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# Saint John's Health Center Hosts Transfusion-Free Medicine Symposium Feb. 18
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/021606-story-20060216-2/
- Published: 2006-02-16T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:16:33.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Health, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*By Daily Press staff*

Medical care doesn’t have to involve blood transfusions. Saint John’s Health Center invites all interested in medical care without blood transfusion to an upcoming symposium on “transfusion free medicine and surgery.”

Featured topics and speakers include: I The amazing functions of blood with Olga M. Olevsky, M.D. I When angioplasty and stenting is the right choice with Peter Pelikan, M.D. I Success in major surgery without blood transfusions with Manuel R. Estioko, M.D. and John M. Robertson, M.D.

I How to access quality care without blood transfusion with Michael Miranda, manager of transfusion free medicine.

Complementary lunch will be served and free parking is available with validation. The symposium will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Doubletree Guest Suites, 1707 Fourth St., in Santa Monica.

Medical and surgical care with out blood transfusion is now available at Saint John’s Health Center in multiple specialty areas. Transfusion-free surgery is available at the Heart Institute through Saint John’s Transfusion-Free Medicine and Surgery Center. Under the direction of the center’s medical director, cardiothoracic surgeon Manuel R. Estioko, M.D., patients now have the option of undergoing open heart surgery without blood transfusion. As one of the earliest pioneers in the field, Dr. Estioko has been performing surgery without blood transfusion for more than 25 years. In open heart surgery, Dr. Estioko and his team employ precise surgical techniques and strategies to limit blood loss and avoid bleeding tendencies, while emphasizing total attention to all phases of patient care.

Space is limited. RSVP by Feb. 10 by contacting Michael Miranda at (310) 829- 8789 or Dr. Manuel R. Estioko (310) 829-8618.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on February 16, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/021606.pdf?ref=smdp.com)