There are many high quality surgical specialists... right here in Harford County.

Having surgery? Click here on how to prepare for it.

Harford Memorial Hospital and Upper Chesapeake Medical Center are ranked among the top hospitals in Maryland for General Surgery.

Scott A. Steinmetz, M.D.
General Surgery

Sung B. Kim, M.D.
Minimally Invasive Surgery, General Surgery

The evolution of minimally invasive surgery over the last ten years has resulted in quicker recovery and better outcomes for patients. Harford County has kept pace with the latest technology. The Division of General Surgery at Upper Chesapeake Health offers state-of-the-art procedures performed in a caring environment by surgeons who have the expertise and the most current equipment at their fingertips.
      Major advances include the incorporation of new technology into traditional treatment of both benign and malignant colon disease and new minimally invasive abdominal surgical procedures. "Upper Chesapeake Health surgeons are performing single site laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder and appendix removal," says Scott A. Steinmetz, M.D., FACS, Division Head of General Surgery at Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. "Instead of the four 1/2-inch or smaller incisions associated with traditional laparoscopic surgery that may leave visible scars, the SILS™ (single incision laparoscopic surgery) procedure is accomplished with a single 2-cm incision through the belly button, often resulting in less pain and scarring," added Sung Kim, M.D., FACS, a board certified general surgeon with fellowship training in minimally invasive techniques.
     Dr. Steinmetz points out that smaller is not always better and "just because we can" is never a good reason to use a new procedure. Minimally invasive surgery is not right for everyone. "We exercise good judgment as to which patients are good candidates for these newer technologies," he says.
     UCH surgeons offer a full range of general surgery options with specialization in the areas of thoracic surgery, surgical oncology and minimally invasive techniques.
     What factors should a patient consider when choosing a surgeon? "Experience is vital," says Dr. Kim, "but patients also want a surgeon who is compassionate, respectful and understanding." Individuals considering weight loss surgery are pleased to learn that Upper Chesapeake Health's Division of Bariatric Surgery has been designated a Level I Center of Excellence by the American College of Surgeons. In addition to the most common laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure, gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy are two other minimally invasive options offered at Harford Memorial Hospital. "Obese patients are at risk for developing blood clots and other complications with any type of surgery," Dr. Kim says, "so we take measures to reduce risks—more so than in general surgical procedures."
     The cancer programs at Upper Chesapeake Health have received accreditation from the American College of Surgeons' Commission on Cancer. "Our surgeons are university trained and board certified in surgery and are all well versed in the changing technology," Dr. Steinmetz says. In the case of breast cancer, patients receive a full range of services, including core biopsy, surgery, the latest chemotherapy treatments and expert reconstruction—all without leaving Harford County!
     "We still hear people say, 'I didn't know that was offered here,'" Dr. Steinmetz says. "Significant advances in clinical care and technology have taken place in Harford County over the past ten years. They will be pleasantly surprised to learn that they can save a drive up or down 95 and get state-of-the-art care right in their own backyard!"

For a referral or consultation with one of our physicians, call 1-800-515-0044, or go to Find A Doctor.

Neurosurgery

One of Harford County's own, Dr. Benalcazar is a graduate of John Carroll School, and a neurosurgeon specializing in spine surgery.

Hugo Benalcazar, M.D.
Chief, Division of Neurosurgery

For residents of Harford County, expert care in Neuro and Spine Surgery is right around the corner. Upper Chesapeake Health now offers new disc replacement surgery which allows patients a better range of motion than spinal fusion, and decreases wear and tear on adjacent vertebrae. Upper Chesapeake Medical Center, the first hospital in the nation to purchase a High Definition microscope, ensures its surgeons have the advanced technology to perform a wide range of minimally invasive procedures. It's one more way that Upper Chesapeake brings something unparalleled to Harford County.

Our Neurosurgeons

Bradley T. Bagan, M.D. Neurosurgery 206 S. Hays Street Bel Air, Maryland 21014 Phone: 410-900-1900 2nd Phone number: 410-515-1515 Fax: 410-900-1901 Hugo E. Benalcazar, M.D. Neurosurgery Surgery, Spine 206 S. Hays Street Bel Air, Maryland 21014 Phone: 410-900-1900 2nd Phone number: 410-515-1515 Fax: 410-900-1901

Head, Neck and Lung

Linda Martin, M.D., M.P.H. Thoracic Surgery Pavilion II 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Suite 515 Bel Air, MD 21014 Phone: (443) 643-3233  Fax: (443) 643-3231

Dr. Linda Martin is a general thoracic surgeon with an interest in thoracic malignancies. She has recently joined the University of Maryland, Division of Thoracic Surgery as an Assistant Professor. Originally from San Diego, California, Dr. Martin completed both a bachelor's degree in molecular, cell, developmental biology and a medical degree from the University of California. She also holds a master's of public health degree in epidemiology/biostatistics from the University of Texas, where she completed her thoracic surgery residency and a clinical research fellowship. Dr. Martin holds memberships in the Association of Women Surgeons, Society of Thoracic Surgeons and is a Fellow in both the American College of Chest Physicians and the American College of Surgeons. Her thoracic training was carried out at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in their Thoracic Surgery specialty track program which provided Dr. Martin with extensive experience in surgery for thoracic malignancies, such as lung cancer, cancer of the esophagus, thymus, pleura, and chest wall.

Her research interests focus on clinical outcomes in the treatment of thoracic malignancies, multimodality approaches to lung and esophageal cancer, and smoking cessation interventions in lung cancer patients.