Giving Back: TOI Patient of the Month November 2015

2 Dec 2015 Andrew Mahoney, Doctors, Patient Appreciation ,

Tucson Ortho is proud to present the November 2015 Patient of the Month award to Betty Edwards!

Betty is an active member of our Tucson community and enjoys giving back to others. She is involved with various local non-profit organizations and is always willing to help someone in need. Betty says she loves people and listening to their stories.

Betty believes “it doesn’t take much to brighten someone’s day, a simple smile or a kind hello is sometimes all others need. That’s free and everyone should be able to give that much.”

That spirit was evident to our staff, especially Daniella, outbound receptionist, who nominated Betty for Patient of the Month because “she is very sweet and makes it a point to make us feel special.”

Betty had learned it was Daniella’s birthday and the next time Betty came to the office, Daniella says, “she brought me a beautiful card that made my day!”

Daniella says now it’s her turn to make Betty feel special since she is such “a wonderful lady with a big bright smile.”

Betty was humbled by the nomination, saying “A special thanks to Daniella for choosing me as Patient of the Month. The staff here has been so nice to me, and so ready to help and always with a smile. I never thought I would enjoy coming to the doctor, but even with every pain, I can see the concern of the staff. This means so much to me. They turn sadness into a smile! Thank you all, and God bless. Continue to spread love and joy. It means a lot to the patients and helps us to heal.”

Betty has certainly given us a lot with her bright smiles and caring spirit – we wish her all the best!

One of a Kind: TOI Patient of the Month – October 2015

31 Oct 2015 Doctors, Patient Appreciation, Stephen Curtin

Tucson Ortho is proud to present the October 2015 Patient of the Month award to Sister Catherine Mehlmann!

She was nominated by Arlene Medical Assistant to Dr. Curtin who nothing but great things to say  “Sister Catherine and Sister Victoria are rays of Sunshine each time they bless us with their presence. Her upbeat and positive attitude gets us all feeling better when she visits.

She prays for us all the time.”

This Sister is so loved she was nominated a 2nd time by Joyce Akpan, radiologic technologist (East office). This is what she had to say:  “Sister Mary Catherine always has a smile on her face every time I see her. She is always asking me how I am doing whenever she comes to visit.She is always very positive and very encouraging.”Sister Catherine was so ecstatic to nominated as TOI’s patient of the month!

She was so surprised that so much was being done for her, she was so humbled. She recently just celebrated 50 years of religious service. She was so happy to see Dr. Curtin, Arlene, and Joyce who, to her, played a big part in her treatment. She also wanted to take pictures with Elsa who has always been so kind and checked her in for all her appointments.

Sister Kate was overwhelmed with kind words about Dr. Curtin, here’s what she said to say: “It was a wonderful experience having Dr. Curtin as my surgeon. The doctor was always pleasant and very honest about what was best for me. Dr. Curtin gave me good input about the surgery and what to do to maintain a good body alignment after surgery. I truly enjoyed Dr. Curtin and his care both before and after surgery! Thank you for allowing me to express myself and it’s an honor to be chosen as Patient of the Month.”

Best Wishes Sister Catherine!

Left to Right: Stephen Curtin, M.D., Sister Kate (Patient of the Month), Arlene (Medical Assistant), Joyce (Radiologic Technologist)

Dr. Curtin and Sister Kate

(Sister Kate and Elsa, inbound receptionist)

You Make Us Smile: TOI Patient of the Month – June 2015

1 Jun 2015 Patient Appreciation ,

Tucson Ortho is proud to present the June 2015 Patient of the Month award to Ms. Rebecca Rabon!

Ms. Rabon had been going to physical therapy regularly, but eventually had surgery she needed. When she first met David Santillano, cast tech at the Northwest office, Rebecca says “I was feeling anxious and concerned about being put in a cast due to my claustrophobia fears.” Right away, David helped her deflect those fears and made her feel more comfortable about wearing a cast.

Since then, Rebecca is doing better than ever. David says, “Rebecca has been such a great patient to have in the office. She is always friendly and has a smile. She makes my day every time she comes in. I feel honored to be treating such sweet patients like her.”

With each follow-up, Rebecca says, “David was kind and cheerful, which made the appointment more enjoyable. He is so personable and knowledgeable…just the kind of person you want to work with during a difficult time.”

Congratulations Rebecca! We hope to put smiles on all of our patients’ faces! We wish you continued success in your recovery!

Left to Right: David Santillano (cast tech NW), Ms. Raborn, and Amy Irwin (Nurse Practitioner to Dr. Landis)

First Injury: TOI Patient of the Month – May 2015

1 May 2015 Christopher Stevens, Doctors, Patient Appreciation ,

Tucson Ortho is proud to present the May 2015 Patient of the Month award to Koby Kresse!

Koby Kresse suffered a pretty bad injury to his hand and was taken to the ER. It was his first injury, and he was understandably nervous and anxious about what was going to happen. That is where he met Dr. Christopher Stevens. Dr. Stevens said, “Koby is an awesome patient. He had a pretty bad injury, but he has been able to persevere, and always with a smile”

The Kresse family expressed their gratitude for the professionalism, compassion, and skill they received from Dr. Stevens, his medical assistant, Jen Martinez, and cast tech, Mike, throughout the whole process. The Kresse family says, “From the time we first met Dr. Stevens in the ER, he was able to calm [Koby] down and explain the procedure in a very matter-of-fact way to where Koby could understand him. From there, it has been a smooth road to recovery. Thank you for making Koby’s distressing situation a pleasant one! Keep up the great work!”

Dr. Stevens and his staff nominated Koby because “He hasn’t let his cast get in the way of him practicing his trumpet or playing video games. In fact, he says that playing video games is actually helping to rehab his hand 🙂 Great kid with a great attitude!”

Congratulations Koby! Keep playing!

Out with the Old and In with the New! TOI Patient of the Month – April 2015

1 Apr 2015 Doctors, Lawrence Housman, Patient Appreciation , ,

Tucson Ortho is proud to present the April 2015 Patient of the Month award to Sandra Lawrence!

Sandra Lawrence was nominated by Myriah Stark at the East Office physical therapy location. Here’s what Myriah had to say: “Mrs. Lawrence underwent bilateral knee arthroplasty. She has maintained an upbeat attitude despite undergoing such drastic procedures at the same time and is always smiling throughout every step of the way on the road to recovery. She’s always had a positive outlook and approached each of her PT sessions determined to get back to what she loves. Mrs. Lawrence is a trail guide and her goal was to get back out there on the trails with her groups. She also enjoys staying active by cycling and playing with her grandkids.”

Said Sandra: “How can I ever thank Dr. Housman and the staff at TMC and TOI for the incredible professional and personable care that I received throughout my journey of bi-lateral total knee replacement? The nurses caring for me after surgery and the staff at TOI made my recovery progress at a pace that surprised us all. Angela Bornhouser at TOI was the best cheerleader ever. If physical therapy isn’t supposed to make you laugh, she put that theory to rest very quickly!

From the initial phone call arranging the first therapy appointment answered by Myriah, the original cheerleader in the front reception area, everyone exuded positive energy and enthusiasm. Being welcomed at the front desk was like being welcomed at a family reunion! My husband, retired AF, our son, a firefighter for Drexel Heights (his wife and our new grandson born Sept. 20), and my daughter, a PA, and myself all owe a debt of gratitude to the people that helped me through this experience. My new knees have allowed me to get back to my hiking, biking, and volunteering as a Sabino Canyon Volunteer Naturalist. Out with the old and in with the new!

Congratulations Sandra! We wish you the very best in continuing to improve!

March 2015 Patient of the Month – Mary Mahan

1 Mar 2015 Patient Appreciation , ,

Tucson Ortho is proud to present the March 2015 Patient of the Month award to Mary Mahan!

Over the last 10 years, Mary has been going to physical therapy from a variety of places to manage pain for her back. Recently, she began PT at Tucson Orthopaedic Institute with physical therapist, Kristin Sartore and PT tech, Raul Durazo.

From the beginning, Kristin expressed the goals she hoped for Mary to accomplish and proceeded to work closely with Mary to get her pain down to a manageable and comfortable level. Mary said, “Kristin and Raul were right beside me during all the exercises. If I was unable to do one, it was modified to suit my level.”

Kristin and Raul nominated Mary for Patient of the Month for her hard work and positivity. Kristin says, “Mary has worked through pain and made a commitment to improve her strength and mobility.”
Within the first 2 weeks of therapy, Mary’s husband told her ‘You’re walking better!” Mary began to feel more agile and fluid. Kristin always explained what each exercise was designed to do in terms Mary could understand. Mary says, “I found that once I understood the purpose of the exercises, I am far more likely to do them at home.”

Mary credits Raul for accomplishing what other people have not been able to do…getting her to go to the gym! She said, “Raul’s concern with my well-being made me feel I was indeed very well taken care of…I personally have not experienced that level of concern and care at other physical therapists.”

Mary ends with saying, “I am feeling better than I did when I started physical therapy. I hope to continue with them. Kristin and Raul’s experience, knowledge and attitude are impressive and have helped me a great deal.”

Congratulations Mary! We wish you the very best in continuing to improve!

February 2015 Patient of the Month – Deborah Mack

1 Feb 2015 Doctors, Patient Appreciation, Steven Shapiro ,

Tucson Ortho is proud to present the February 2015 Patient of the Month award to Deborah Mack!

Joleen Cox, nurse practitioner to Steven Shapiro, MD, nominated Deborah because she is such a “positive and focused individual.” Following an injury sustained in an ATV accident, Deborah’s only concern was for the passenger, who walked away unharmed from the accident. Joleen said, “Deborah has always shown gratitude, not only for the outcome of the accident, but also the care she received.”

It wasn’t always easy, but the care Deborah received helped her through it. Deborah said, “What an amazingly competent and confident team these two are! Every step in the process was done with such sureness, I never once felt apprehensive about my care. I was fortunate enough to have a team with good humor, which goes a long way during stressful times! It was a pretty significant and scary event in my life that was made a whole lot easier because of these two. For this, I (and my husband) will always be grateful! Thank you!”

Both Joleen and Dr. Shapiro are extremely pleased to have made a difference in Deborah’s recovery and wish her well!

January 2015 Patient of the Month – Judy Forester

1 Jan 2015 Doctors, John Maltry, Patient Appreciation

Judy Forester was nominated by Kim McNurlin, Physician Assistant for Dr. John Maltry

Judy has had both knees replaced. Her left knee was done 12/13. She recently won a ballroom dance competition 10 months out from her knee replacement. She scored 97/100 in the Tango. Woo hoo to Judy! She worked hard in physical therapy and proves there is life after knee replacement.

When asked about her experience Ms. Forester said, “Dr. Maltry, Kim, Janice and the staff at Tucson Ortho, thank you for answering all my questions, reassuring me and encouraging me, and putting up with my whining. You have given me two new knees that work great. I just won my first trophy for dancing a tango in a competition, receiving a score of 97 out of a 100, with my new knees. I have danced for about 5 years. My love of dancing gave me the motivation to keep working really hard on my rehab. I returned to dance 2 months after each knee replacement, and my strength and confidence has soared. I also have been wearing a Fitbit to monitor my activity level. This month I received my Great Barrier Reef award for having walked 1600 miles, the equivalent of the length of the world’s largest reef. I’m happy. Thanks!”

The staff at Tucson Orthopaedic Institute are proud to have such a delightful and determined patient of the month.  Judy’s determination to return to the dance floor has been an inspiration to everybody here at TOI.  We are excited to hear about all of the awards that Judy has yet to win!

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