NATCHEZ — Due to a shortage of surgeons, Natchez’s hospitals have been on the recruiting trail, and it’s just what the doctor ordered.

Two more new faces will soon be joining Natchez Community Hospital’s medical staff in January — Dr. Jay Patel, a general and vascular surgeon, and Dr. Jeffrey Traina, an orthopedic surgeon.

NCH Interim CEO John Lee said the arrival of Patel and Traina is a good move for Natchez health care.

“These are two areas that both hospitals have a shortage in — specialty,” Lee said.

Lee said both surgeons have extensive background and experience in the medical field.

Patel’s background in medicine started at a medical school in Zambia, South Africa.

After medical school, Patel completed two residency programs — one specializing in general surgery at North Oakland Medical Center in Pontiac, Mich., and another at Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich., to become a thoracic (vascular) surgeon.

After completing his vascular surgical residency, Patel became a faculty member at Wayne State.

Patel has worked at a private practice in Pennsylvania for the past two years, but will be joining the NCH team of professionals at the beginning of 2010.

Traina will be arriving in Natchez around the same time as Patel.

Traina began his career as an orthopedic surgeon at Southern Illinois School of Medicine and went on to complete his residency at Wake Forest University.

After serving a fellowship at Children’s Hospital Boston, Traina started a private practice where he has remained until signing a contract with NCH.

“(Both surgeons’) contracts were approved in October, but we’ve been working with both candidates now for about three months,” Lee said.

However, Patel and Traina’s expertise will not only be offered by NCH.

“They are applying for privileges at both hospitals,” Lee said. “I think (hiring Dr. Patel and Dr. Traina) is a great addition to the medical staff, a great addition to the community, and it’s great for patient care.”

Natchez Regional Medical Center hired general surgeon Dr. Hendrik Kuiper last week.

Currently, Natchez’s only general surgeon is Dr. Geoffrey Flattman.