Kare Bears’ Korner

Kare Bears presents – improving outcomes through robotic surgery

Linda Jo Orinski, Programs and Events Director

Kare Bears Presents has a very exciting program for our April Kare Bears Presents! We are bringing you a panel discussion with three doctors, sponsored by Abrazo West Campus.

Dr. Sushil Pandey is a board-certified colon and rectal surgeon and is an expert in the surgical treatment of diseases of the lower gastrointestinal tract. Dr. Pandey specializes in minimally invasive surgery for colon, rectal and anal problems and has been published three times.

Dr. Kevin Potter is a fellowship-trained surgeon in gastrointestinal minimally invasive surgery, hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgery. Dr. Potter is board-certified by the American Board of General Surgery. Dr. Potter specializes in minimally invasive and robotic surgery of the upper and middle GI tract along with this general surgery practice. He provides comprehensive foregut evaluation and management with or without surgical intervention. Having co-founded two other bariatric programs, Dr. Potter brings with him a wealth of knowledge in the bariatric field, specializing in revisions of previous weight loss surgeries with current complications.

Dr. B.J Ho has been a resident of Phoenix since 1990. Dr. Ho found a niche in high-risk obstetrics, minimally-invasion robotic surgery, infertility and hormone replacement. Dr. Ho is proud to be one of the first providers in the SW Valley to send hysterectomy patients home the same day, instead of needing to stay overnight. He also is starting to provide bioidentical pellet hormone replacement as an alternative to conventional pharmaceutical treatments for those suffering from menopausal and age-related hormonal changes.

Our final doctor on the panel is Dr. Parkaj Jain. Dr. Jain’s interests include laparoscopy and minimally invasive surgery, including robotic assisted surgery, oncology, stones, erectile dysfunction, female urology and benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). Most exceptionally, Dr. Jain has a strong training and extensive experience in robotic radial prostatectomies and is regarded as a leader in the robotic assisted surgeries in the West Valley.

Because robotic surgery is at the cutting edge of precision and miniaturization in the realm of surgery, the possible applications are as extensive as the uses of minimally invasive surgery. Robotic surgery has already become a successful option in neurological, urological, gynecological, cardiothoracic and numerous general surgical procedures. Intuitive Surgical, makers of the da Vinci robotic surgery system, have released upgrades in the number of operating arms, eliminating the need for one surgical assistant, which may expand its clinical applications. Exciting new procedures that will make your down time less and your recovery even faster!

Join us on April 24, 11:00 a.m.-noon located in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom. You do not want to miss this wealth of knowledge to learn about these new updates and procedures. Admission and refreshments are free! 

Kare Bears and Rotary partner for food drive

The Rotary Club of Goodyear PebbleCreek and Kare Bears are partnering to sponsor a community-wide food drive April 8-19 for the Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank.

Arizona ranks fifth in the U.S. for the highest food insecurity rates. Just over one million people in Arizona are struggling with hunger, which translates to one in four children, one in five adults and one in seven seniors. These are our friends, family, coworkers and neighbors. The Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank serves approximately 50,000 individuals experiencing hunger annually here in the Southwest Valley. Unfortunately, the communities served are some of the poorest, not only in the state, but in the country.

PebbleCreekers have shown their kindness and generosity in helping to make a difference in our local community. Please consider giving to this food drive. The summer months are a challenge when donations take a sharp downturn. Check your pantries or pick-up some extra canned goods each time you go grocery shopping. Snowbirds, this is an ideal time to clear your cupboards before you leave for the summer. With all the homes in PebbleCreek, the number of items donated could be extraordinary!

The Kare Bears house will accept donations April 8-19 during business hours. The house is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m.-noon. All non-perishable food items are being accepted, especially peanut butter and jelly, cereal, pasta and small containers of fruit for children. Many Kare Bears coordinators and Unit Contacts are also accepting donations. Watch for information directly from them.

The goal is to make it easy for you to donate. Send questions to Joyce Van Ornam at [email protected].

Let’s fill the Agua Fria Food Bank to full and running over! 

Wine Club donates to Kare Bears

A huge thank you goes out to the Wine Club for their $10,000 donation to Kare Bears. The Wine Club raised this money through their raffle and silent auction at their annual Christmas Gala.

Kare Bears is a PebbleCreek all volunteer organization that relies on community support for all its programs. This money will go a long way toward helping Kare Bears to continue the many programs and services it provides free of charge to residents.

We are fortunate to have supportive organizations such as the Wine Club that have supported Kare Bears over the years. It truly embodies PebbleCreek’s “neighbors helping neighbors” spirit.