Exceeding my expectations. A new knee and a new outlook on life.

Exceptional Care Story––Tom Brennan

I’ve had knee problems for most of my life, so I wasn’t surprised when my doctor told me I needed to have knee replacement surgery. I have to admit that I was a little anxious about the surgical experience and recovery period, but the pain in my knees was getting so bad that I just wanted to get it done. Making the decision to come to St. Mary’s for the surgery was pretty easy. From past medical experiences, I knew I wanted a hospital with caring, compassionate and competent staff. My daughter works at St. Mary’s, and I’d heard her talk about the exceptional people she encountered throughout the hospital. It just seemed like a natural fit to choose St. Mary’s for my surgery.

From the initial pre-registration experience to the last day of physical therapy, every encounter I had with doctors, nurses, therapists, lab technicians and staff exceeded my expectations. I was continually impressed with the personal attention and care I received. The people at St. Mary cared for me with a real personal touch, and I never felt like I was just a patient to them. And just as importantly, I never once saw any incompetence. These folks really knew what they were doing. They were well educated in their fields, they were professional and they were experts in giving me the medical care I needed along with that personal touch that’s so important.

A knee replacement surgery is pretty invasive and requires months of physical therapy. I was started on physical therapy right away in the hospital, and it continued after I was discharged, first in my home and then at the rehab clinic. Therapy was painful at times, but my therapists knew just how to get me through it. Over the course of my recovery, I saw several different physical therapists, and they all delivered that same personal attention and professionalism that I experienced in the hospital.

Knee replacement surgery isn’t something you ever want to have, but St. Mary’s made it as good as an experience as it could get. Thanks to the excellent care I received, my qualify of life has improved. If it wasn’t for this successful surgery and recovery, I wouldn’t be able to walk or get out of bed in the morning. I really appreciate the professional and personal care I received at St. Mary’s. I just can’t say enough good things about my experience.