Saving Lives Through Early Detection

Ramona, a patient of Trudy Milner, D.O., primary care physician for St. John Clinic, learns the importance of getting routine mammograms to reduce the risk of breast cancer. With no symptoms present, Ramona did not know she had breast cancer until her mammogram. Today, Ramona has been breast cancer-free for eight years and looks forward to a long and healthy life with her grandchildren.

Stephanie and Cheryl were a perfect match, in more ways than one. They were brought together by tragedy in 2001 after both had lost a child. Years later, when Stephanie told Cheryl she was diagnosed with a form of kidney disease and needed a transplant, Cheryl replied without hesitation: “OK,” she said, “I’ll sign up.” Stephanie says she is now enjoying a life with more freedom and energy, thanks to Cheryl and the St. John Transplant Center.

Joesphine White is a patient of Dr. Ashley Hildebrand, M.D., primary care physician for St. John Clinic Family Medical Care. Their patient/physician relationship portrays the importance of open communication and shared decision-making, as well as the reason St. John treats every patient like family.

Two strokes in a row landed Billy Parker at the St. John Heyman Stroke Center. Luckily, the country music aficionado and radio host had recognized the symptoms and sought immediate treatment. Under the care of eastern Oklahoma’s top stroke team, Billy recovered well, and today he is back in the studio encouraging others to learn the warning signs of stroke.

Josh Fritz was hit head-on in a motor vehicle collision and sustained life-threatening injuries. Both of Josh’s legs were crushed with open fractures, his shoulder was fractured, and he incurred traumatic abdominal injuries which required emergency surgery. Through the St. John Trauma Center and care through the continuum of trauma care and rehabilitation services at St. John Medical Center, Josh will have a full recovery. In Josh’s words, “I feel very lucky. They saved my life here.”

After open-heart surgery in 1996, Thomas Mason learned he could never undergo another open-heart procedure.

In 2009, after being diagnosed with aortic stenosis, Mason knew afternoons in his workshop would be few and far between. Thankfully, he was referred to Dr. Tom Kalapura,an expert in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), a procedure that allows replacement of heart valves without opening the chest. “I had no pain and couldn’t believe how great I felt,”Mason says. After 36 weeks in St. John Cardiac Rehab, he’s back at his workbench, wearing the smile of a man with many more years of tinkering and creating to enjoy.

Radiation treatments helped save Dennie Hurt’s life from cancer, but left him with pain and weakness in his chest and left arm. Just a few months later, when the first and only STAR Program in Oklahoma began at St. John, the cyclist started rehabilitation sessions and began to feel like his old self again.

A coach and avid runner, William was shocked when an MRI showed he had suffered a brain stem stroke. William was treated by the experts of the St. John Stroke Center and is making new strides in his recovery with help from the St. John Outpatient Stroke Clinic.

Rachel, an expectant mother and exercise enthusiast, fell during a morning workout, causing a life-threatening brain bleed. Dr. Allan Rosenfeld performed emergency neurosurgery while a team from the St. John Center for Women’s Health monitored mom and baby. Rachel made a full recovery and delivered a beautiful baby girl several weeks later.

After a work accident left Wade with severely injured legs and the possibility of amputation, the St. John Trauma Center went to work. Through eight surgeries in three weeks and extensive rehabilitation, Wade was able to stand again less than three months after his accident.

Nancy found herself in a very difficult situation -- evicted from her home and living in a homeless shelter, and referred to St. John Hospice due to congestive heart failure. Still, she wanted a place of her own. Enter Hospice social worker Janise Rowe, who coordinated donations of bedding, a microwave and other items donated from Hospice staff for Nancy's new apartment. Through Hospice, Nancy is receiving the help she needs to put her life back on track.

Several hospitalizations for uncontrolled diabetes led to Pamela's referral to St. John Home Health. Her case manager, Kristina Moellendorf, developed a positive relationship with Pamela, helping to set health goals and even going the extra mile by going with Pamela to doctor's appointments and making phone calls to physicians and her insurance company. The proof of Pamela's newfound understanding of her disease lies in the fact that she has not been readmitted to the hospital since April 2012.

John Lee first noticed his racing heart in 2005. In 2009, the week of his daughter's wedding, two episodes landed him in the emergency center. Atrial fibrillation, the most common of irregular heartbeats, affects more than 2 million people in the United States. Lee underwent a surgical procedure for his condition in 2010, performed by St. John surgeon Mark Milton, MD; today he is free of arrhythmia medications and blood thinners, and does heavy labor without worry.

After suffering a heart attack in 2008 and receiving care at St. John Medical Center, David, who is hearing and vision impaired, and his wife began exploring cardiac rehab options. St. John's dedicated cardiac rehab team had the perfect answer. Learning that David was a swimmer in his youth, the St. John staff formulated a customized cardiac rehab swimming program through St.John Health Club to meet David's unique needs.

A lingering infection in a hip joint led Andi to the St. John Center for Joint Replacement at St. John Broken Arrow. Under the care of Tulsa Bone and Joint physicians Kevin Dukes, MD, and Jaafar Bazih, MD, Andi's hip was replaced. Ten months later, she was earning medals once more in martial arts.

Caroline's scoliosis was so severe, it reduced her lung function by as much as 40 percent. She could not take a deep breath without pain. Surgical intervention by orthopedic surgeon William Clark, MD, straightened the curvature in Caroline's and middle and lower spine. Later, Dr. Clark performed similar surgery on Caroline's sister, Caitlin. Both young women are now doing well.