Press Releases

For Immediate Release: 10/24/2007

Workers’ Compensation Board Rules on Case Based on Dr. Alfred Bonati’s “superior qualifications and credible opinion”

PDF Printable Version:  Workers' Compensation Board Rules on Case Based on Dr. Alfred Bonati's "Superior Qualifications and Credible Opinion"

Hudson, FL – October 24, 2007 - The Bonati Institute, a leading center for advanced endoscopic laser spine surgery, today announced that a decision from the State of New York Workers’ Compensation Board ruled to support the recommendations of Alfred Bonati, M.D. based on his “superior qualifications and credible opinion.”

The claimant involved in the case, William Horrigan of Binghamton, New York, injured his cervical spine and shoulder in 1998 when he attempted to pull on a valve while working at a waste water plant. After being misdiagnosed by multiple doctors, receiving physical therapy, and experiencing surgery delays, Mr. Horrigan reported that his condition only got worse.

He spoke with a friend who attributed being pain free after his spine was treated utilizing The Bonati Procedures. The Bonati Procedures utilize specially designed instruments and methods developed and patented by Dr. Bonati. The Bonati Procedures are less invasive than “open” spine surgery and are the first surgical procedures to adapt arthroscopic surgical techniques to problems of the lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine, resulting in less trauma to the muscles and tissue. The Bonati Procedures are performed one level at a time to reduce the trauma to the spine and promote the healing process. The Procedures are gentle enough to require only local anesthesia, leaving the patient alert and able to communicate with the surgeon throughout the procedure. The less invasive nature of The Bonati Institute’s advanced arthroscopic surgery also qualifies The Bonati Procedures as outpatient surgeries. Outpatient surgeries do not require any costly overnight hospitalization. Dr. Bonati performed four surgeries on Mr. Horrigan between 2002 and 2005. Mr. Horrigan stated, “All the surgeries should have been completed in 2002. The Hartford Insurance Company, my employer’s insurance carrier, had a problem with me having surgery utilizing The Bonati Procedures. They wanted me to have surgery in the conventional manner, which would have meant general anesthesia, hospital confinement, a neck brace, scarring, swelling, and pain. For this reason only, my claim was not resolved in a timely manner.”

After the four surgeries, Mr. Horrigan continued with weakness of the right arm and right shoulder. In March 2006 Dr. Bonati recommended that Mr. Horrigan undergo an additional surgery. However, the insurance carrier for the employer argued that the shoulder surgery Dr. Bonati was recommending was not necessary.

At the Workers’ Compensation hearing involving Mr. Horrigan’s claim, Judge Kenneth Krigstein of the State of New York Workers’ Compensation Board stated, “ I have reviewed these objections and considered the carrier’s attorney’s arguments in connection therewith and find and conclude that they are entirely devoid of substantial merit.”

The Workers’ Compensation Board found “In light of Dr. Bonati’s superior qualifications and his credible opinion that the claimant would probably benefit from shoulder surgery, I find that it would be unfair and unjust to force this claimant to such poor function and find and conclude that the claimant has proven an entitlement to surgery authorization.”

Mr. Horrigan commented, “I am looking forward to having my surgery performed at The Bonati Institute. Dr. Bonati is an outstanding surgeon who is committed to his patients, his procedures and his profession. To see people arrive at the Clinic with pain on their faces and leave with a smile is truly a miracle. I will continue to recommend Dr. Bonati to everyone I know.”

The Bonati Institute

The Bonati Institute is a leading center for advanced endoscopic laser spine surgery is the culmination of years of innovation and dedication to helping people in pain. The medical complex occupies an 11-acre campus in Hudson, Florida, and includes The Institute’s Diagnostic and Clinical Services Center, Surgical Center, Neurology Center, Pain Management Center, Physical Therapy Center and Imaging Center. “ Bonati,” “The Bonati Procedures” and “The Bonati Institute” are service marks and are the property of The Bonati Institute. For more information, please visit www.bonati.com.

Agency Contact:
Pam Lagano
Lagano & Associates, Inc.
727.480.3082
plagano@laganoassoc.com

For Immediate Release: September 25, 2007
Hudson, Florida

Dr. John Grossmith Joins The Bonati Institute

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Dr. John Grossmith has joined The Bonati Institute in Hudson, Florida as a Neurosurgeon.Dr. Grossmith is a board certified Neurosurgeon and most recently served on the staff of Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, Indiana. Prior to that Dr. Grossmith served as the Division Head of Neurosurgery and Chairman of Neurosciences at the Naval Medical Center in San Diego, California, and as an Associate Professor at the Uniform Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland.

Dr. Grossmith received his Medical Degree from Texas A & M College of Medicine and completed his Surgical Internship at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda and his Neurosurgical Residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Grossmith is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and has served on the Medical Board with the Department of Consumer Affairs for the states of California and Michigan. He is co-author of “Biopsy Considerations in AIDS” for the Textbook of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery.

As to why he joined the staff of The Bonati Institute, Dr. Grossmith stated that: “Over the past few years, I have been following the remarkable results that this facility and these procedures have produced. The results have further convinced me that these minimally-invasive arthroscopic procedures are presently the best option for relieving pain from stenosis, herniated discs and degenerative disc disease, and that these procedures will become the world-wide standard in the near future.”

The Bonati Institute is an advanced arthroscopic surgical center located in Hudson, Florida, thirty (30) miles north of Tampa. Since 1984, The Bonati Procedures have been performed successfully more than 20,000 times.

For more information, please contact:
George Thorry
Ph: (727) 868-9563, ext. 131
E-mail: george.thorry@bonati.com

For Immediate Release: June 25, 2007
Hudson, Florida

Dr. Robert K. Hillier Joins The Bonati Institute

PDF Printable Version:  Dr. Robert K. Hillier Joins The Bonati Institute

Dr. Robert K. Hillier has joined The Bonati Institute in Hudson, Florida as an Orthopedic Surgeon. Hillier was most recently on the active staff for Orthopedic Surgery at the Hancock Medical Center in Bay St. Louis, MS. He had been associated with the Hancock Medical Center since March of 1996. The 104 bed facility, established in 1960, went through the eye of Hurricane Katrina, and over 75% of HMC’s staff and physicians lost residences and/or possessions to violent winds and water.

Hillier graduated Yale University in 1968 with a BS in Molecular Bio-physics. He received his M.D. from Harvard Medical School and completed an internship in General Surgery and residencies in General Surgery and Orthopedic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, MA. In 1981 Hillier was Board Certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery.

In addition to his most recent 11- year affiliation with Hancock Medical Center, Dr. Hillier has served as Medical Director of Norling Medical and of Rehabilitation Resources in Raynham, MA and as an Orthopedic Surgeon with Morton Hospital in Taunton, MA. Dr. Hillier has devoted his entire career to the study of pain and osteoarthritis. His work with motion studies and surgical and non-surgical treatment options have focused on the control of inflammation and the rapid return of pain sufferers to normal life.

His publications include “Diagnosis and Treatment of Lumbar Pain and Dysfunction in the 1990’s – New Solutions to Ancient Problems”. Also Dr. Hillier currently has a U.S. Patent application in progress for his High Performance Joint Prosthesis and Method. Dr. Hillier has been interested in arthroscopic and minimally-invasive surgical procedures since 1988, and upon joining the surgical staff of The Bonati Institute, Dr. Hillier remarked: “Over the past few years, I have been following the remarkable results that this facility and these procedures have produced. The results have further convinced me that these minimally-invasive arthroscopic procedures are presently the best option for relieving pain from stenosis, herniated discs and degenerative disc disease, and that these procedures will become the world-wide standard in the near future.”

The Bonati Institute is an advanced arthroscopic surgical center located in Hudson, Florida, thirty (30) miles north of Tampa. Since 1984, The Bonati Procedures have been performed successfully more than 20,000 times.

For more information, please contact: George Thorry Ph: (727) 868-9563, ext. 131 E-mail: george.thorry@bonati.com