Medical practice woos surgeons

SARASOTA — Two Sarasota surgeons transitioned from their private practice to the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System's First Physician Group this month.

Dr. John Nora and Dr. Russell Novak joined the network of primary and specialty physicians under the new practice name First Physicians Group General Surgery at Medical Arts, according to a press release.

Nora and Novak will perform scheduled and emergency procedures, the release adds.

Nora has been in private practice for 28 years and Novak has been in practice for 31 years at Sarasota Surgical Associates. They specialize in minimally invasive laparoscopic, robotic and traditional surgical treatments for diseases and conditions of the abdomen, breast and soft tissues.

Novak served on the Medical Executive Committee at Sarasota Memorial and as chief of surgery. Nora helped develop Sarasota Memorial's bariatric surgery program, a statement says.

First Physicians Group is a network of more than 170 physicians and advanced practice providers.