replacement on a Manalapan-based patient, with Seaview Orthopaedics providing free physical therapy services. Both surgeons are on staff at MMC and Seaview Orthopaedics. Zimmer Biomet will donate the implants for both procedures.
“Monmouth Medical Center is proud to once again participate in Operation Walk and offer these services at no charge as part of our efforts to give back to the communities we serve,” Eric Carney, CEO and president of MMC and Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, said. “We are grateful to our surgeons and our partners for their generosity this holiday season, providing two patients with the tremendous gift of renewed health and improved mobility.”
