Paul Wakim
Paul Wakim (born August 31, 1945) is an American Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon. Fellow American Academy of Osteopathic Orthopedic.
Early Life
Dr. Paul Wakim was born on August 31, 1945 in Beirut, the capital and largest city in Lebanon. Dr. Paul Wakim “middle sister developed bone cancer.” He wanted to cause that disease to vanish, and at such, became interested in Orthopedics. From there, being a doctor was Dr. Wakim, “only divine-life to helping people get better.”
Dr. Paul Wakim met his wife, Connie Wakim, at his undergraduate school, Fresno State University. Dr. Paul and Connie Wakim had three children together, Dr. Emile Wakim, Dr. Nicole Wakim, and Mr. Chris Wakim. Dr. Emile Wakim is currently an Orthopedic Surgeon, just like his father. Dr. Nicole Wakim is an Anesthesiologist. Mr. Chris Wakim was a Paratrooper for the United States Army. All three children are helping those who are in need.
Community Involvement
Dr. Wakim sponsored many sport teams in Orange County and helped many patients in treating their bones to working order. The teams Dr. Wakim sponsored were the NHB in 1996 (who were Fiesta Cup Champions, Villa Classic Champions, Celtic Cup Champions, Cerritos Challenge Finalist, Harvest Cup Semifinalist, Best of the Best Semifinalist, and California State Cup Semifinalist), AYSO Region 5 Blue Barracudas 1998, Fountain Valley White Sox 1999, 2003 Rialto P.D. Baker to Vegas Running Team, Bronze Sponsor of 26th Annual benefit Auction of the Boys and Girl Club October 15, 2004, Bronze Sponsor of 27th Annual benefit Auction of the Boys and Girl Club 2005, 2nd Annual Bob White Invitational Youth Karate Tournament of 17-Under March 24, 2007, and etc,. Dr. Paul Wakim opened multiple Medical Corporations called [www.pacificaortho.com Pacifica Orthopedics] in Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino to better assist those who were in need.
Severed Foot Replanted Operation
In The Wichita Eagle and Beacon Newspaper, on Saturday June 4, 1977, section 4C lie ‘Severed Foot Replanted in Rare Surgery’ discussed how a Wichitan man right foot was ‘severed in an industrial accident.’ The Wichitan man, 28 years old Pedro Espinosa, was cleaning on an early Thursday at Sunny, Kansas Flour Mills, and stepped in a loop of moving rotary cable which dragged him and snapped his right foot from his leg. Mr. Espinosa was rushed to St. Francis Hospital. Espinosa's foot was preserved in a bucket filled with iced salt water solution, as the man was transported to the hospital. According to The Wichita Eagle and Beacon Newspaper, “the chances of success were very poor.” The operation lasted 5½ hours on Thursday with a team of physicians lead by 32 year old, Dr. Wakim in St. Francis Hospital. The team connected two arteries (dorsalis pedis & posterior tibial) and four veins using microsurgical tools and magnifying glasses. Since the microsurgical tools were very fine, "[one] cannot see the suture with the [...] eye-,” said Dr. Wakim in The Newspaper article. When the vessels were put together and the foot 'pinked up,' it indicated blood flowed through. Mr. Espinosa’s right foot had been reconnected, but it will take a week to know if the remaining tissues will rejoin.
“Wakim said extremity replants have been done eight to 10 years, but only now have the tools, the technique and the education become well established.”
“…microvascular surgery, with the special equipment required is only two to three years old.”
“[Dr. Paul Wakim] said he thought he could remember reading of only one case of foot replantation. An arm replanted at University of Kansas Medical Center a couple years ago.”
Education
Dr. Paul Wakim proceeded from his hometown to Fresno, California where he was a student senator for the School of Arts and Sciences at Fresno State University for his undergraduate term. In 1972 Dr. Wakim graduated University of Health Sciences in Kansas City, Missouri.
After his graduation, Dr. Wakim continued on to his internship. After he finished an internship at Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan (1973), Dr. Wakim resided in Orthopedic Surgery at St. Francis Hospital and Wesley Regional Medical Centerr in Wichita, Kansas from 1973 to 1976. Other places Dr. Wakim resided were Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children-St. Louis, Missouri, Veteran's Hospital-Wichita, Kansas, and Duke University Microsurgical Reimplantation Workshop. Education was Dr. Wakim key to unlocking a position as an Orthopedic Specialist.
Professional
Dr. Paul Wakim had many clinical, academic, and professional positions before and after he received his Board of Certifications in 1982. The Board of Certifications Dr. Wakim earned was the American Academy of Orthopedic & Neurological Surgeons and American Academy of Osteopathic Orthopedic Specialists.
Some of Dr. Wakim clinical position are Bone and Joint Clinic-Wichita, Kansas,1976-1984, Bone and Joint Clinic-Corpus Christi, Texas, 1984-1991, Chief of Emergency, Coastal Bend Hospital, 1987-1991, Chief of Surgery, Coastal Bend Hospital, 1989-1991, Chief of Staff, Doctors' Hospital, Corpus Christi, Texas 1988-89.
Dr. Wakim was on the School Board of Trustees of Gregory – Texas, as well as the Director of Medical Education and Director of Clinical Clerkships at Corpus Christi, Texas, 1984-88 within his academic positions.
Dr. Wakim professional positions composed of President at Orange County Osteopathic Medicine Association, 1994 & 1995, Exam Commissioner, California Osteopathic Medical Board, 1995, California State Provider Panel, IMC TREATING GUIDELINES, 1995, Chairman, Industrial Medical Committee for OPSC, Board Certified Forensic Examiner, Federal Social Security Services Evaluator, State of California EDD Disability Evaluator, Member of INDUSTRIAL MEDICAL COUNCIL, 1999-2002, and President of Osteopathic Physicians & Surgeons of California, 2001-2002. His current professional positions are Associate Director Medical Unite, Division of Worker's Compensation and a Member Osteopathic Medical Board of California and the Vice President of The International Catholic Maronite Foundation.
The current organizations Dr. Wakim are in are President and Medical Director of Pacifica Orthopedics, American Academy of Sports Medicine, American Academy of Osteopathic Orthopedic Specialists, American Academy of Orthopedic & Neurological Surgeons, and American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics, 2000.