As a 70-year old person I have always prided myself on being healthy and active. Never spent a night in a hospital and never had major surgery. In December this changed when I had total knee replacement surgery. All of this happened under the Cooley Dickinson Healthcare system which is in our Pioneer Valley backyard. In spite of hearing from people I should go to a Boston area hospital or go up to Dartmouth in New Hampshire, I stayed local. I have had a thoroughly positive experience dealing with everyone during this marathon of a process. Dr. Robert Campbell, the surgeon, has been amazing from the beginning. He is so down to earth and answers all my questions with great patience. Most importantly, he is a brilliant surgeon who is meticulous and skilled beyond my wildest expectations.

In this often-negative world where everyone looks for the downside, I have to sing the praises of many I do not even know the names of. CDH Pre-op and Recovery Room nurses were fantastic. They genuinely cared and took good care of me. The operating room staff were solid as well, even though I can only recall a few minutes of time there due to anesthesia. My physical therapists have been vital to my recovery. Linda, my home-based physical therapist, got me going within 24 hours of my surgery. Having her positive energy motivating me was critical. Rachel, my outpatient PT, is just plain exceptional. I need to be challenged to get stronger, develop better range of motion and movement and she is absolutely amazing at pushing me forward. My sincere appreciation to the Cooley Dickinson Healthcare system, a job well done!

Larry Steinhauser

Amherst