New Neurosurgical Microscope at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka Enhances Trauma Care

St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka is pleased to announce it recently purchased a new Leica M530 neurosurgical microscope designed to support neurosurgeons with groundbreaking optics technology that combines high-resolution and increased depth of field for an enhanced clinical experience.

The investment, made possible by funds donated by the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation in Eureka, is part of St. Joseph Health, Humboldt County’s continued commitment to improving trauma care for patients on the North Coast. Along with the purchase of the new microscope, St. Joseph has recently recruited neurosurgeon James Messegee, M.D. and additional trauma staff to enable the hospital to provide uninterrupted, 24/7 neuro-trauma call-coverage for emergency cases.

“It’s not unusual for us to be doing an elective neurosurgical operation when a neurosurgical trauma presents in the emergency department,” explained John Aryanpur, M.D., neurosurgeon, St. Joseph Health Medical Group. “In the past, we’d have to wait until the elective surgery was done to take care of the trauma surgery. With the addition of new equipment and providers, we now have the ability to run two neurosurgical cases simultaneously and reduce the likelihood of patients having to be sent out of the area.

To have this level of high-quality care in a small community like ours is both unique, and something we are very proud to offer.”

For patients, travel out of the area for medical care can present hardships beyond physical recovery from their injury or illness. Health care costs for expenses related to health emergencies and the associated travel can be prohibitive.

The donated dollars from the Foundation used to purchase the state-of-the-art microscope underscore the critical importance of the partnership between the community and hospital to provide essential equipment and technology which supports acute and specialty care in Humboldt County.

“We are so grateful for the amazing generosity of our donors,” said Paul McGinty, Chief Philanthropy Officer, St. Joseph Health, Humboldt County. “Major philanthropic investments from our community enable St. Joseph Hospital to sustain the level of medical care required to keep our community in optimal health. We are truly blessed."