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Patients grateful during National Doctor's Day


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



The Catalyst Online is published weekly by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. The Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to The Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.