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Patients grateful during National Doctor's Day
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by Cindy Abole
Public Relations
Before coming to MUSC in 2009, Matthew Smith's double vision kept him wheelchair bound.
Other medical professionals told him to "learn to live with his deficits."
Fortunately, that was not the opinion of the Storm Eye Institute's opthalmology team.
 Shelene Smith hugs Dr. Ed Wilson, while Matthew Smith presents a gift to Dr. Ronald Teed.
Matthew, who now can read, also is learning to walk and is able to play
video games with his six-year-old son. He came to thank the
team that drastically improved his life last week. Matthew is one
of many patients and family members expressing
gratitude in March. MUSC recognized 1,500 physicians,
residents and fellows March 30 for their commitment as part of
National Doctor's Day.
An Iraqi war veteran and father, Matthew was the victim of a severe
motorcycle accident in March 2006, which sheared a portion of his brain
and left him in a partially vegetative state. Of his multiple injuries,
the droopy eye, double vision and loss of balance was the most
devastating.
After spending years seeking treatment within numerous statewide
hospitals and regional health care facilities, Matthew and his mother,
Shelene, were referred to Storm Eye Institute's Aljoeson Walker, M.D.,
M. Edward Wilson, M.D., Gene R. Howard, M.D., and Ronald Teed, M.D., a
pediatric ophthalmologist and specialist in adult strabismus.
Matthew’s double vision was caused by the traumatic brain injury
affecting a nerve, which weakened surrounding muscles and caused his
left eye to drift outward and down. Teed conducted strabismus surgery
in January 2009.
“Dr. Teed had all of the confidence that he could help Matthew,” said
Shelene, who’s had previous good clinical experiences with her family
at MUSC. “He said it was going to be tough, but that he could
definitely do the work. He said he could help him and he did.”
Almost two years later and three surgeries behind him, Matthew’s vision
has improved dramatically. He’s now able to make his own meals with
assistance and be more independent. Recently, Matthew had follow-up
ptosis surgery on his left eye due to a cyst. It was performed Howard.
Throughout the surgery, Teed took his own time to check on Matthew and
kept the family informed and comforted. Matthew’s family was touched by
his continued display of compassion.
“Dr. Teed’s compassion as a young doctor is amazing. His decisions and
actions are right on the money. When we were referred to Dr. Teed, we
soon realized we were in the best of care because he knew exactly what
we needed,” Shelene said.
On March 24 during a routine eye check up, both mother and son publicly
thanked Wilson, Teed and other MUSC staff for their care and service.
They presented Wilson and Teed with a gift of appreciation, two pit
passes and premium tickets to the Darlington Showtime Southern 500 race
on May 8.
“The Storm Eye team have made our road a whole lot smoother and I’m
proud of what I saw at MUSC almost 30 years ago still present in what I
see today and that’s what makes MUSC special,” Shelene said.
“At MUSC, the doctors, nurses and staff are constantly looking
out for the patient and conscious of the patient’s perspective.
It helps us bear our load a lot easier. I know we can come here
and feel comfortable.”
Survey notes gratitude
Editor's
Note: The following comments came from patient satisfaction
surveys. More than 200 thank-you notes were sent to doctors based on
the survey. The following are a few of the comments.
"We drove 14 hours to see Dr. Wilson and will continue to make the trip. Words cannot describe how amazing he his!”
“Dr. Ashlyn Savage provided excellent care and has a great bedside
manner. She went above and beyond to make my delivery experience
wonderful.”
“We never felt we were in a teaching hospital or an exhibition. The
intern introduced himself as Sam and stayed in the background. On the
last day when no one else was around I hit Sam with all my questions
and found him to be quite knowledgeable and patient. The resident was
good and explained slowly.”
“Dr. McBurney called from her home to get test results from the
hospital. Residents and interns came in early and stayed late. The
entire team was incredible.”
“I loved my dad's doctors. I hugged them with a big thank you when
knowing it was the last time I would see them. Dr. Adams and his staff
of doctors were wonderful. I will never forget their kindness and
treatment of my daddy.”
“Dr. Andre Hebra and his physician assistant Patty Randinelli are a
class act. We feel fortunate to have had Dr. Hebra as our doctor.”
“Dr. Bandisode did an excellent job with our child. Would recommend her to everyone. We love her!”
“Physician, Dr. Krisna Patel was excellent. She provided clear and
detailed explanation of preparation, surgical procedure and post op
care with written instructions. Nurses were caring and efficient.”
We drove 14 hours to see Dr. Wilson and will continue to make the trip. Words cannot describe how amazing he his!”
“Dr. Megan Baker is wonderful—so kind and knowledgeable. I had every
confidence inher and would recommend the MUSC Breast Center team to
anyone.”
Friday, April 2, 2010
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