TeleNeuroSpine Connects Berlin and Alaska

 Kleeman (top) tests the telemedicine technology that will be used to enable CMC NH TeleNeuroSpine at AVH visits. Photo: CMC

Catholic Medical Center (CMC) in Manchester and Androscoggin Valley Hospital (AVH) in Berlin are launching a new service, CMC NH TeleNeuroSpine at AVH. The collaboration will allow Thomas Kleeman, an orthopaedic/spine surgeon and founder of the NH NeuroSpine Institute in Bedford, to see patients at AVH in Berlin from his new office in Alaska. 

“Innovative medical technology isn’t limited to the operating room,” says Kleeman, who will still travel to NH on a regular basis to perform surgery and see patients. “Thanks to telemedicine, we’re able to maintain patient relationships regardless of location and deliver expert care no matter where a physician happens to be at a given moment.” 

North Country patients will be able to schedule office visits with Kleeman from CMC offices at AVH. In addition to having local consultation, patients will remain in their community for related lab work, radiology, selected pain interventions, physical therapy and follow up visits. More acute surgical needs will be referred to CMC.

“We are excited to offer this service to our patients as part of our commitment to increasing access to high-quality care,” says Keith Shute, chief medical officer and Senior VP at AVH.  “People know and trust Dr. Kleeman. It’s a tremendous asset for our patients – many of whom are suffering from severe back pain – to be able to ‘see’ him without having to travel out of the area for that level of expert care.”

Kleeman served multiple roles at CMC where he was president of the Medical Staff and was on the Board of Directors. He and his wife, Anne, relocated to Alaska earlier this year, but he maintains his involvement at the NH NeuroSpine Institute as well as his credentials to practice medicine in NH.

“Dr. Kleeman is a true innovator in his field and we’re pleased that he is continuing to pioneer with us,” says Joseph Pepe, president and CEO of CMC. “Thanks to telemedicine, geography is no longer a barrier – for patients or physicians – in providing care.”