Separation Anxiety: Surgery On Conjoined Twins
Speakers

		Program Summary
		Speakers

Jacob C. Langer, MD
Rabbi Chaim Rapoport
Rachel Spitzer, MD

Jacob C. Langer, MD

Professor, Department of Surgery
Chief of General Surgery, Hospital for Sick Children

Dr. Jacob C. Langer was educated and trained at the University of Toronto and the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He did research fellowships at the University of California, San Francisco and McMaster University, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health, the Medical Research Council of Canada, and the McLaughlin Foundation.

Dr. Langer was Assistant Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at McMaster University and a pediatric surgeon at the Children's Hospital at Chedoke-McMaster from 1989 to 1992. He then moved to St. Louis and became Associate Professor of Surgery and Pediatrics at Washington University and a pediatric surgeon at St. Louis Children's Hospital from 1992 to 1999. He came back to Canada in 1999 to become Professor of Surgery at the University of Toronto, and Chief of the Division of General Surgery at the Hospital for Sick Children. He is also the inaugural holder of the Robert M. Filler Chair in Pediatric Surgery.

In 1995, Dr. Langer won the prestigious Innovative Scientist of the Year award from the St. Louis Academy of Science. He has written 175 papers in peer-reviewed journals and 34 book chapters on a variety of topics. His primary interests involve the natural history and management of prenatally diagnosed congenital anomalies, (particularly abdominal wall defects and congenital diaphragmatic hernia), the development of new ways of managing children with Hirschsprung disease and other intestinal disorders, and new advances in the field of minimally invasive pediatric surgery. He has been on the faculty of the Washington University Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery and the McMaster University Centre for Minimal Access Surgery. He has been on the Medical Advisory Boards of the American Pseudo-obstruction and Hirschsprung's Disease Society and the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Society. He is a member of the Editorial Boards of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, Pediatric Endosurgery and Innovative Techniques, and Pediatric Surgery International. He has also sat on the Fetus and Newborn Committee of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Fetal Therapy, Informatics, Program, and Critical Care Committees of the American Pediatric Surgical Association.

Dr. Langer has been previously involved in the separation of three other sets of conjoined twins: two during his training under Dr. Robert Filler, (previous chief of surgery at Sick Kids and a world expert on conjoined twins), and one several years ago at Sick Kids.

Dr. Langer is married to Ferne Sherkin-Langer, a former Sick Kids nurse and now a prominent Toronto realtor. They have three children and three dogs. In his spare time, Dr. Langer skis, bikes, plays guitar, involves himself in the Jewish community as a member of the Board of Directors of Kolel, and travels with his family.

Back to top

Rabbi Chaim Rapoport

Rabbi Chaim Rapoport was born in Manchester, England, in 1963 where his father served as the Rabbi of one of the largest synagogues - Higher Crumpsall Synagogue - for some 40 years. After his school years, Rabbi Rapoport attended the Yeshivot of Manchester, Gateshead, Torat Emet in Jerusalem and the central Lubavitch Yeshivah in New York. After receiving his Rabbinic diploma (Semichah) and his marriage in 1984 he continued his studies in the States. In 1987 he went with his wife Rachel Clara to join the community Kollel in Melbourne, Australia, where - in addition to his post graduate studies - he officiated and lectured in several communities, including the far flung Launceston in Tasmania.

In 1989, Rabbi Rapoport took up position as head of the Leeds Kollel, a position which he occupied until the end of 1994. In the years 1994 - 1997 Rabbi Rapoport served as Minister in Birmingham and the Head of the Birmingham Rabbinic Board. In September 1997 Rabbi Rapoport assumed his current position as Rabbi to the Ilford Synagogue, Beehive Lane. In addition to his regular lectures at Ilford Synagogue, Rabbi Rapoport has lectured widely on a broad spectrum of issues. He also gives a weekly Shiur to the United Synagogue Rabbinate at the London School of Jewish Studies.

In 1998 Rabbi Rapoport was appointed as member of the Chief Rabbi's Cabinet and Advisor to the Chief Rabbi on matters of Jewish Medical Ethics. Rabbi Rapoport is the author of several books and articles in both Hebrew and English.

Back to top

Rachel Spitzer, MD

Resident, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario

Dr. Rachel Spitzer was an undergrad at McGill University in Montreal and attended Medical School at McMaster University in Hamilton. She is currently is her 4th year of residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Toronto. She has an interest in international health that has taken her all over the world including: Uganda, Nepal and twice to Zimbabwe. She has plans to pursue a masters in public health with a focus on international health.

Dr. Spitzer has worked with Ve'ahavta, a non-profit organization that works though the Canadian Jewish community to respond to global crises through international and local humanitarian and relief programs. Through her work with Ve'ahavta, Dr. Spitzer researched mother-to-child transmission of HIV, HIV care in pregnancy and other aspects of maternal health in developing countries.

During a three month elective at the Salvation Army Howard in Glendale, Zimbabwe. Dr. Spitzer worked with Toronto-trained Obstetrician and Gynecologist Dr. Paul Thistle where she first encountered the twins' mother. The mother was advised that she was carrying conjoined twins by ultrasound at 32 weeks and Dr. Spitzer delivered Tinashe and Tinotenda by C-section at 36 weeks last July.

After getting in touch with Sick Kids and receiving funding approval from the Herbie Fund, the twins finally arrived in Toronto on December 2nd.

In her spare time, Dr. Spitzer enjoys pottery classes, skiing, and the arts. She is also involved in the Jewish community and loves to travel wherever and whenever she can.

Back to top