An Angel Among Us
Meridian's focus on bringing the finest talent to our region has resulted in one of Riverview Medical Center's newest physicians performing innovative surgical procedures close to home.

Francis O'Connor and her daughter Patricia have more in common than the same employer. They're both extremely grateful that Francis's unnerving health scare was caught, and cured, by Meridian experts.

Late last December, 50-year-old Francis O'Connor experienced an unusual episode of weakness and dizziness that resulted in a visit to her doctor. Blood samples were sent off for analysis, and she returned to her daily routine at her home in Port Monmouth. On New Year's Day, Francis's doctor called and told her to go to an emergency room immediately.

So Francis went to Riverview Medical Center's Alton A. Hovnanian Emergency Care Center, where she was given blood transfusions, run through a battery of tests, and then admitted. The results were staggering. Carcinoid tumors were found in her stomach, and they were literally draining blood from her system.

Her Guardian Angel
Surgery was required immediately, and that was when Francis met Mike Liang, M.D., a surgeon affiliated with Riverview Medical Center who specializes in laparoscopic procedures. Dr. Liang spoke to Francis about performing a laparoscopic gastrectomy, explaining that this procedure entailed removing her stomach using minimally invasive techniques. Five small incisions would be made in her abdomen, and then a camera, light, and operating instruments would be inserted through skinny, pipe-like guides in the incisions.

"Dr. Liang was like an angel. My life was literally put into his hands," shares Francis. "He explained the details of the procedure, and I went full-heartedly with trust and faith."

Cutting-Edge Options
When Dr. Liang joined the medical staff of Riverview Medical Center nine months ago, he brought with him a new level of expertise for advanced surgical techniques. As a board-certified surgeon who practiced in New York City, Dr. Liang was energized by the opportunities he saw at Riverview.

"Riverview offers a quality of care and a level of service that rival university medical center settings," says Dr. Liang. "The organization is dedicated to making high-level resources convenient and accessible for central New Jersey residents."

While laparoscopic procedures for organs in the abdomen are not unusual, using this technique for a gastrectomy is quite rare. Dr. Liang is one of the few surgeons in the world trained to use this method for the stomach. In fact, Dr. Liang is leading the way with cutting-edge surgical procedures and research projects at Riverview Medical Center. One study in particular is focusing on the benefits of laparoscopic gastrectomy for malignant forms of stomach tumors.

Getting Back to Normal
According to Dr. Liang, laparoscopic surgery has many benefits. The incision area is small, there is less blood loss, and the recovery time is much shorter compared to traditional surgery. Patients can get back to a normal lifestyle more quickly.

Francis has experienced firsthand the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. "I was able to leave the hospital in five days, and I've had a good recovery," she says. "Within a few weeks, I was eating small meals and went back to work."

Francis notes, "I've been using Riverview for 30 years and think it's great that they can do these things. And Dr. Liang…all he's missing are wings and a halo!"

– Donna Sellmann