HANDS ON: New surgeon making impact at Saint Joseph London
JANIE SLAVEN Editor
Rural Kentuckians are accustomed to traveling for specialized care but the commute for many has decreased significantly in recent years.
Saint Joseph London, for example, welcomed a surgeon in September 2025 that eliminates the need for a trip to Lexington or Louisville.
Dr. Miriam Henry specializes in hand surgery and reconstructive plastic surgery at the London hospital.
Initially business was slower when it came to plastic surgery— something Dr. Henry attributes to a stereotypical view of the practice.
“ I think people … think of cosmetics,” she said,“ but I don’ t really even do cosmetics. I do massive weight loss skin reduction, skin cancers and breast reconstruction.”
Plastic surgery can also help patients with severe scarring such as keloids or from burns. Dr. Henry also works with Saint Joseph’ s wound care clinic to determine when surgery is needed.
“ I probably have a good mix now,” the surgeon said of her practice in regard to patient ages as well as male to female ratio.“ Plastics in general tends to lean more toward women but really, there are a lot of guys who could benefit from it.”
It’ s also stereotypical to
associate cosmetic surgery with elective surgery— something that insurance might not necessarily cover. However, Dr. Henry noted that insurance usually approves surgery in connection to massive weight loss— whether it be through surgery or diet and exercise.
“ Especially if you have things like rashing … or difficulty with daily activities because of the excess skin,” she explained.“ You may have scratches or bruises— places you can’ t see or feel. Getting that skin off can help.”
Patients do need to be at a
Dr. Miriam Henry
stable weight for at least six months before skin reduction surgery can be performed, and it can be closer to 12-18 months if weight loss was achieved through surgery.
Breast reduction is also covered in cases of chronic rashes and / or back pain— particularly if the patient
has to see a chiropractor or physical therapist for neck, shoulder and / or back pain.
“ They really just have to have a mammogram and documentation,” Dr. Henry explained.
From the start, hand surgeries took off with so many painful conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and stenosing tenosynovitis— commonly referred to as“ trigger finger.”
“ It’ s a little more straightforward for people to know to come see me,” Dr. Henry explained.
Dr. Henry can also help stroke patients that suffer contracture or hand spasticity issues.
“ That is a big area that people probably don’ t know that I can help in,” she continued,“ even if it’ s just getting them in touch with the right therapist to get them a splint made so that their hygiene is easier to do.”
You might think that the two specialties wouldn’ t go hand in hand. Dr. Henry explained that there are five subspecialties once a doctor has decided to pursue plastic surgery.
“ I did my extra training in hand surgery,” she said, adding that this subspecialty is common for plastic surgeons and orthopedic surgeons.“ It’ s less common for plastic surgeons to do hand surgery but we train in microsurgery [ involving small nerves and arteries ] so it’ s not that far of a reach to do hand surgery.”
Dr. Henry was attracted to the specialty because hand patients have a tangible problem that can be fixed.
“ It’ s very result oriented,” she said, adding that the change can usually be seen immediately. The same can be said of plastics.“ You can really change their life with one procedure.… People don’ t realize how impaired they
8 l 2026 GOOD HEALTH