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Deb Wellington
Patients who come to the Joint Replacement Center get to know Deb Wellington extremely well. She takes care of their needs from the time they book their surgery until they’re safely home and recuperating. In between, there are post-op physical therapy sessions, which begin the day after surgery. Deb isn’t a physical therapist, but she attends the sessions because they’re so important to patients’ recovery.
Patients with a brand new knee or hip joint may not feel they’re ready to exercise that soon, but Deb and the physical therapy staff give them the confidence to try. “I’m a cheerleader,” Deb says. “Some patients call me a drill sergeant,” she laughs, “but they say it in a loving way.”
The Joint Replacement Center is unique in the area because it offers “one-stop shopping.” Everything a patient needs – from pre-op testing and education, to procedures performed by the largest group of Orthopaedic surgeons and hospital care by specially trained and certified nurses, to transitional care following surgery – is in one location. That’s why more patients are coming to the Joint Replacement Center; it doubled the number of procedures it performs in just four years.
Patients stay only a few days, but make tremendous progress in a short time. And Deb’s positive attitude makes a lasting impression. Many of them are so happy with their new joints, they drop by the Joint Replacement Center to offer words of encouragement to new patients. Seeing patients regain the mobility they once enjoyed is the best part of her job, Deb says. One former patient ran into Deb at a grocery store and gave the best testimonial she’s ever heard: “Look how great I’m doing – want to see me run down the aisle?”
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