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Afshin Aminian, M.D. Orthopedic Surgery

A fellowship-trained pediatric orthopedic surgeon internationally recognized for his research into hip dysplasia and scoliosis has joined the CHOC medical staff. Afshin Aminian, M.D., plans to continue his research at CHOC, which includes new re-surfacing surgical techniques to delay the onset of osteoarthritis in patients with hip dysplasia, and less-invasive or non-fusion correctional treatments for scoliosis. His clinical interests also include sports medicine, particularly injury prevention in young athletes.

Dr. Aminian completed his pediatric orthopedics fellowship at San Diego Children?s Hospital, where he assessed different surgical techniques to normalize the mechanics of the hip joint in order to prevent early-onset osteoarthritic changes.

?We now have 15 to 20 years of follow-up results that clearly show these techniques delay the onset of osteoarthritis in the hips of these patients,? he says.

Dr. Aminian also specializes in performing scoliosis surgery using a new thoracoscopic approach involving only three or four small incisions on the side of the chest instead of the conventional open approach. This procedure, which is much less invasive than conventional thoracotomy, is particularly advantageous for patients with rigid scoliosis that cannot be approached with traditional posterior fixation techniques. It also offers a better cosmetic result.

Last May, Dr. Aminian presented his work at the Pediatric Orthopedic Society of North America. In October 2002, he moderated the International Symposium on Pediatric Orthopedics at Tehran University in Iran. His published research most recently appeared in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics.

Prior to joining CHOC, Dr. Aminian was on staff at Morristown Memorial Hospital and Children?s Medical Center in New Jersey. He is a graduate of the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, and completed his internship and orthopedic surgery residency at Northwestern University McGaw Medical Center in Chicago.

Afshin Aminian, M.D., is in practice at Adult & Pediatric Orthopaedic Specialists, at 1310 W. Stewart Drive, Suite 508, in Orange. For more information or to contact him, please call 714-633-2111.

Maryam Gholizadeh, M.D. Pediatric Surgery, including Robotics and Oncology
As an attending pediatric surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan, Maryam Gholizadeh, M.D., saw unusual surgical cases from all over the world. When it came time to begin her private practice, she looked carefully for a similar opportunity.

She found it by joining Children?s Surgical Associates, which includes John German, M.D.; Ali Kaviani, M.D.; and George Mackie, M.D.

?This is ideal for me. I have only been here a short time, but I have already seen several different cases you only see in textbooks,? she says. ?These doctors have seen it all and done it all.?

Although Dr. Gholizadeh specializes in all areas of pediatric surgery, she has a special interest in surgical oncology, particularly the more difficult types, such as neuroblastoma. She also plans to continue the oncology research activities she began at Memorial Sloan Kettering, where she co-authored papers on neuroblastoma and osteosarcoma. Last July, Dr. Gholizadeh was selected to present a poster about metastatic liver resection in the pediatric population to the British Academy of Pediatric Surgeons in Portugal.

Dr. Gholizadeh is board certified in general surgery and certified in using robotics in pediatric surgery. A graduate of the George Washington University Medical School in Washington, D.C., she completed her general surgery residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, where she was voted best chief resident. Dr. Gholizadeh served her pediatric surgery fellowship at Children?s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

To contact Maryam Gholizadeh, M.D., please call 714-289-4704. Children?s Surgical Associates is located at 1120W. LaVeta, #100, Orange.