Remembering My Father – Loss and Legacy
My dad has been on my mind as of late. My father, Dr. Thomas Geocaris, passed away on April 10, 2012, from pancreatic cancer. Even when I’m not consciously thinking about it, memories of him often come to me. He wasn’t just my dad but my role model, mentor, and partner. As my dad’s been […]
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Why I Love Being a Surgeon – Finding Purpose in the Operating Room
As a surgeon, I’m fully aware that in the operating room, I hold someone’s life in my hands. In the operating room, I always have to be at my best. Surgeons have what you call “Type A” personalities, which can come off as confident and even assertive. Still, these personality traits are necessary to do […]
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Waiting for a Doctor? Tips & Insights for a Better Patient Experience
A patient’s complication recently led to an hour-long delay in my office schedule as they needed additional care and attention. Understandably, this upset some patients waiting and created a challenge for my team. Waiting for a doctor or surgeon can sometimes be a frustrating experience. As a surgeon, I realize that time spent in the waiting […]
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Why Getting a Colonoscopy Matters and the Battle Against Colon Cancer
Many people are afraid of getting a colonoscopy. Perhaps it’s not the procedure but the dreaded “prep” beforehand. I know because I’ve been there, nervous and unsure of what to expect. Though I regularly perform colonoscopies, experiencing the procedure as a patient rather than a surgeon is a different experience. March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. […]
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What is Elective Surgery & Three Procedures to Improve Quality of Life
Does the thought of having surgery make you nervous? Having surgery, regardless of the reason, can make most people anxious. Surgery is a significant event that comes with both risks and benefits. But what about elective surgery, and what exactly is elective surgery? In this blog, we’ll answer that question and discuss how three elective […]
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Heart Disease in Women: My Personal Experience
Heart disease in women is personal to me. Two years ago, at the age of 52, I experienced chest pain while in the operating room. Despite being healthy and exercising regularly, I neglected the symptoms for most of the day. I initially thought it was heartburn, but the symptoms got worse throughout the day. When […]
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Robotic Surgery and What Questions to Ask Your Surgeon
I’m very passionate about robotic surgery. My hospital performs 95% of the applicable surgeries using robotic technology. I have personally completed over 2000 robotic-assisted cases since I began practicing robotic surgery in 2004. I’m also currently serving as the Medical Director for the Surgical Robotics Program at ThedaCare Regional Medical Centers in Neenah and Appleton. […]
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How to Improve Vascular Health – What You Need to Know
Do you know what it means to improve vascular health? The recent addition of a new vascular surgeon to our practice has revealed that many people aren’t clear on what vascular health is and likewise, the vital role vascular surgeons play in healthcare. When I began my training as a surgeon some thirty years ago, […]
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Four Reasons January is the Best Month to Have Surgery
January is the best month to have surgery. Why? Things dramatically change in January. The end-of-year rush in healthcare is over. People are getting back into a routine after the holidays. Things go back to business as usual. January is when we look to reset and get back on track with our health and well-being. […]
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Holiday Safety Tips to Stay Out of My Operating Room
After my dad died, my mom would call my brothers and ask for their help to bring up the Christmas decorations from the basement. They put up the tree for her and decorated all the high spots so she wouldn’t have to climb a ladder. My mom felt uncomfortable going up on ladders. Ladders are […]
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