HR0167 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0167 LRB100 11573 MST 22235 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to acknowledge the work of Dr. Raja R. Gopaldas, a cardiothoracic surgeon living in Springfield; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gopaldas, the son of Dr. Muthusamy Chinnapapu and Dr. Singaravelu Gopaldas of Salem, India, completed his training in heart surgery in Texas under the mentorship of renowned heart surgeon, Dr. Denton A. Cooley, and gained his experience in complex aortic and aneurysm surgery under Dr. Joseph S. Coselli; and

WHEREAS, Before arriving in Springfield, Dr. Gopaldas performed outstanding work as a heart surgeon in Texas and then at the University of Missouri, where he was also the Director of Cardiothoracic Research; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gopaldas practices with Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants, one of the largest cardiovascular practice groups in Illinois, where some of his interests include aortic aneurysms, minimally invasive surgery, congenital heart disease, esophageal surgery, esophageal cancer, atrial fibrillation, heart disease in women, and heart transplants; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gopaldas recently reached a milestone having successfully completed 100 minimally invasive cardiac surgeries since beginning to perform the procedure in Springfield in July of 2015; and

WHEREAS, The new minimally invasive cardiac surgery method is performed through one small incision, typically about two to three inches in length, compared to the eight inch incision in the chest, which is needed for the traditional "open surgery" technique; and

WHEREAS, Minimally invasive cardiac surgery to replace heart valves, repair arteries or holes in the heart, or to treat atrial fibrillation provides patients with faster recovery and less pain; and

WHEREAS, Patients receiving minimally invasive cardiac surgery become active much faster because the breastbone is not split and they avoid the complications of inactivity after traditional surgery; and

WHEREAS, The minimally invasive approach leaves the sternum preserved in the event a patient needs another type of heart surgery in the future; and

WHEREAS, The only practice in Illinois, aside from one hospital in Chicago, offering minimally invasive heart procedures is located in Springfield, and some patients travel 200 miles or more for this important, life-saving procedure; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gopaldas strives to deliver the best and most compassionate care to his patients and his work in minimally-invasive cardiac surgery is a major contribution to the health and welfare of people in the Midwest; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Gopaldas has won numerous awards and accolades in the field of surgery, research, innovation, and education; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. Raja R. Gopaldas on his outstanding accomplishments and encourage him to continue his research and innovative work in the field of cardiothoracic surgery, lung, vascular, and cancer surgery, especially minimally invasive surgery; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. Gopaldas as an expression of our esteem and respect.