AdventHealth Apopka launches colorectal surgery program 

AdventHealth Apopka has launched a colorectal surgery program, bringing specialized treatment for colorectal cancers, inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions to the hospital as the health system expands services alongside Apopka’s growing population. 

The program launched Sept. 14 and marks the first dedicated colorectal surgery presence at AdventHealth Apopka since the hospital opened in 2017, according to Dr. Justin Kelly, a colon and rectal surgeon with AdventHealth Medical Group. 

“What we’re aiming for here is to appropriately match the growth in the population in the community here in Apopka with the growth of health care delivery models,” Kelly said. 

The program is intended to supplement rather than replace care already available in the community, Kelly said, while creating a local referral option for physicians whose patients require specialized colorectal care.  

Patients can be treated for colon, rectal and anal cancers; Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis; diverticulitis; bowel obstructions; and conditions involving colostomies or ostomies. The program also treats anorectal conditions including hemorrhoids, fistulas, fissures, rectal prolapse, pain and bleeding. 

Minimally invasive surgical options include laparoscopic and robotic surgery and transanal minimally invasive surgery, or TAMIS.  

The clinic is held twice a month and can see up to 20 patients during each half-day morning session, for an estimated capacity of about 40 patients per month. AdventHealth Apopka has also allocated operating-room block time for the program as patient volume grows.  

Kelly said referrals have already begun coming in. 

“What that clearly tells us is that there is a need, or an ask, for our subspecialist care here in the Apopka community,” he said.  

Previously, Kelly said, Apopka-area patients seeking specialized colorectal treatment might travel to Tampa, Ocala, Jacksonville, Orlando or other health systems. The new program gives those patients the option of receiving specialized care in Apopka. 

The colorectal surgery program is the latest specialty service added at AdventHealth Apopka this year. In March, the hospital opened an intensive cardiac rehabilitation facility for patients recovering from heart attacks, open-heart surgery and other cardiac conditions. In July, AdventHealth Apopka launched a breast surgery clinic, expanding local access to breast cancer surgery and other specialized breast care. 

Kelly has worked with AdventHealth in Central Florida for more than 12 years and serves as the health system’s Central Florida rectal cancer program director. AdventHealth’s Central Florida rectal cancer program is accredited through the National Accreditation Program for Rectal Cancer, an American College of Surgeons program. 

Kelly said patients diagnosed with rectal cancer are reviewed weekly by a multidisciplinary team involving pathology, radiology, medical oncology, radiation oncology and surgery to develop individualized treatment plans.  

A fellowship-trained colon and rectal surgeon, Kelly earned his medical degree with honors from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and later became AdventHealth Medical Group’s first international fellow in colon and rectal surgery. His specialties include minimally invasive colorectal cancer treatment and surgical treatment of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, according to AdventHealth.  

Kelly also emphasized screening and recognizing symptoms. Colorectal cancer screening generally begins at age 45, although people with family histories or other risk factors may need earlier screening. Symptoms that warrant evaluation can include changes in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and rectal or anal pain.  

People should not automatically assume rectal pain or bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids, Kelly said, because similar symptoms can occur with polyps or cancer.  

“Don’t be afraid to ask,” Kelly said. “Whatever the complaint is, it’s never trivial.”