Vally Presbytarian Hospital Welcomes Two New Amputation Prevention Center Physicians

Van Nuys, CA (PRWEB) March 18, 2014

Valley Presbyterian Hospital is pleased to welcome board-certified podiatric surgeons Eric Espensen, DPM, DABMSP, and Babak Kosari, DPM, FACFAS, to its renowned Amputation Prevention Center.

The Amputation Prevention Center at Valley Presbyterian Hospital is among only a handful of facilities nationwide that brings together -- at one site and at the same time -- the multidisciplinary expertise of vascular and podiatric surgeons. This approach is designed to save limbs and manage wounds in one state-of-the-art setting.

"I'm pleased to announce the addition of Drs. Espensen and Kosari to the Amputation Prevention Center team at Valley Presbyterian Hospital," said George Andros, MD, the center's founder and Medical Director. "Their knowledge, experience, and commitment to treating patients will prevent amputations and enhance the lives of many in our community who are suffering from lower extremity complications resulting from diabetes."

Dr. Espensen, who will serve as Co-Director of the center, and Dr. Kosari will work alongside Dr. Andros and Christian Ochoa, MD, Medical Director of Vascular Surgery Services, and the entire Amputation Prevention Center team to provide a multi-disciplinary approach to limb preservation. Both podiatric surgeons have significant training and experience in foot and ankle surgery, wound care, diabetic foot care with an emphasis in diabetic foot surgery, and diabetic wound care.

Dr. Espensen is board-certified by the American Board of Multiple Specialties in Podiatry in Foot & Ankle Surgery and Podiatric Medicine. Most recently, Dr. Espensen was the Chief of Podiatry at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. He also is a biomedical consultant for Century City Hospital.

Dr. Espensen earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from The Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland. He completed his residency in foot and ankle surgery at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, in the Podiatry Division of the Department of Surgery, in Tucson, Ariz. He also completed specialty training in the diabetic foot under the tutelage of David G. Armstrong, a widely known podiatric surgeon, researcher and amputation prevention expert. Dr. Espensen participates as an article reviewer and contributing editor at several leading medical journals, has been published in numerous research papers, and featured in the press for his specialty. He was voted "Best Podiatrist in Burbank" by the city of Burbank in 2012 and 2013.

"I'm pleased and honored to work with Valley Presbyterian Hospital's esteemed limb salvage experts," Dr. Espensen said. "Through collaboration and dedication to excellence, the Amputation Prevention Center at Valley Presbyterian Hospital improves the lives of its patients, saving limbs and bringing hope to those who may have otherwise had a lifetime of disability."

Dr. Kosari is board-certified by the American Board of Podiatric Surgery. He specializes in complex foot and ankle surgeries, foot and ankle deformity correction, foot and ankle trauma, and ankle replacements. He has privileges at several Los Angeles area hospitals, including Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center and Henry Mayo Hospital. Dr. Kosari also is the exclusive doctor for the Summer Professional Basketball League of Los Angeles.

Dr. Kosari earned his Doctor of Podiatric Medicine degree from the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. He completed his foot and ankle/ podiatric surgical residencies at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York, which is affiliated with the highly esteemed Weil Medical College of Cornell University and the Hospital for Special Surgery. He is a fellow at the American College of Foot & Ankle Surgeons, a diplomat of the American Board of Podiatric Medicine, and a member of the American Podiatric Medical Association and the California Podiatric Medical Association.

"Our feet are the foundation of our ability to lead full, mobile lives," Dr. Kosari said. "I've made it my life's work to treat patients who have diabetic foot problems such as infected foot ulcers, osteomyelitis, gangrene of the foot, cellulitis and deep necrotizing fasciitis. The Amputation Prevention Center at Valley Presbyterian Hospital raises the standard of care for patients who are at risk for losing a limb due to a diabetic complication, and I'm honored to join the team in restoring these vulnerable patients to health."

Drs. Espensen and Kosari are accepting new patients and most insurance plans. They can be reached at the Amputation Prevention Center at 877.220.FOOT (3668).

ABOUT VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL
Valley Presbyterian Hospital (VPH) is an independent, nonprofit and nonsectarian hospital serving the medical needs of the San Fernando Valley community for more than 50 years. VPH has grown to become one of the largest acute care hospitals in the Valley region and continues to provide patient-centered care for a healthy community. The 350-bed facility offers advanced technology and a full range of medical services to improve and save lives. For more information, visit http://www.valleypres.org.

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