Longview Regional surgeon develops technique now used nationwide
Dr. Babajide Ogunseinde, a Harvard-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with Longview Orthopedics Regional Clinics, collaborated to design a unique posterior medial to lateral technique (PML) for treating sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
This technique originated at Longview Regional Medical Center and is now an FDA-approved method of sacroiliac joint dysfunction treatment.
"This minimally invasive approach makes it easy to address bilateral sacroiliac dysfunction with one surgery and with a small 2-centimeter incision," Longview Regional said in a statement. "This new minimally invasive procedure offers East Texas patients' reassurance of the commitment to stay on the cutting-edge of treatment options. This technique has been approved for nationwide teaching to spinal surgeons that perform sacroiliac joint fusions."
The technology offers a specially designed, 3D-printed implant that stabilizes and fuses excessive motions of the sacroiliac joints, as well as simplifies minimally invasive sacroiliac (SI) joint fusions -- all with minimal soft tissue trauma and minimal to no blood loss in surgery, according to the hospital.
"This advanced technology and technique have proven successful in producing early pain relief after surgery with no weight bearing restrictions post operatively, offering improved quality of life where many other treatments and surgical options have proven unsuccessful," Longview Regional said.
NET RMA appoints engineering director
The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) has announced Deanne Simmons as its first director of engineering.
Simmons' major responsibilities include directing and overseeing NET RMA's engineering operations and helping to evaluate the viability of future projects presented to the agency for consideration, according to the agency. She also will assist in defining road strategies that optimize asset utilization while providing customers with the lowest possible cost and developing a long-range plan for NET RMA.
Simmons has more than 30 years of service at the Texas Department of Transportation.
After graduating in 1994 from Texas A&M University with a civil engineering degree, she started her TxDOT career in the Atlanta District's Planning Office.
Simmons obtained her professional engineering license in 2005 and became the advance planning engineer in 2006. In 2018, TxDOT appointed her as the Atlanta District's director of transportation and development.
Starting in 2022, she worked with the TxDOT director of project development, where she helped many divisions and all the districts on initiatives to improve the delivery of transportation projects across the state.
"We're confident that Deanne's expertise will enhance NET RMA's capabilities and help the agency achieve its goals of moving transportation and infrastructure forward in the East Texas region," said Gary Halbrooks, chairman of NET RMA. "Deanne has proven that she is a well-respected leader in transportation and infrastructure initiatives in Texas. She brings a ton of knowledge and in-depth understanding of the industry which will ultimately further the NET RMA and its reach."
"I'm honored and humbled to be working with the employees of the NET RMA," Simmons said. "I'm looking forward to utilizing my experience to continue to make an impact on transportation in the region."
The NET RMA is an independent government agency created to accelerate the development of transportation projects in Northeast Texas. The agency's mission is in cooperation with its regional partners to provide solutions to expedite infrastructure and mobility projects that will improve the quality of life, enhance the regional economy and assure efficient mobility in the North East Texas Region.
The NET RMA is governed by a 21-member board of directors that represents each of the 14-member counties: Bowie, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Kaufman, Panola, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Van Zandt and Wood.