Surgery

HARRODSBURG ? Justin Morgan never backed down from a challenge during his athletic career at Mercer County. He was the starting quarterback on the 2006 state championship football team that was known for its big-play running backs and stingy defense. He was a starter and productive player in baseball, but again never the team star. Yet no one battled harder than Morgan. Now he needs that same courage and determination to help him again. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in late July, has had surgery and is waiting to start chemotherapy treatments.

"Ephraim McDowell" is a name that isn't new to the theater. The founder of the Playhouse, Eben C. Henson, wrote about the legendary surgeon in the 1960s. His children grew up listening to stories about McDowell, and even taking roles in their father's play. "It's kind of in our bones," said Holly Henson, writer and director of "The Infamous Ephraim," the upcoming production at Pioneer Playhouse. Although she grew up to the McDowell story, Henson admits she did not want to write the play at first.

It is quite understandable why so many pet owners provide the best of care for their pets - because they consider them as a part of the family. I sometimes feel like "the other family doctor. " Clients routinely refer to their furry four-legged family members as "our baby. " They really do feel the same undeniable, unquestionable, and unconditional love for their pets as they do for other family members. This is obvious when one of these extremely fortunate animals sadly passes away in their owner's presence.

It's one thing to watch an edited film of surgery on a cable TV show, but it's another to watch surgery live, while it happens - and, of course, in color (with blood red the dominant hue). On Wednesday, 20 Boyle County High School students went to the Danville campus of Bluegrass Community and Technical College to view an hourlong operation via teleconference from the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center in Lexington. It was the first in what is expected to become a series of teleconferences to attract more students to health-care careers, especially in rural areas that have chronic shortages of these professionals.

The Kentucky Historical Society will dedicate a replacement historical highway marker 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ephraim McDowell House. Sponsored by Ephraim McDowell Health and Kentucky Historical Society, the marker will honor Ephraim McDowell, a physician who often is referred to as the "father of modern surgery. " On Dec. 25, 1809, McDowell performed the first successful abdominal operation in his home. During the surgery, McDowell removed a 22-pound ovarian cyst from Jane Todd Crawford.

LEXINGTON - Clark County high school seniors and college students interested in pursuing careers as physicians or dentists are eligible to participate in summer programs at the University of Kentucky offered through its Professional Education Preparation Program. The PEPP Scholars Summer Program, designed for students from medically underserved areas, is open to current high school seniors. The PEPP II Medical and Dental School Preparation Program is open to students who have completed at least two years of college.

LEXINGTON - Kentucky assistant coach Glynn Cyprien was actively involved in recruiting Oklahoma high school standout Daniel Orton, who signed with the Wildcats in November. Orton currently is rehabilitating his knee after needing surgery before his senior season, but he's still regarded as one of the nation's top prep players. Cyprien recently shared some insights about Orton. Question: How well will he fit in immediately on your team next year? Cyprien: "I think he will be great for our team.

The 12-year-old passenger airlifted to the University of Kentucky Chandler Medical Center following a serious two-vehicle collision Dec. 15 on U.S. 127 in Danville is in fair condition. Frankie Thompson of Hustonville was taken directly to UK via helicopter after suffering life-threatening injuries. According to the hospital, Thompson underwent surgery on Tuesday. Today her status has been updated to fair condition.

New techniques for joint replacement surgery are shortening recovery time while leaving more of the original bones and ligaments in place. Within the last year, techniques for resurfacing knee and hip joints with partial replacements have been showing much promise for a pair of Winchester doctors who have been using new joint systems called the Birmingham Hip and the Journey systems for knees. The procedures, which were approved in the United States about four years ago, have been used in Europe for about a decade, according to Smith and Nephew, the company that manufactures the joints.

Just like all other medical professions, veterinary medicine has strict rules, regulations and guidelines to follow. Many guidelines are unique to the profession due to the nature of the business treating animals instead of people. For many years, pet cosmetic surgeries have been one of the major topics of controversy. Mostly, ear cropping and tail docking have received extraordinary scrutiny. On Nov. 26, the American Veterinary Medical Association denounced ear cropping and tail docking procedures for cosmetic purposes.