Facility Upgrades and Expansions
Center for Advanced Orthopedics
Following renovations to the first floor of the hospital's Medical Office Building, The Center for Advanced Orthopedic Surgery opened in summer of 2022, bringing Ortho Rhode Island’s world-class orthopedics, sports medicine, physical therapy, and occupational therapy services to the South County Hospital campus. Building on the unique, ongoing partnership between South County Health and Ortho Rhode Island, the new Center for Advanced Orthopedic Surgery offers patients minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopy, robotic-assisted surgery, and joint replacements. Through additional donor support, future renovations would result in a patient-centric, continuum of care that would bridge Ortho Rhode Island’s practice in Suite 100 with South County Hospital’s Frost Unit, where orthopedic patients receive post-surgical care prior to discharge.
Warwick Medical and Wellness Center
Opening in February 2022, South County Health Medical and Wellness Center at 120 Centerville Road in Warwick provides an array of practices and services including an Express Care similar to those found at its counterpart locations in East Greenwich and Westerly. The opening of the Warwick Medical and Wellness Center expands South County Health’s statewide reach, making it even more convenient for patients to receive exceptional care.
Recognizing an opportunity to bring our exceptional providers and healthcare services closer to our patients who live north of Washington County, this location provides all the diagnostic and consultation needs of patients with the ease and convenience of being within reach of their community.
Radiation Therapy
To enhance the comprehensive oncology services offered through the Cancer Center, South County Health now fully owns and operates the Radiation Therapy facility as a Hospital department.
Prior to reopening in March 2022, a significant investment was made to redesign and reconfigure treatment areas and upgrade the technology used to deliver this effective form of cancer therapy.
The addition of Radiation Therapy offered as a service of South County Hospital allows a seamless patient pathway of our Cancer Center services, including diagnosis, consultation with an interdisciplinary team of physicians and specialists, treatment, wellness support, and rehabilitation.
South County Health is one of only five radiation therapy facilities in Rhode Island, making this form of treatment available to patients in Southern Rhode Island.
Key System Statistics
Procedural First and Milestones
Dr. Bradley’s Shoulder Surgery
Ortho Rhode Island surgeon Michael P. Bradley, MD, MBA, MS completed a reverse shoulder arthroplasty, more commonly known as a reverse shoulder replacement, using the FX V135™ implant, at South County Hospital. The surgery took place in late July and was the first surgery to employ this technology in the United States. The landmark procedure was performed at the Center for Advanced Orthopedic Surgery, a partnership between Ortho Rhode Island and South County Health. The surgery is part of Ortho Rhode Island’s mission to pioneer orthopedic treatments that make care more patient-centered.
“Procedures that preserve bone are becoming a high priority to patients. That’s why I believe the FX V135™ implant is a good option to consider for anyone in need of reverse shoulder replacement,” Dr. Bradley said.
Dr. Brady’s da Vinci Milestone
In February, 2023, Dr. Joseph Brady reached a milestone after completing the 1,000th robotic-assisted surgery of his career. A general surgeon at South County Health since 2017, Dr. Brady, achieved this milestone during a routine gall bladder surgery using the assistance of the da Vinci Xi Surgical System.
Specializing in gall bladder and hernia repair surgeries, Dr. Brady performed his first robotic-assisted surgery in 2015 and the first ever at South County Hospital on May 31, 2018, using the da Vinci Xi. Since 2018, 788 robotic-assisted surgeries have been completed by the expert general surgeons on South County Health’s medical staff, with 16.3% of all general surgery procedures performed at South County Hospital being robotic-assisted surgeries. In 2022, that number increased to 24.8% of all general surgery procedures, with 50.1% of Dr. Brady’s surgeries performed with the assistance of da Vinci Xi.
Dr. Marchand's Mako Milestone
In March, 2023, Dr. Bob Marchand of Ortho Rhode Island reached a global milestone after becoming the first orthopedic surgeon in the world to complete their 9,000th Mako-assisted procedure. As part of Ortho Rhode Island’s pioneering joint replacement team, Dr. Marchand is one of the foremost robotic surgeons in the world.
“Thirteen years ago, we brought Mako to South County Health to offer state-of-the-art treatment that puts patients’ needs and outcomes at the center of our care,” Dr. Marchand said. “It’s a privilege to have helped thousands of patients with robotic-assisted procedures, and to grow this technology along with our expert team at Ortho Rhode Island.”
Through a partnership with Ortho Rhode Island, and the opening of the Center for Advanced Orthopedic Surgery at South County Hospital, South County Health is a global leader in robotic-assisted surgery. Since pioneering the use of Stryker’s Mako SmartRobotics™ surgical technology for hip and knee replacements in 2010, the expert surgeons at Ortho Rhode Island have performed more than 17,000 robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement surgeries at South County Hospital.
New Physicians Spotlight
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP TEAM
Kevin Charpentier, MD, was named Vice President, South County Medical Group and Chief Medical Officer at South County Health in July 2022. Most recently Chief of Surgery at Signature Healthcare, in Brockton, Massachusetts, Dr. Charpentier brings extensive clinical and leadership experience in service line development, network integration, physician recruitment, profit and loss management, regulatory compliance, and clinical and translational research.
A proven leader in healthcare, Dr. Charpentier has united disparate hospitals, medical groups, and foundations toward shared visions and common interests, developing regional thoracic surgery, urology, minimally invasive foregut surgery, oncology, and medical and surgical programs while facilitating the development of many other medical specialties.
In this executive leadership role, Dr. Charpentier will serve as an expert resource to the Medical Staff and will work closely with its leaders, South County Medical Group providers, and administrators, under the direction of the president and CEO, to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of the system.
Dr. Charpentier holds a Master of Arts from Brown University. He received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine and is currently completing a Masters of Business Administration from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
GENERAL SURGERY
Gracie G. Luetters, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon with an expertise in the surgical treatment of hernias, gallstones and cholecystitis, offering laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques as well as breast surgery and all other general surgery conditions.
Dr. Luetters began practicing medicine in 2019, after earning a medical degree from St. George's University in Grenada. She then completed general surgery internship and residency at Albany Medical Center in New York.
Theodore Delmonico, MD, FACS is a board-certified critical care and general surgeon with expertise in surgical treatment of hernias, cholecystitis, colon, and gastrointestinal surgery offering open, laparoscopic and robotic-assisted techniques.
Dr. Delmonico began practicing medicine in 2018, after earning a medical degree from The University of Texas School of Medicine in San Antonio, Texas. He then completed general surgery internship and residency at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, before completing a Surgical Critical Care Fellowship at Brown University.
OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
Kaitlin R. Lee, MD, FACOG, joined the Center for Women’s Health specializing in obstetrics and gynecologic care for patients from adolescence through menopause. She brings experience in traditional laparoscopic and abdominal surgery, with additional expertise in vaginal surgery.
Dr. Lee received her medical degree from University of Illinois College of Medicine and completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH. Prior to joining South County Health, Dr. Lee provided care for normal and high-risk patients in private practice.
ONCOLOGY
Daniel Fass, MD, is a board-certified radiation oncologist joining South County Health Radiation Oncology in August 2022. Dr. Fass brings extensive clinical experience in radiation oncology and was part of the pioneering team that developed both 3D RT and IMRT at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, and later bringing this technology to other community hospitals in the New York area.
Dr. Fass began practicing medicine in 1977, after earning a medical degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. He then completed a Radiation Oncology Residency at New York University Medical Center in New York City where he served as Chief Resident before completing a Brachytherapy Fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
UROLOGY
South County Health was pleased to welcome Dr. Angelo Cambio, Dr. Joseph Cambio, Dr. Alex Lubin, and Dr. Dean Leocádio of Urological Specialists of New England as partners to our Urology team in 2022. They are currently taking new patients at our Wakefield and Warwick locations.
Angelo Cambio, MD, is a board-certified with expertise in robotic surgery and the diagnosis and treatment of unwanted fertility, erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, urologic reconstruction, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), kidney stones and overactive bladder.
Dr. Cambio began practicing medicine in 2012. After earning a medical degree from the Boston University School of Medicine, he completed an internship in general surgery and residency in urology at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Dr. Cambio also completed the Aventis Clinical Research Fellowship in Urologic Oncology at the University of California at Davis.
Joseph Cambio, MD, is a board-certified urologist with expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction, kidney stones, and urologic cancer. Among his areas of expertise, Dr. Cambio specializes in minimally invasive endourologic procedures for treatment of kidney stones and obstructive urinary symptoms related to benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). As well as, minimally invasive surgery of erectile dysfunction.
Dr. Cambio began practicing medicine in 2011. After earning a medical degree from the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine, he completed internships in urology and general surgery at University of Massachusetts Medical College, Albert Einstein Medical Center, and Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dean Leocádio, MD, is a board-certified urologist that practices general urology with a special interest in men’s health including erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism, and Peyronie’s disease. He is a member of the Society for Urological Prosthetic Surgeons and performs penile implant surgery, as well as male genitourinary reconstructive procedures for incontinence and urethral stricture. Dr. Leocádio is trained in robotic surgery and performs various robotic procedures for prostate and kidney cancer.
After earning a medical degree from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California, he completed an internship in general surgery at Loma Linda University Medical Center, and residencies in urology at State University of New York at Upstate and Texas Tech University.
Dr. Leocádio also completed the Men’s Health Research Fellowship at Brown University.
Alex Lubin, MD, is a board-certified urologist and practices general urology with a focus on the diagnosis and treatment of stone disease. He also has special interests in all forms of management for overactive bladder (OAB) including InterStim, as well as BPH and endosurgery.
Dr. Lubin graduated residency and began practice in 2018. He earned a Master’s in Biomedical Science Policy and Advocacy from Georgetown University and a medical degree from New York Medical College prior to completing an internship in general surgery and residency in urology at SUNY University at Buffalo.
Daisy Award
The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes. His family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided and one of the goals they set in creating a Foundation was to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people by the super-human work they do every day. Cinnamon rolls were a favorite of Patrick’s during his illness. The Barnes Family asks that whenever and wherever nurses smell that wonderful cinnamon aroma, they stop for a moment and think about how special they are.
2022 South County Health Recipients
Christine Sarza, RN
Working as a critical care nurse in South County Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, Christine Sarza, RN enjoys providing compassionate care and support to patients and their families who are experiencing a stressful and scary time of their lives. After caring for one of those patients, her willingness to go the “extra mile” was recognized by the patient’s family who nominated her for the prestigious DAISY Award.
On May 13, 2022, Christine’s dedication to the nursing profession was celebrated among her colleagues and members of the Senior Leadership Team when she received a bouquet of daisies, A Healer’s Touch statuette, and a platter of cinnamon buns to share with her unit, a DAISY tradition.
In her nomination, the patient’s daughter recognized Christine’s unique ability to treat each patient with kindness, caring, and compassion.
South County Health’s nurses understand what it takes to provide an exceptional patient experience for those in their care. In March 2022, Lynne Caldarone, RN was surprised to learn that she was a recipient of the DAISY Award for what she did for a patient that went beyond hospital care.
After a visit to the Emergency Department turned into a five-day inpatient admission, a patient who was just diagnosed with cancer was being discharged. Despite the devastating news of her health, she found comfort “surrounded by an amazing team of doctors and nursing staff” who took care of her.
Digital
Enhanced Patient Portal
As part of South County Health’s digital transformation strategy to improve patient access to healthcare and personal health information, an upgraded electronic medical record (EMR) system used by South County Medical Group practices was launched in March of 2022. The enhanced patient portal used for primary care and specialty practices, offers patients the ability to:
- Exchange secure messages with their providers and office staff
- View visit history documentation
- View medication record information
- Schedule, reschedule, or cancel office appointments or virtual visits
- Complete registration information and pre-visit questionnaires
- Pay bills
Get Care Now (Virtual)
Digital Statistics
Digitally Scheduled Appointments
Digitally Scheduled Appointments
eVisits/Virtual Visits
Downloads and Enrollments
SCH Now App
Our SCH NOW App makes it easy for patients to access high-quality healthcare – including our Get Care NOW portal from their smartphones or other personal devices.
