"Nadine, Akron General has the robot." For a woman postponing surgery until her hospital of choice could perform the surgery, these were sweet words.
"I knew I needed the surgery and, having researched extensively and talked with my doctor, I knew I was a candidate for robotic surgery," explains Nadine Clar. "I was also very adamant that I wasn't going to have that surgery anywhere but Akron General. I was willing to hold off until I could have the surgery at my hospital, once they got the robot." In her mid-50s, Nadine is at a healthy weight and very active. Less trauma to her body, lower risk of infection and a shorter hospital stay were major factors in Nadine's decision to have robotic surgery.
In June 2008, Jeffrey Zwart, MD, performed Nadine's robot-assisted hysterectomy. She went home the following day, required no pain medication and has minimal scarring. "And the best part of the whole experience is that I was able to have it at Akron General," says Nadine. "I can't imagine getting that kind of care and expertise anywhere else."
Next Month, Next Generation
Shortly after Nadine's quick recovery, her 19-year-old daughter, Melissa, found out that her gallbladder needed to be removed. "Surgery is unnerving for anyone at any age, but especially for a younger person," shares Nadine. "Ironically, I had undergone the same surgery years ago. Without question, I wanted Dr. Horattas to do my daughter's procedure at Akron General, just like mine."
Mark Horattas, MD, performed Melissa's surgery in August 2008. "No question, Dr. Horattas is my hero," says Melissa. "I was in a tremendous amount of pain - and he fixed it effortlessly." As for her mother - she knew she made the right choice. "I wanted her safe and comfortable, and I needed to know she was in the best facility receiving the highest level of care," says Nadine.
The Year Was Not Over Yet, and Neither Were The Surgeries In Nadine's Family
Nadine's mother, Becky, 74, had experienced knee pain for years. Yet, as the former manager of her family's business, local restaurant Parassons, Becky had put off correcting the knee problem with surgery - until it became too much for daily life. "I started having trouble gardening. When I reached that point, and also the point where stairs were near impossible, I knew I needed a new knee!"
With the positive earlier experiences of the year, the family never thought twice about where Becky should have knee replacement. That December, Becky had knee replacement performed by Robert Kepley, MD - at Akron General, of course.
Nadine explains: "Throughout all of this, starting with my surgery, our experiences were nothing but wonderful. Every person, every floor, every time."
