ORLANDO, Fla., July 13, 2009 – Nationally recognized and well-respected pediatric surgeon, Dr. W. Raleigh Thompson, recently joined the Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospital for Children as Medical Director of the Pediatric Surgical Program, to help develop it as a destination program with an emphasis on laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery. He will also serve in a leadership and training role as Medical Director of Pediatric Surgery for the Nicholson Center for Surgical Advancement. Dr. Thompson joins Dr. Christopher Anderson and Dr. Bryan Weidner as part of the Advanced Pediatric Surgical Specialists practice in Florida Physicians Medical Group.

Specifically, Dr. Thompson will offer patient services such as general head, neck, thoracic and abdominal surgery; orchiopexy; pediatric surgical oncology; chest wall deformities; hernia/hydrocele repair and prenatal counseling.

Dr. Thompson completed his general surgery residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., in 1987 and his pediatric surgery fellowship at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., in 1990. During his career, he served at several Navy hospitals before beginning his tenure in Miami. Before joining the Florida Hospital team, he was an Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief for the Division of Pediatric Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine, and was active at Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Holtz Children’s Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital and Miami Children’s Hospital. Dr. Thompson is certified with the American Board of Surgery with specialty certification in pediatric surgery.

“We are thrilled about the addition of Dr. Thompson to our medical staff, as we continue to establish Florida Hospital for Children as a leader in advanced surgical services and patient experience,” said Marla Silliman, administrator of Florida Hospital for Children. “The expertise he brings to our team of pediatric surgeons will certainly enhance the program to serve the Central Florida community and beyond.”

For more information, contact Florida Hospital Media Relations at 407-303-8217.