MEDIA RELEASE

Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Diane Payne will join NHCH in September 2010 from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C. Her addition to the NHCH team expands the care the hospital provides in Hawaii and continues to reverse the trend of specialists leaving the islands.

Payne is the only Orthopedic Surgeon with a subspecialty in Hand and Microvascular Surgery outside Oahu. For residents in Hawaii, this means they will be able to receive specialized treatment for complicated hand and arm injuries, as well as general orthopedic care, which was not available prior to her arrival without a trip to Oahu.

Payne has been recruited from Duke University Medical Center, where she previously completed her orthopedic surgical residency as well as fellowship training in hand and microvascular surgery.

This training enables her to evaluate and treat not only common fracture and musculoskeletal injuries involving soft tissue or bone, but also more complicated aspects of upper-limb surgery including tendon injury, microsurgical nerve and vessel repair, and complicated fractures of the wrist and elbow. Her skills in orthopedic surgery and passion for helping people recover from injury make her a strong addition to the medical community.

In addition to her orthopedic training, Payne is also a certified physical therapist. She received her Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Emory University in Atlanta and practiced for a number of years before returning to medical school. This additional training provides her with a unique perspective in the end-to-end treatment of patients from diagnosis to surgery thru recovery.

Payne lives a very active lifestyle and her passion for the outdoors make her more understanding of the needs of the athlete, the weekend warrior, and others who want to maintain maximum functional use of their bodies.

Payne is another new physician recruited by the North Hawaii Community Hospital physician group to provide expanded care to residents of the outer-island communities.

She is opening her doors next month at Lucy Henriques Medical Center, 67-1123 Mamalahoa Highway. Call (808) 885-5855 for appointments.

North Hawaii Community Hospital (NHCH) is a rural, 39-bed acute care medical facility located in Waimea. This non-profit, community-owned hospital opened in 1996 and serves residents and visitors of the Island of Hawaii. NHCH offers a full spectrum of acute-care hospital services. It has a commitment to patient-centered care, treating the patient as a whole person – mind, body and spirit – in the context of family, culture and community.