Surgeon saw his future through a la~ aroscope JEWISH RENAISSANCE President/Publisher Editorial Arthur M. Horwitz Editor Fulfillment circulationdesk®thejewishnews.com ahorwitz@thejewishnews.com Robert A. Sklar Circulation Supervisor rsklar@thejewishnews.com Barb Yessian News/Life/Business Group: Circulation/ Customer Service Exec Alan Hitsky Fenton Jones Chief Operating Meet one of the faces of success Robert M. Elkus, M.D., is a board-certified general surgeon at Henry Ford Medical Center — West Bloomfield, and a member of the Henry Ford Medical Group. He peiforms most of his surgeries at the West Bloomfield medical center. Dr. Robert Elkus decided on his surgical specialty during his third year at the University of Michigan Medical School. "Once I was out of residency, a demonstration of the new laparo- scopic cholecystectomy, or gall- bladder removal, was scheduled. I was so excited that I arrived an hour early to talk to the doctor who had come to teach it," said Dr. Elkus. "Afterward, I told my fiancée, `Honey, I have seen the future and it's through a laparoscoper" Most operations he performs are gallbladder, hernia and non-cos- metic breast surgery. Since joining Henry Ford in 199o, he has performed over L000 laparoscopic gallbladder surgeries. Dr. Elkus' surgical expertise led him to experiment with improving medical equipment. In 1995, he patented an instrument used in laparoscopic surgery, which allows a surgeon to place a suture to tie off a structure or organ. example from years ago when a patient was scheduled for a mastectomy. In the pre-opera- tive area, she confided to a nurse her worry about how she would look after sur- gery. Pulling the privacy curtain, the nurse, who is no longer at Henry Ford, showed the patient her own scar. Dr. Elkus had done the same procedure on her. "I treat my patients the way I would want my family members to be treated," he stresses. "In fact, I often operate on colleagues and their family members, which I consider a great honor." He also feels its important that he and his staff try to allay any concerns the patients may have about surgery. He cites an F. Kevin Browett keving‘jewish.com Advertising Sales Advertising Director Meg Lyczak mlyczakthejewishnews.com Account Executives Wendy Flusty Elizabeth Friedman Jan Haskell Kathy Johnson Melissa Litvin Heidi Martin Rick Nessel Dharlene Norris Caren Osrin June Thiesmeyer Associate Editor ahitsky0Dthejewishnews.com Keri Guten Cohen Story Development Editor kcohen@thejewishnews.com Elizabeth Applebaum Contributing Editor eapplebaumg, thejewishnews. corn Harry Kirsbaum Staff Writer/Columnist hkirsbaum@thejewishnews.com Shelli Liebman Dorfman Published by: Jewish Renaissance Media Chairman Michael H. Steinhardt President Arthur M. Horwitz Business Offices Arts Group: Craig R. Phipps Customer Service Assts. Gail Zimmerman Editorial Director Maya Brodsky Jan Shain Arts Editor gzimmermangthejewishnews.com Robert A. Sklar F. Kevin Browett Controller Billing Coordinator Pamela Turner IT Director Deanna Luoma Platinum Group: Lynne Konstantin Marketing & Circulation Director Hazel Bender Editor lkonstantin@thejewishnews.com Kelli Baird Creative Services creative@thejewishnews.com Gail Zimmerman Departments Executive Editor gzimmermangthejewishnews.com General Offices 248-354-6060 Copy Team Group: Circulation 248-351-5174 Michelle Sheridan talk, but to do the walk," he says. "I ran the Detroit half marathon last fall and I plan to run the full marathon this coming October. I also participate in duathlons, which are run/bike/run events. Weather permitting, I like to bike to work when I can. Creative Director Production Director Deborah Schultz Creative Services Cathy Ciccone Nicole Browett David Sachs Senior Copy Editor dsachs@thejewishnews.com Classified Advertising 248-351-5100 Fax: 248-304-0049 Sy Manello Deadline: Tuesday, 2 p.m. Anne Lada Donna Pace Edyta Skiba Todd Skiba Melissa Woodington Copy Team Assistant smanello@thejewishnews.com Leonard Poger Display Advertising Fax: 248-304-0032 Deadline: Monday, 4 p.m. Copy Editor Ipoger@thejewishnews.com Editorial Fax: 248-304-8885 Traffic Coordinator Danny Raskin Wilhelmina Vickers Senior Columnist dannyraskinCa)sbcglobal.net Deadline: All public and social announcements must be type- written, double-spaced and received by noon Wednesday, eight days prior to desired date of publication. • Photography Staff Photographer Angie Baan Columnists George Cantor Robin Schwartz Ronit Pinto Subscriptions: JN Online Interactive Media Director Suzanne Sherman Dr. Elkus and his family live in Bloomfield Township. They are affiliated with Congregation Chaye Olam. Adult Advisory Board Chief Operating Officer "It's important to not only do the -"My wife surprised me with a piano for my birthday years ago, and now we have two," he says. "Both of our • sons have become quite accom- plished, and I frequently play duets with them. It's a tremendous experience to make music with your kids." Young Gayle Friedman Gold Jordan Glass Robin Schwartz Brad "Bubba" Urdan Staff Writer sdorfman@thejewishnews.com Dr. Elkus' focus on a healthy lifestyle impacts his personal life as well. That includes running or biking several times a week. Dr. Elkus also enjoys music. In regard to his patients, the doctor says he always maintains a caring attitude, which he considers to be of vital importance. Officer Collection Analyst "My wife, who is a triathlete, and I stress eating right to our kids. As parents, we try to set a good exam- ple for them. Our kids are soccer players, so they're very active as well. JNonline.us DETROIT JEWISH NEWS ssherman@jewish.com Online Store Manager Shari Zingle store©jewish.com 1 year 2 years Per year out-of-state Per year foreign $56 $99 $75 $142 Detroit Jewish News 29200 Northwestern Highway Suite 110 Southfield, MI 48034 ©copyright 2006 Detroit Jewish News Our JN Mission The Jewish News aspires to communicate news and opinion that's useful, engaging, enjoyable and unique. It strives to reflect the full range of diverse viewpoints while also advocating positions that strengthen Jewish unity and continuity. We desire to create and maintain a challenging, caring, enjoyable work environment that encourages creativity and innovation. We acknowledge our role as a responsible, responsive member of the community. Being com- petitive, we must always strive to be the most respected, outstand- ing Jewish community publication in the nation. Our rewards are informed, educated readers, very satisfied advertisers, contented For more information or to make an appointment call .1-800-HENRYFORD or visit MU' Web site towtv.henrytbrd.com 10 March 16 • 2006 employees and profitable growth.