Horizon Health Expands Orthopedics Team

Welcomes Dr. Harish Kempegowda, spine surgeon

Harish Kempegowda, MD, has joined the orthopedics team at Horizon Health, adding spine surgery to the comprehensive list of services currently available.

Together with Ronald Wheeler, MD, orthopedic surgeon, and Angela Hamilton, nurse practitioner, Horizon Health offers full-service orthopedics care for common and complex conditions.

Dr. Kempegowda, who goes by Dr. Harish, treats a variety of orthopedic conditions, from carpel tunnel to fractures and sports-related injuries. He offers minimally-invasive surgery and non-surgical solutions. He also performs total joint replacements for knees, hips, and shoulders.

“Dr. Harish is a tremendous addition to our orthopedics department,” said Oliver Smith, Horizon Health president & CEO. “Our goal has always been to provide healthcare services that people need close to home. Dr. Harish’s expertise in orthopedics and spine surgery will serve our communities extremely well.”

As an orthopedic surgeon who also specializes in spine surgery, Dr. Harish treats all types of back- and neck-related conditions.

“My main goal is to help patients get back to their normal lifestyle doing what they like to do pain-free, and being more independent,” Dr. Harish said. “I offer the same treatment that I would use on my family members or close friends, providing the highest quality of care patients deserve and putting them on a meaningful, healing pathway.”

Dr. Harish treats stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), herniated/bulging discs, arthritis/inflammation of the spine, scoliosis (curvature of the spine), fractures, deformities, and much more. His philosophy is to exhaust all non-surgical options before performing surgery, which can include injections and physical therapy.

“Eight of 10 people will have back or neck pain in their lifetime,” Dr. Harish explained. “In general, 80 percent of them will get better without surgery.”

Dr. Harish was born and raised in India. Prior to Horizon Health, he worked as an orthopedic and spine surgeon in Marion, Illinois. He attended Mysore Medical College & Research Institute in India. He completed fellowships in orthopedic surgery, spine surgery, and sports medicine in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Maryland.

Dr. Harish and his wife, Sowmya, live in Paris with their daughters: Vibha, 2, and Saanvi, 6 weeks.

“I’ve always wanted to raise my family in a rural community,” he said. “The people here are very warm and welcoming. And, I believe Horizon Health is growing in a much-needed direction by offering healthcare services that are important to the community.”

In his free time, Dr. Harish enjoys playing tennis, ping pong, cricket, swimming, cooking, singing, and listening to music.
To make an appointment with Dr. Harish, call 217-466-4714.