Tuesday, March 16, 2010 Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital (NVRH) in St. Johnsbury, VT announces the successful recertification of Martin S. Walko, MD, FACS. Dr. Walko has been in practice since completing training in 1999, and has been in practice at NVRH since 2005. Dr. Walko was first certified by the American Board of Surgery in 2000.
The announcement was made by Paul R. Bengtson, FACHE, MBA, MA. Bengtson, who has been CEO of Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital for many years, endorses ongoing physician education as a means of improving health care. “It is with great pride that we announce this accomplishment by Dr. Walko,” said Bengtson. “Dr. Walko’s recertification with the American Board of Surgery is a direct reflection of his continued commitment toward excellent patient care and high surgical standards. To recertify is truly an accomplishment and one of which we at NVRH are extremely proud.”
Dr. Walko earned his Bachelor’s degree in biology at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He worked as a microbiologist in the food industry while working towards his Master’s degree in Microbiology. He then decided on a career change and entered Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of The University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey. After earning his Doctorate in Medicine in 1994, he became a resident in general surgery at Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington, PA. After completing his surgery training in 1999, Dr. Walko and his wife, Carolyn, moved to the St. Johnsbury area, where he has practiced since. Dr. Walko is a Fellow of the American College of Surgery and is chairman of the Surgical Care Improvement Project committee at NVRH.
The American Board of Surgery (www.absurgery.org) is an independent, non-profit organization founded in 1937, for the purpose of certifying surgeons who have met the highest standards of education, training, and knowledge in the field of surgery. Board certification by the ABS must be renewed at least every 10 years, although a surgeon is eligible to test after 7 years. Many surgeons retest sooner than 10 years to demonstrate that their ongoing education commitment and surgical practice is keeping step with the current practice of surgery.
Dr. Walko practices general surgery at NVRH, including colon and rectal cancer surgery, breast and skin cancer surgery as well as gall bladder and hernia surgery. He also performs laparoscopic procedures, and both esophagogastroduodenoscopy (upper endoscopy) and colonoscopy. Appointments are by referral and can be made at 802-748-7322.
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