General and robotic surgeon Andrew John Haputa, M.D., characterizes himself as having a comprehensive set of surgical skills – a short conversation with him and one begins to understand that Haputa has a vast wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to general surgery.
The newest member of the Good Shepherd Health Care System is a board-certified general and robotic surgeon, he is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and has 18 years of experience. He received his medical degree from the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill. Haputa then came to the Pacific North West specifically to the University of Washington General Surgery Residency Program. He has also completed two mini-fellowship programs in bariatric surgery – minimally invasive and gastric sleeve. Haputa also completed robotic surgical training on the da Vinci surgical system and has been performing 100 da Vinci surgical cases annually.
Hailing from Burien, Wash., Haputa wanted a change in scenery and weather – trading in rain and fir trees for sun and sagebrush – which is just fine to him. “I’m really looking forward to bringing my experience to Good Shepherd and to the community as a complement to joining Dr. Keeler and Dr. Jones – both fine surgeons,” he said.
When asked about his approach to patient care, he said, “It’s really about kindness. I am naturally a caring person and believe people wanted to be treated with kindness and respect. That is an expectation I set for myself and what I want my patients to feel. The kinder you are the more likely they are willing to express their wants and desires. As a surgeon, I fell it is my duty to help each patient get the desired outcome they desire. I make it a point to stick with my patients and will follow up with them as much as necessary to help address their questions and ease any concerns they may have prior to and post-surgery.”
Haputa is involved in giving back to the medical community, has served as president of the Association of Native American Physicians, has research and presentation experience, has been a clinical instructor at the University of Washington, Swedish Medical Center, and the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority.
“We are excited to have Dr. Haputa join our surgical team and provide his wealth of knowledge and skill when it comes to general and robotic surgery with our community,” said President & CEO, Dennis E. Burke. “Being the first medical center in the two-state region that we serve to have a da Vinci robotic system has truly been an accomplishment. Dr. Haputa adds to our fine list of surgeons practicing and putting the da Vinci to good use.”
According to research, the benefits experienced by surgeons using the da Vinci ® Surgical System over traditional approaches have been greater surgical precision, increased range of motion, improved dexterity, enhanced visualization, and improved access to the surgical site. Benefits experienced by patients may include a shorter hospital stay, less pain, less risk of infection, less blood loss, fewer transfusions, less scarring, faster recovery and a quicker return to normal daily activities. None of these benefits can be guaranteed, as surgery is necessarily both patient- and procedure-specific.
Dr. Haputa is part of the Good Shepherd Medical Group General Surgeons located at the Good Shepherd Medical Plaza in Hermiston Oregon. To schedule an appointment, call 541-667-3804. To learn more about general and robotic surgery, visit the Good Shepherd website.
