Franciscan Skemp Arcadia Hospital has announced the expansion of surgical services

Hospital administrator Robert Tracey said the hospital has added surgeon Dr. Seth Smith, something it has been working on for sometime.

"We feel that Dr. Smith, of Evergreen Surgical, will offer an additional choice for our patients, and will provide surgical procedures not currently being performed in Arcadia," Tracey said.

Members of Evergreen Surgical, located in Eau Claire, perform surgery at hospitals in many area hospitals. including Eau Claire, Black River Falls, Neillsville and, now, Arcadia.

Tracey said Smith will provide a full-range of general surgical procedures at the Arcadia hospital on the first and third Tuesday of every month. His day will be divided between performing surgeries and clinic consultations.

Tracey said Smith is a general surgeon and as such specializes in the treatment of certain problems of the abdomen, chest and neck. including cancer, infections and trauma.

The common conditions Dr. Smith would care for are hernias, breast problems and many diseases related to the skin and blood vessels" he said. "He also performs laparoscopic surgery, a type of surgery done with special instruments through tiny incisions."

Tracey said this kind of surgery is used to treat problems with the gallbladder, appendix, lungs and treatment of heartburn and hernias.

Smith received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha He completed his surgical residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. He is board certified by The American Board of Surgery.