1. Please share your most interesting case with a patient
“I had a case where a patient had a previous septic knee and develop severe arthritis as a result. After a year of observation to ensure the infection had completely cleared, we proceeded with a total knee replacement. During surgery there was so much scar tissue that it appeared her bones had fused together. Not only that, her bone quality was so poor that I didn’t even need a saw to make the cuts. Despite her very challenging anatomy, we were still able to successfully cement in a prosthesis and as a result her pain was dramatically improved. She also gave me a plant.”
2. What is the best advice you were given during your time in medical school that has had a lasting impact on your practice?
“‘Do what you would do for your parents’ – I still use that thought process today.”
3. What are you doing currently/working on/interested in that is helping to impact our local medical community and/or local patients?
“I have been involved with setting up the RMH Hip and Knee Replacement Clinic. Gone are the days where our patients had to wait 1-2 years for a hip or knee replacement. Through this clinic, most patients are offered a surgical date within 6 months after they sign consent. I would urge all referring physicians to consider sending your patients here if you deem your patient a surgical candidate.”
4. What is some advice or wisdom you would like to share with your medical staff peers, or any new physicians joining our community?
“Communication is key. That was the advice Dr. Ken Burns gave me when I joined RMH Medical Staff. So I will just repeat it, if you ever need help on an urgent matter it is best to call and talk directly. Things move a lot faster that way and everyone, including the patient, benefits from it.”