When Grand View general surgeon Gary Finkelstein, MD, fell skiing in Colorado last winter, he knew immediately that something serious had happened. He also knew he wanted to get home for care-to the colleagues he knew and trusted.

Dr. Finkelstein had a large tear in his rotator cuff - the muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. The tear displaced his bicep tendon, an injury that would require a timely surgical repair in order to prevent him from suffering permanent damage and disability. For his care, he chose Grand View and orthopaedic surgeon James Hurley, MD. "I've seen Dr. Hurley's work and knew he was good," Dr. Finkelstein said. "No one can evaluate a surgeon as well as another surgeon. I placed my care in his competent hands."

Dr. Hurley repaired Dr. Finkelstein's shoulder surgically, after which the shoulder was immobilized for six weeks. Dr. Finkelstein then underwent six weeks of rehabilitation. He was back in the operating room after just 12 weeks. "Surgeons don't always make the best patients, but he was great," Dr. Hurley said. "He followed all post-operative care and physical therapy instructions to the letter and had an excellent outcome. I perform this surgery often, but it's still an honor when a colleague who can go anywhere chooses me and Grand View."

"It takes two - a surgeon and patient - to achieve a quick recovery," Dr. Finkelstein added. "I worked hard at rehab at Grand View's Sellersville Outpatient Center. I couldn't return to performing surgery until I had recovered my full range of motion and was back 100 percent.

"When you have confidence in the people caring for you-the doctors, nurses, therapists, and everyone involved-it's easy to relax and let them do what they do best. People say when you're a physician you know all that can go wrong. You also know all that can go right."

Source: Annual Report 2011