Tom Neal, RN, MBA, MHA, is the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) of Highlands-Cashiers Hospital. Neal is a proven leader with more than 30 years of progressive healthcare experience. Prior to his role at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, he served as Chief Executive Officer of both Berwick Hospital Center in Berwick, Pennsylvania, and Greenbriar Valley Medical Center, Ronceverte, West Virginia, which are each part of Community Health Systems (CHS). Tom has an MBA from the University of Louisville, MHA from the California College of Health Sciences, BSN from Regents College of New York and an ADN from Jefferson Community College.
As more people choose to remain active throughout their lives, the need for orthopedic care continues to grow. Whether recovering from an injury, managing arthritis, or seeking relief from chronic pain, patients increasingly want access to highly specialized care without the inconvenience of traveling long distances.
At Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, we believe our community deserves access to exceptional orthopedic expertise. That commitment is reflected in the addition of two highly respected orthopedic surgeons whose specialized training expands the advanced orthopedic services available right here on the Plateau. We are proud to welcome Dr. James Post and Dr. John Sloboda to our medical staff, bringing nationally recognized expertise in upper extremity, hip, and knee surgery to the communities we serve.
Dr. James Post specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery, treating conditions that affect everything from the fingertips to the shoulder. His expertise includes carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, fractures, arthritis, tendon disorders, and other conditions that can significantly affect a person’s ability to work, remain active, and enjoy everyday life. With more than three decades of experience, our community is fortunate to have a surgeon of his caliber.
One of the most exciting advances Dr. Post brings to Highlands-Cashiers Hospital is endoscopic carpal tunnel release. Unlike traditional open surgery, this minimally invasive procedure uses a very small incision and specialized instrumentation to relieve pressure on the median nerve. Patients often experience less postoperative discomfort, smaller scars, faster recovery, and an earlier return to work and the activities they enjoy. Offering this advanced procedure locally allows patients to receive leading-edge care without the burden of traveling outside the region.
Dr. Post also utilizes advanced arthroscopic shoulder techniques and modern fracture fixation methods that improve outcomes while helping patients recover more quickly. His expertise reflects our commitment to offering specialized orthopedic care that combines advanced techniques with the convenience of receiving treatment in our own community.
Complementing this expertise is Dr. John Sloboda, a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in adult hip and knee reconstruction. Following his orthopedic residency, Dr. Sloboda completed an Adult Reconstruction Fellowship at Virginia Tech Carilion, where he received an additional year of highly specialized training focused exclusively on complex hip and knee replacement and joint preservation.
Dr. Sloboda’s practice includes primary hip and knee replacement, arthroscopy, and complex revision procedures for patients whose previous joint replacements require correction. His focus is restoring mobility, relieving pain, and helping patients return to the activities that make life enjoyable.
After completing his fellowship, Dr. Sloboda served on the faculty at Carilion Clinic, where he helped train future fellowship surgeons in adult reconstruction while caring for patients with complex joint conditions. Bringing that level of experience to Highlands-Cashiers Hospital further strengthens our ability to provide advanced orthopedic care for our region.
An important part of Dr. Sloboda’s approach is the use of modern rapid recovery protocols that prepare patients before surgery and support earlier rehabilitation afterward. By optimizing medical conditions before surgery, incorporating physical therapy before and after surgery, and using multimodal pain management strategies, patients often recover more comfortably while reducing their reliance on opioid medications.
Dr. Sloboda also performs muscle-sparing procedures, including quad-sparing knee replacements and direct anterior hip replacements. These techniques minimize disruption to surrounding muscles and soft tissues, allowing many patients to experience less pain, faster healing, and a quicker return to normal activities. For appropriately selected patients, these advances may even allow them to return home the same day as surgery.
The addition of Dr. Post and Dr. Sloboda represents more than the recruitment of two exceptional surgeons; it reflects Highlands-Cashiers Hospital’s continued investment in expanding access to specialized healthcare services. Our vision is to ensure residents of Highlands, Cashiers, and the surrounding communities have access to advanced orthopedic care delivered by highly trained specialists using modern, evidence-based techniques.
As healthcare continues to evolve, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital remains committed to bringing outstanding physicians, innovative treatment options, and compassionate care to the communities we serve. By investing in specialized expertise today, we are ensuring our patients have access to exceptional orthopedic care for years to come.
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