Dr. Michael Pelekanos’ Story
Helping give ladies back their dignity.
From the days of his childhood in Allentown, Pennsylvania, all Michael Pelekanos, MD, ever wanted to be was a doctor – and that is unusual since no one in his family was in the medical profession.
“I watched Marcus Welby, MD, on television and liked how he got to know and treat his patients,” said the double board-certified urogynecologist with Penn Highlands Urogynecology. “I went to the University of Pennsylvania and was accepted into their medical school. I did my residency at one of the Pittsburgh teaching hospitals where I met my wife and we stayed in the Pittsburgh area.”
He continued, “I came to Penn Highlands Connellsville to perform a unique pelvic floor procedure only performed by two surgeons in Pennsylvania, and not offered at the university. I immediately found that it was the type of hospital and community where I always envisioned practicing – a place where I wanted to be when I retired. At Penn Highlands Connellsville, the hospital has the small community feel but the facilities are state of the art and the staff is great.”
Dr. Pelekanos works with the same staff each time he is in surgery. “The team in the OR is phenomenal,” he said. “They know the instruments I use and anticipate what is needed so everything runs smoothly. Coming from a university healthcare setting, Penn Highlands Connellsville gave him all of the tools needed including top- notch facilities and OR equipment. Working in a small community hospital, I know everyone in the hospital. It feels like my home away from home.”
During his career as an OB/GYN, Dr. Pelekanos delivered more than 6,000 babies including his own grandchild – sharing the joy of the baby’s birth with his son-in-law, who he trained in obstetrics and gynecology.
In 2014, Dr. Pelekanos obtained a specialty in urogynecology. Although he perfected the procedure to treat pelvic floor prolapse, which is a hernia of the pelvic floor, he is very humble.
“I believe that God is the ultimate physician and I am simply a technician. He has blessed me with the knowledge to help women treat a condition which can be painful and embarrassing to them. I help give ladies back their dignity. Penn Highlands Connellsville is where I am meant to be.”
