One Jamestown woman said she chose her surgeon because of word of mouth.
“Everyone down south loves Dr. Dean,” said Stacey Hunt, who is originally from Kulm, N.D. “When I told them about my knees – they were very clear: JRMC is the place to go.”
Hunt said she also chose JRMC because of R.O.S.I.E., the Xenex LightStrike germ-zapping robot. JRMC purchased R.O.S.I.E. in 2018 and her sibling, R.U.D.I. in 2020. The robots use environmentally friendly xenon ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy microscopic pathogens lurking on hospital surfaces. R.O.S.I.E. and R.U.D.I. reduce the risk of COVID-19 and other healthcare-associated infections.
Dr. Michael T. Dean joined the team at Jamestown Regional Medical Center about 10 years ago. An orthopedic surgeon, he’s replaced more than 5,000 joints in his 30-year career.
He replaced Hunt’s knee in September because she has a genetic condition which causes her knees to wear faster than most. As the mom of two school-aged girls, Hunt missed out on special life moments with her daughters, including trips to the pumpkin patch and traveling volleyball games.
“Time with my girls is precious,” Hunt said. “I didn’t want to miss out on that. When I chat with people waiting for their physical therapy appointment, they say the same thing. They wish they would have scheduled the surgery sooner.”
TIME IS PRECIOUS
Dr. Dean said he hears that often too. Once people feel better, they wish they wouldn’t have waited.
“Life is too short to live in pain,” he said. “We offer surgical and non-surgical options so people can get back to doing what they want with the people they love.”
Hunt’s husband and daughters, Catie, 11, and Allie, 7, have since helped her recover. Allie especially has taken an interest in her mother’s rehabilitation, attending each appointment as her school schedule allowed.
“She might choose a career in physical therapy or orthopedic surgery when she grows up,” Hunt says with a smile.
Hunt’s after-surgery recovery included a little pain, though not as much as before surgery. Hunt also required an additional operation, to remove excess scar tissue. Now, she continues to use a cane in icy weather, however, she is otherwise mobile and pain free.
“I had a great experience with Dr. Dean, Crystal Krapp (orthopedic nurse practitioner) and Pat Walter (orthopedic physician assistant),” Hunt said. “I’m definitely happy with this decision.”
She said she appreciated the nurses and the admissions team too, especially Pam Swenson and Mikaela Pethel, admissions clerks in rehabilitation.
“Pam remembers your name after the first day,” she said. “You really feel like a person, not a number.”
Today, Hunt is back to work as clinical director at the South Central Human Services Center. She’s grateful for Dr. Dean’s care.
She’s also back to enjoying her daughters. Hunt attended both their choir concerts and Christmas programs in December. The family even has two trips planned this winter – one to a waterpark in Grand Forks and another to theme parks in Florida.
“A year ago, I would have been too nervous to slip and fall. Now that I’m recovered, I feel much more comfortable.”
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