New Partnership, Technology Keep Expert Care Close to Home

More than 4,000 miles separate New Hampshire from Alaska, but that distance is about to vanish for North Country residents seeking the best in spine care – especially with the help of telemedicine technology.

Published 8/2/2017

CMC NH TeleNeuroSpine at AVH connects Berlin to Alaska

More than 4,000 miles separate New Hampshire from Alaska, but that distance is about to vanish for North Country residents seeking the best in spine care – especially with the help of telemedicine technology. Catholic Medical Center (CMC), Thomas Kleeman, MD of the NH NeuroSpine Institute, and Androscoggin Valley Hospital (AVH) are launching a new service, CMC NH TeleNeuroSpine at AVH. The collaboration will allow Dr. Kleeman, a respected orthopaedic/spine surgeon and founder of the NH NeuroSpine Institute in Bedford, to see patients at AVH in Berlin from his new office in Alaska.
 
“Innovative medical technology isn’t limited to the operating room,” said Dr. Kleeman, who will still travel to New Hampshire on a regular basis to perform surgery and see patients. “Thanks to telemedicine, we’re able to maintain patient relationships regardless of location and deliver expert care no matter where a physician happens to be at a given moment.” Telemedicine uses a secure video connection to link providers and patients in real time.

North Country patients will be able to schedule office visits with Dr. Kleeman from CMC offices at AVH. In addition to having local consultation, patients will remain in their community for related lab work, radiology, selected pain interventions, physical therapy, and follow up visits. More acute surgical needs will be referred to CMC.
 
“We are excited to offer this service to our patients as part of our commitment to increasing access to high-quality care,” said Keith Shute, MD, MMM, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President at AVH. “People know and trust Dr. Kleeman. It’s a tremendous asset for our patients – many of whom are suffering from severe back pain – to be able to ‘see’ him without having to travel out of the area for that level of expert care.”
 
Dr. Kleeman built a successful practice in Bedford and served multiple roles at CMC where he was President of the Medical Staff and was on the Board of Directors. He and his wife, Anne, relocated to Alaska earlier this year, but he maintains his involvement at the NH NeuroSpine Institute as well as his credentials to practice medicine in New Hampshire.

Dr. Kleeman is a true innovator in his field and we’re pleased that he is continuing to pioneer with us,” said Joseph Pepe, MD, President & CEO of Catholic Medical Center. “Thanks to telemedicine, geography is no longer a barrier – for patients or physicians – in providing care.”
 
 

photo: Dr. Kleeman tests the telemedicine technology that will be used to enable CMC NH TeleNeuroSpine at AVH visits.