People on the Move is a rundown of recent hirings, promotions, appointments and other notable movements by professionals in the state. If you’re interested in submitting an entry, please contact news@delawarebusinesstimes.com.
Rawle & Henderson announced Loreto P. Rufo has joined the firm as the new managing partner in its Wilmington, Delaware office. Rufo represents small and large businesses, local and international corporations, as well as medical health care providers, accountants, attorneys and individuals. He brings experience in all areas of civil litigation including complex multi-party matters, professional and medical negligence, and premises liability.
“Larry’s practice focus has been on personal attention to individual client needs and tenacious representation in achieving client goals with diligence and integrity,” Executive Committee member John McMeekin said. “We are excited to welcome him to the Rawle & Henderson team.”
Rufo is a member of the bar in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. He has served as defense coordinating counsel and defense medical coordinator in Delaware for all asbestos litigation from 2002 to the present.
Beebe Healthcare introduced an orthopaedic surgeon and four new hospitalists to its medical staff.
Michal Klek, MD, specializes in hip and knee care, offering total, partial, and revision joint replacement procedures.
Dr. Klek performs procedures at Beebe and practices independently in the community at Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates. He sees patients in offices located in Lewes, Millsboro, and Seaford.
Dr. Klek leverages advanced minimally invasive and robotic surgical approaches to help ensure excellent clinical outcomes and quicker recoveries for his patients. He performs total joint reconstruction including Mako robotic direct anterior hip replacement, kinematically aligned total knee replacement and partial knee replacement, and complex revisions of failed hip and knee replacements.
“As an orthopaedic surgeon, my goal is to understand how a traumatic injury or chronic pain is impacting a patient’s quality of life, and then to develop a solution,” Dr. Klek said. “Minimally invasive and robotic approaches to orthopaedic care have truly transformed the patient experience, both during and after surgery. These approaches streamline the process of care and make it possible for patients to get back to the things that are most important to them, quicker and easier.”
Dr. Klek earned his medical degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York. He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Penn State Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, followed by fellowship training at Geisinger Medical Center in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he focused on adult reconstructive surgery. Dr. Klek is a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons and has contributed to the advancement of orthopaedic surgery through numerous research experiences, process improvement projects, and professional presentations.
Vittoria Boni, MD, serves as a hospitalist and is also a primary care physician at Beebe. As a primary care physician, she offers comprehensive care for patients of all ages with a wide range of clinical care needs – from women’s healthcare services and pediatric care to dermatology, preventive care exams, mental health, suboxone therapy, and LGBTQ health, such as gender affirming care. Dr. Boni also focuses on a healthy lifestyle and weight management.
Dr. Boni is a graduate of the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, located in Philadelphia. Upon completion of her medical degree, she relocated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania to pursue family medicine residency training at Lancaster General Hospital. While pursuing her residency training, Dr. Boni devoted her time to a number of clinical research projects including the Downtown Family Medicine Pediatric Asthma Project, which aims to improve asthma control within the pediatric population, and the Walter Aument Hypertension Project, which strives to improve blood pressure control within the adult population through distribution and use of at-home blood pressure cuffs.
Dr. Boni also worked as a clinical research associate and laboratory research associate while pursuing her medical degree. She is fluent in English and Italian and speaks some Spanish.
Harikrishna Halaharvi, DO, earned his Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine at Des Moines University. He went on to complete an internal medicine residency at the University of Minnesota, where he also holds a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience.
While pursuing his post-graduate training, Dr. Halaharvi served as a mentored student researcher at Des Moines University, and later, a global health intern for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Through this work, he was able to present and publish research findings to support advancements in clinical care across a range of medical specialties.
Jawad Khan, MD, earned his medical degree and completed residency training at the Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai Queens in New York City. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery from Khyber Medical College Pakistan. Dr. Khan completed three clinical externships: two at Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio, and one at Elkhart General Hospital in Elkhart, Indiana. He speaks English, Pashto, Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi.
While residing in Pakistan, Dr. Khan worked as a Medical Officer at Tehsil Headquarters Hospital. There, he provided care in the inpatient hospital setting, offering comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and referral services. Earlier in his career, he served in the same role at Kulsum International Hospital, also located in Pakistan. Throughout his career, Dr. Khan has conducted and published research focused on efficiency and safety in healthcare environments.
Sharat Sonati, MD, is a graduate of Gandhi Medical College, located in India. His medical education was fully funded through a scholarship, as he ranked in the top 500 applicants based on performance in a medical entrance exam.
While pursuing his medical degree, Dr. Sonati served as a house surgeon and patient care provider at Gandhi Hospital. He went on to complete his residency training at the Brooklyn Hospital Center in New York City, where he focused on intensive care, cardiology, inpatient rehabilitation, and general inpatient care management. While there, in addition to his clinical responsibilities, Dr. Sonati devoted time to teaching junior residents and medical students. He speaks Hindi and Telugu, in addition to English.
Matt Patton, president of Surf Bagel, has announced the management team for the company’s fifth location in Fenwick Island. Charlotte Jump and Sara Cessna will serve as general managers, supported by Lenny Landero as assistant manager.
“This management team has been working so hard to hire and train their crew and they can’t wait to start serving the best bagels in Fenwick Island. Each manager has a unique skill set and years of experience in the service industry.” Patton said. “Their knowledge, passion, and hard work ensures that they will continue Surf Bagel’s legacy of serving fresh baked New York style bagels in a fun, laid back environment.”
Jump joined the Surf Bagel team in 2022 as an assistant manager at the Midway location, where she was quickly promoted to the position of general manager. Under her leadership, the Midway store and staff experienced immense growth and success.
Cessna spent 5 years working for a well known multinational chain of coffeehouses; starting as a barista and eventually advancing to Store Manager of one of the area’s busiest stores.
Landero will be new to the Surf Bagel team. He has worked in a variety of Fenwick Island restaurants, excelling in both front of the house and back of the house positions.
Lisa Mathena announced Michael Getzlaff has joined The Lisa Mathena Group, Inc. as a sales associate.
“We are pleased to announce that Michael has joined our team of outstanding professionals,” Lisa Mathena said. “The combination of both The Lisa Mathena Group and Michael’s unique skills, knowledge, and experience serves to provide the highest level of service to our buyers and sellers.”
Formerly affiliated with Northrop Realty, a division of Long & Foster Real Estate in Lewes, Getzlaff is a 6-year veteran of the real estate profession specializing in working with home buyers and sellers in the Delaware & Maryland beach resort regions. Getzlaff strives to achieve the highest level of client satisfaction, ensuring that his clients’ real estate experience is stress-free and successful. He is a member of the National Association of REALTORS®, the Delaware Association of REALTORS®, and the Sussex County Association of REALTORS® and is licensed in Delaware and Maryland. Getzlaff holds several designations and certifications including RENE (Real Estate Negotiating Expert), ABR (Accredited Buyer’s Representative), RSPS (Resort & Second Home Property Specialist), and PSA (Pricing Strategy Advisor).
Getzlaff previously was affiliated with Coldwell Banker real estate. Prior to his real estate career, he worked for various Marketing agencies as a senior copywriter, scriptwriter, and director. He holds a BA degree in English from Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, IL. He and his wife, Karen Hill, a renowned architect, both enjoy travel, especially to remote locations, having visited over 45 countries across 6 continents. Michael also enjoys snowboarding and skateboarding.
