Testimonials
Total Joint Center Testimonials
Last modified on 2010-03-09 00:37:39 GMT. 0 comments Top
Catch these amazing testimonials from patients of the Total Joint Center.
Review by Janet Pellegrini
Last modified on 2010-02-26 22:49:36 GMT. 0 comments Top
I have been a public school teacher in San Francisco for 39 years, and in recent years have had some difficulty standing for the long hours in the classroom. As I started to get pain in my shoulder, knees and feet, I decided to seek help from the doctors at Saint Francis and the Center for Sports Medicine. I had heard many good things about their program, and how the physicians and staff give sound advice and recommended therapy and exercise programs to cure my aches and pains. Here are some thoughts on each doctor I saw:
Dr. Garrick: Very charming with a pleasant manner. I went to him with knee problems. He addressed my orthopedic problem with therapy and strengthening exercises. He wanted to do anything to avoid surgery. He is very knowledgeable, positive and patient. He is the founder of the Centers and the practice.
Dr. Prieto: Delightful and approachable. He will respond to emergencies quickly and with efficiency. He took care of my shoulders, knees, and sciatica with therapy, medication and rest. He avoids surgery and knows his practice. With a quick examination he can diagnose and prescribe. His fast action put me back together again three times.
Dr. Valmassy: He is the Italian “gentle” man of the Center. He solved three nasty walking problems I had over the past three years. He always shows genuine concern and gently seeks out the problem. He uses taping, casts, orthotics, exercise, special shoes, and cold/hot treatments before any thought of surgery. For me, he cured a tendon problem, fallen arches and planter faciatis. With time, patience and his kind direction, I overcame my foot ailments and have come to consider Dr. Valmassy not only a doctor, but a friend.
Janet, San Francisco
Center for Sports Medicine Patient
Patient Testimonial, Dr. Ronald Valmassy, Podiatrist, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:00:06 GMT. 0 comments Top
Dr. Lynne Meeger, a dentist in downtown San Francisco, has been a patient of Dr. Valmassy at the James G. Garrick Centers for Sports Medicine for 26 years. During that time he has operated on both of her feet so that now she can dance, walk and wear heels (but don’t tell Dr. Valmassy).
Patient Testimonial, Karen Cunningham, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:03:42 GMT. 0 comments Top
Karen Cunningham, a patient at Saint Memorial Hospital, has a lot of great things to say about many staff members at the James G. Garrick Centers for Sports Medicine. Hoyman Minx Hong, MD, was her first doctor; Victor Prieto, MD, a “master surgeon of the shoulder”; and Sarah Potocnzy was the “best physical therapist on the planet.”
Senator Mark Leno on Saint Francis Memorial Hospital-a True Community Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:06:28 GMT. 0 comments Top
Senator Mark Leno, attending a Rally Family Visitation Services event, describes Saint Francis Memorial Hospital as the manifestation of what a true community hospital is all about.
30th Anniversary of the Centers for Sports Medicine, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:09:01 GMT. 0 comments Top
Mickey Luckoff, KGO Radio’s President and General Manager, extends his congratulations to James Garrick, MD, Founder and Director of the James G. Garrick Centers for Sports Medicine at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, which celebrated its 30th anniversary this year.
Supervisor David Chiu Praises Saint Francis’ Community Spirit
Last modified on 2009-11-05 20:57:29 GMT. 0 comments Top
Supervisor David Chiu speaking from a Rally event praises Saint Francis Memorial Hospital for its unique array of programs and services that benefit underserved populations in San Francisco.
Veronica LaBeau, Director of Stewardship and Special Projects, Saint Francis Foundation
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:09:45 GMT. 0 comments Top
Veronica La Beau, Director of Stewardship and Special Projects for the Saint Francis Foundation, describes her favorite doctor, Romana Usman, MD, and the high quality of care that she receives at Saint Francis.
Mel Blaustein, MD, Director of Psychiatry, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2009-11-03 17:22:46 GMT. 0 comments Top
Testimonial: A Cross Country Trek in Search of Help
Last modified on 2010-03-02 19:38:23 GMT. 0 comments Top
I was a fairly active person, but a skiing accident turned my life upside down. I didn’t realize how bad my injuries were and I continued running, even with extreme lower back pain and numbness in my leg.
Six months later I was diagnosed with a ruptured disc. I tried a series of treatments before having surgery, which provided little relief. For two more years I lived in pain, until a CBS News segment and subsequent research led me to the Spine Care Institute of San Francisco. The people at Saint Francis really listen and take you seriously. For the first time, I had reason to hope.
I ultimately had another surgery at Saint Francis, and am back to my old self. I play water polo and volleyball, go roller-blading and take long hikes. I’m also back at work full-time—all thanks to the Spine Care Institute.
Deb, Triathlete and Nurse
Spine Care Institute of San Francisco Patient
Sonia Melara, Executive Director, Rally Family Visitation Services, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:13:43 GMT. 0 comments Top
Rally Family Visitation Services is a national model for family visitation programs that provides critical visitation services to the highest risk families referred by the San Francisco Family Court System. The goal of the program is not only to assure safe transfer of children from parent-to-parent, but to help divorcing parents establish new, positive parenting relationships. Rally became a Saint Francis Memorial Hospital community service program in 1997, providing Rally with a central San Francisco location and the infrastructure necessary to serve a greater number of families.
Dr. Robert Harvey, Chief of Surgery, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:12:49 GMT. 0 comments Top
Robert Harvey, MD, Chief of Surgery at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, talks about the advancements in the surgery department and the newly remodeled operating suites, and about the Hospital’s commitment to community programs.
Testimonial: Mike Pawlawski
Last modified on 2010-03-02 19:45:21 GMT. 0 comments Top
When I was playing in the Arena League, I took a massive hit in a May 1998 game. An MRI showed a herniated neck disc, but I kept playing. I returned for the 1999 season, when my Albany (NY) team won the championship.
My trainer from my days at UC Berkeley recommended that I see spine surgeon Dr. Clement Jones at the Spine Care Institute, who also serves as a team physician for the Bears. We had an immediate rapport. He made it a team effort and allowed me to be part of the decision-making process. An MRI revealed that I had additional injuries, and Dr. Jones performed a disc fusion and prescribed other non-surgical treatments.
When I was young, I wanted to be a doctor. That didn’t happen, but Dr. Jones “quarterbacked” my medical team perfectly.
Mike, Former Professional Football Player
Spine Care Institute of San Francisco Patient
Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Celebrates the 30th Anniversary of Centers for Sports Medicine
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:16:31 GMT. 0 comments Top
Ballerina Janet Sassoon congratulates James Garrick, MD, and Saint Francis Memorial Hospital on the 30th Anniversary of the James G. Garrick Centers for Sports Medicine at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. Dr. Garrick is considered the “father” of the sports medicine field, having pioneered multidisciplinary, integrated care, for professional and recreational athletes, artists, dancers, and “weekend warriors” suffering from exercise-related injuries.
Patient Testimonial, Total Knee Replacement, Victor Prieto, MD, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:18:22 GMT. 0 comments Top
A patient at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco describes her remarkable recovery from a right total knee replacement performed by Victor Prieto, MD.
Testimonial: Kenwade Lee
Last modified on 2010-03-02 19:46:04 GMT. 0 comments Top
In October 2001 I strained my back when my motorcycle slipped. I was off work for a month. I saw my doctor, did physical therapy and returned to work. I was still in pain, so I consulted several doctors, one of whom did a discogram that revealed a torn disc.
The physician performed an IntraDiscal Electro Thermal Therapy (IDET) procedure. Initially I felt better, but by the fourth week, I could barely walk. I tried pain medications and epidural injections. Nothing helped. Another MRI revealed a herniated disc. My father’s doctor recommended a surgeon at the Spine Care Institute of San Francisco.
The Spine Center surgeon looked at the MRI and ordered a blood test and a bone scan, noting that IDET procedures pose some risk of infection. Sure enough, the scan showed a massive infection. The surgeon admitted me to the hospital and prescribed antibiotics. The next day he performed surgery. Within days, I was walking again.
If not for the surgeon’s insight, I might be in a wheelchair now. The people at Saint Francis gave me my life back.
Kenwade, San Francisco Police Officer
Spine Care Institute of San Francisco Patient
Judith Bolker, Nurse Manager, Total Joint Center, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:20:13 GMT. 0 comments Top
Judith Bolker, BSN, MAPT, the Nurse Manager of the Total Joint Center at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, describes the process of care given to patients throughout the pre-op and post-op process. She acts as a liaison between the patient, the doctor, the hospital and any other staff. She will answer your questions and coordinate your care with other team members to make sure that your experience with the Total Joint Center is a pleasant one.
Guido Gores, MD, Primary Care Doctor, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:21:58 GMT. 0 comments Top
Guido Gores, MD, a primary care physician at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco, describes the unique attributes of the Saint Francis environment that make it such a great place to be a physician.
Dennis Kneeppel, Chief Nurse, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:23:14 GMT. 0 comments Top
Dennis Kneeppel, Chief Nurse at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, describes why he enjoys being a part of the Saint Francis community.
Employee Health Nurse, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:24:05 GMT. 0 comments Top
Meet the Employee Health Nurse at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco. His responsibility is to take care of Saint Francis employees and keep them healthy. One of the department’s current programs is to encourage all health care workers to get their flu shot.
David Ensley, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital
Last modified on 2010-03-02 01:24:57 GMT. 0 comments Top
Saint Francis Memorial Hospital’s David Ensley describes the Saint Francis environment and why the hospital is such a great place to work.
Testimonial: Jeffrey Brogan
Last modified on 2010-03-02 19:40:07 GMT. 0 comments Top
I was driving on the highway one day when I was broadsided by another car. I suffered a severe back sprain and whiplash. I returned to work within a few days, but the pain kept getting worse.
At times I couldn’t feel my legs. The pain was so bad that I had to sleep sitting up on the couch. My neurosurgeon consulted a surgeon at the Spine Care Institute of San Francisco and together they performed multiple fusions and procedures.
Since then, I’ve resumed all my favorite activities. I’ve got a life again because of the surgeon and staff at the Spine Care Institute and the nurses at Saint Francis.
Jeffrey, San Francisco Police Officer
Spine Care Institute of San Francisco Patient