Clean Room | Medical Photography

The term “clean room” may evoke many a childhood memory. Channeling the days of chores and allowances, the very existence of one’s social status depended upon whether or not their bedroom floor was free from smelly piles of laundry. But for hospitals, this set of words takes “clean” to a whole new level.

A clean room is an enclosed, sterile area in which contaminates are heavily controlled, and in some instances completely eliminated, to ensure the tools being prepped there remain completely aseptic and free from germs. These rooms are used for packaging small surgical tools (scalpels, forceps, etc.) which go on to be used, in all their sanitary splendor, by trusted surgeons all across the globe.

This panorama depicts perfectly what an active clean room looks like. Sometimes done in multiple shots, a panorama stitches together images with slightly overlapping fields of view to produce one final image. Because of their long, rectangular shape, panoramas are often used as banners, both online and in print.

The Doctor and His Robot | Healthcare Photography

Dr. Francis Sutter has been a practicing heart surgeon for nearly 30 years. A graduate of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, he is currently a master surgeon at the Lankenau Medical Center, part of MainLine Health. He’s received countless accolades and honors in his years as a surgeon and while his repertoire is quite impressive, what brought us to shoot Dr. Sutter is perhaps most striking of all: his sidekick is a robot.

The daVinci Surgical System uses a surgeon-controlled console to perform complex surgeries in a less invasive way. Using this amazing tool, the doctor is able to work inside of the patient in a way using his hands would never allow. This truly amazing technology has changed the way medical professionals and patients alike view these surgeries.

Witnessing such a procedure, let alone filming it, would be amazing for any person. But in the world of medical photography, for me, this was a true privilege. The film and resulting images were the centerpiece of a charity gala celebrating Lankenau Medical Center’s 150th anniversary. Along with the debut of the center’s new logo, the night commemorated 150 years of excellence in patient care and advancements in medicine. Over 550 supporters gathered at the Philadelphia Museum of Art to celebrate and view the film, which can be seen here: http://www.mainlinehealth.org/lankenaugala

TBT | A Little Bit Will Cure You

Homeopathic remedies are having a moment. More and more, people are turning to natural and organic ways to prevent and treat common ailments. These tried and true concoctions have been providing healing and promoting wellness for generations and despite the controversy they cause, they’re here to stay. 

This throwback still life was shot on 4x5 transparency film for Boiron, the largest manufacturer of homeopathic products in the world. Professionally styled in our studio, this medicine cabinet image was used for trade shows print and collateral materials advocating holistic health and wellness.

Teaming Up on New Medicial Innovatins

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to work with Jonathan Male, a Principal and Executive Creative Director of REALITYRx, a global boutique specializing in healthcare communications. Together we created a series of images for NuTech®, a leading biologics and medical device company. NuTech is in a launch mode for Affinity®, the first and only fresh amniotic allograft which provides highly bioactive healing. Other allografts that we captured images for included NuCel®, an allograft derived from human amnion and amniotic fluid, which provides an enhanced environment for tissue growth, repair and healing. Another amniotic allograft we worked with is NuShieldTM, which is readily available due to its room temperature storage and long shelf life, and is widely used as a wound covering for soft tissue injuries, as well as a barrier for the protection of tendons, nerves and dura. Another innovation that we photographed is Matrix, an allograft known for its natural osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties. Matrix is a cancellous and demineralized cortical mixture derived from the same donor, which can be used as a bone void filler. 

Just an amazing new world.  Seemingly every project I do has an element that breaks the norm. It’s always exciting to see these innovations in the medical and healthcare industry up close and personal, talk to the product managers, experience their excitement and be part of a roll out of the next big thing. 

Doctor / Patient Relationship

The relationship between doctor and patient is one of the most unique we will encounter in our time here on earth.  From the most world-renowned surgeon to the first year med student, any medical professional will agree that an excellent rapport with patients is essential to success in the field of healthcare.

This touching moment between caregiver and patient was photographed on location at the Brandywine Center in Coatesville, PA. The mutual respect between these two men could be felt; it had such presence. In fact, the energy was so relaxed, I could almost hear this man’s heartbeat.

This photo can be seen on the ChesPenn Health Services website as part of the providers’ bios page. ChesPenn Health Services, one of four wellness driven facilities located within the Center for Family Health at Coatesville at Brandywine Center, provides medical care to low-income families and individuals who otherwise might not have these services available to them.