The Community Memorial (CMH) Center for Orthopedics is excited to announce a renewed focus on hip fracture care, launching a new specialty program.

Dr. Richelle Takemoto, CMH board-certified orthopedic trauma surgeon, leads the initiative alongside Dr. Kamal Banga. This program offers patients a comprehensive approach to care for hip fractures. The full-service program navigates patients from fracture to function following a fall. Whether patients seek care through the Emergency Department or CMH’s Center for Orthopedics, they can expect to be seen expeditiously by one of our orthopedic surgeons. CMH’s Center for Orthopedics offers comprehensive orthopedic care, ensuring that both patients and referring providers that patients receive the best possible care.

Patients who suspect a hip fracture following a fall are encouraged to visit the Emergency Department in Hamilton, which offers low wait times and 24/7 orthopedic care from our team. Or, patients can visit the Center for Orthopedics during walk-in hours to be seen in the office.  Once a surgeon determines there is a fracture, the patient will be scheduled for surgery.  Following surgery, patients can choose to rehabilitate through the Swing Bed Program at Community Memorial, which serves as a bridge between the hospital and home for patients following a surgery or illness.

“Having a standardized geriatric hip fracture program reduces time to surgery and improves the functional outcomes of these patients,” noted Dr. Richelle Takemoto. “The orthopedic team at CMH designed this program to improve hip fracture care in our region.”

Hip fractures are common in elderly patients, underscoring the importance of optimal care. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons reports more than 300,000 hip fractures in the U.S. each year in individuals over age 65, with most injuries from common falls. “Reducing the injury to surgery time is standard of care for geriatric hip fractures,” added Dr. Banga. “This program will have a positive impact on good patient outcomes.”

Dr. Takemoto, Chief of Robotic Surgery, completed her fellowship training in orthopedic trauma. She specializes in comprehensive fracture care and total joint arthroplasty of the shoulder, knee and hip.

Dr. Banga is certified by the medical boards in the United States, Canada, and India, and holds board certification in sports medicine and orthopedics from the respective medical associations of these nations. Dr. Banga completed his fellowship in Orthopedic Surgery, Upper-Extremity, and Sports Medicine at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. Additionally, he holds a fellowship in Orthopedic Sports Surgery from the University of Western Ontario, in Ontario, Canada.

With a focused initiative to improve access to quality primary and specialty care in the region, CMH has focused efforts to grow its provider team. The Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics is open within the Center for Specialties building at 160 Broad Street in Hamilton, on the hospital campus. Offering a walk-in clinic daily the practice grants patients ease and convenience, with same or next-day appointments following an Emergency Department visit. The Orthopedics team provides specialty care for knee, hip, and shoulder joints, along with spine and sports medicine treatment for injured athletes.

The Community Memorial Center for Orthopedics has expanded care into New Hartford each Wednesday, at 83 Genesee Street within the CNY Brain and Spine building, and to Cazenovia with Dr. Banga on Thursdays. The Hamilton office sees patients Monday through Friday, with walk-ins available each day. These expansions aim to improve access to specialized orthopedic care for residents throughout the region.

Community Memorial offers primary care in six locations (Hamilton, Cazenovia, Morrisville, Munnsville, Sherrill and Waterville) and warmly welcomes patients for all services, including specialty care. Regularly check the ‘News and Events’ section of the website for the latest updates as services continue to expand.

To learn more about any of the Community Memorial services, visit www.communitymemorial.org.