Heroes aren’t just in movies.
We’re all real-life heroes in our own way. Whether we’re keeping people safe at work, achieving our fitness dreams, hugging a loved one, or making it possible for others to achieve financial success — it’s our individual victories that make us heroes.
There is one big difference between movie heroes and real-life heroes, however. Movie heroes never seem to get hurt. In real life, we experience pain from injuries and everyday wear and tear on our bodies. When the discomfort becomes too much, we turn to knowledgeable healthcare practitioners. Sometimes we need surgery.
Real-life heroes in the Quad Cities trust the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center for surgery they’ll feel good about — physically and emotionally.
The Mississippi Valley Surgery Center, located at 3400 Dexter Court in Davenport, specializes in outpatient surgeries and procedures. Their caring medical team and support staff are experts in the latest, proven techniques that lead to better outcomes and faster recovery.
What’s it like for people who have had surgery at the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center?
To answer that question, we’ve collected stories from Quad-Citians — real-life heroes — who’ve experienced an outpatient procedure at the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center.
Fitness Hero Maddy Ruggeberg: Getting Back to a Very Active Lifestyle
Fitness is a career for Maddy Ruggeberg. As a trainer at QCCrossFit (The Foundation) in Davenport, she helps people from all ages and walks of life reach their health goals.
Just months ago, Maddy and her CrossFit team attended a regional competition in Minneapolis to test their skills against other athletes. Maddy’s team was in the lead when a freak accident left her on the mat, paralyzed with pain. “I was moving to a machine to do a special type of sit-up when I just slipped,” said Maddy. “The pain was excruciating.”
Paramedics rushed Maddy to a Minneapolis emergency room, where it was determined that she had split her kneecap in half.
While still in the emergency room, Maddy called Dr. Tuvi Mendel from Orthopaedic Specialists in Davenport. Maddy was determined to have her knee procedure done by a surgeon she knew well and trusted. She was pleased that Dr. Mendel wanted to do the surgery at the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center. “I had a wrist surgery at the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center a few years ago, and the staff and quality of care totally impressed me,” said Maddy.
In order to put Maddy’s knee cap back together, Dr. Mendel used three hollow screws with wires inserted through the middle.
According to Maddy, it was a stress-free, comfortable experience. “The people at the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center really know their stuff,” said Maddy. “But what’s even better is that they are so nice. They put me at ease, and I even got a ‘Get Well Soon’ card from the staff.”
Fast-forward a few months, and Maddy is putting weight on her knee again, and easing back into a workout routine. “I’m taking it one day at a time,” said Maddy. “I’m going to be back at it before you know it!”
Safety Hero Stacey Cook: Back to Golf and Feeling Good
Despite a healthy lifestyle, Davenport native Stacey Cook’s hips hurt so much that he was finding it hard to sit for any period of time. Even driving to his job as a Behavioral-Based Safety Facilitator at Monsanto in Muscatine was uncomfortable.
Stacey called Dr. John Hoffman, a fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon with Orthopaedic Specialists in Davenport, to discuss his options for eliminating the pain.
Dr. Hoffman recommended Rapid Recovery Total Hip Replacement, a minimally invasive surgery done at the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center.
“The entire staff at the Surgery Center made me feel at ease. I could tell they were experts,” Stacey said. “They had me up on my feet and moving around within a few hours after surgery, and I was at home resting in my own bed in less than a day. They made me feel confident that everything was going to be okay.”
These days, Stacey is living a pain-free life. When he’s not busy at work, he can be found teeing up at the golf course with family and friends.
Financial Hero John Waugh: Enjoying Crystal Clear Vision
As a financial advisor, John Waugh, from Aledo, spends hours staring at rows of numbers on a computer screen in an effort to help individuals, couples, and families reach their financial goals.
When declining vision made it difficult to do his job, John turned to Ophthalmologist Dr. Borisuth with Virdi Eye Clinic in Rock Island.
Dr. Borisuth determined that cataracts were impacting John’s vision, and recommended pioneering cataract surgery at the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center using a LenSx® femtosecond laser.
“With traditional cataract surgery, most of the surgery is performed manually by the surgeon,” said Dr. Borisuth. “In the LenSx laser®-assisted surgery, we use a laser to deliver near-infrared light to fragment the cataract into tiny segments prior to removal. The idea is that all the surgeon will have to do is remove the pieces with minimum vacuuming.”
For John, the process was comfortable, and put him at ease. “The team at the Surgery Center is a professional, friendly group of people,” said John. “Everyone greeted me with their name, and made sure I understood what was happening. I left with the feeling that friends were taking care of me!”
The results for John have been profound. “A few days after my surgery, I stepped out on my deck and looked at the sky. There were twice as many stars — all twinkling and clear. It was amazing!” he said. “And, of course, those little numbers on my computer screen are much easier to read, too!”
Little Hero Wyatt Brashears: Laughing and Enjoying Big Sister Hugs
Wyatt Brashears, from Milan, is almost four years old. Like many little brothers, he loves hugging his big sister when she comes home from school. And like more than two million children in the U.S., he suffers from fluid in the ear.
Wyatt’s ear troubles disappeared once he had ear tubes inserted at the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center. Ear tubes are tiny tubes that drain fluid, ventilate the middle ear, and help prevent recurring issues. The outpatient surgery was performed by Dr. Douglas Dvorak, an ear, nose and throat specialist with ENT Specialists in Davenport.
According to Dr. Dvorak, people feel more relaxed at the Surgery Center. “Our small patients get a coloring book, crayons, and a stuffed animal to keep them busy and happy,” he said. “The staff we work with at the Surgery Center is very caring, and focused on making the whole family feel at ease.”
Wyatt’s mother, Elizabeth Brashears, agrees with Dr. Dvorak. “It’s so easy, and everyone makes you feel relaxed, which, as a mom, is really important,” she said. “For Wyatt, it was back to laughing, talking, and big sister hugs almost immediately.”
More Quad-City Heroes Walk Among Us
Our stories of people who have sought help to get back to optimum health just scratch the surface. Each year, the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center sees nearly 10,000 patients.
Do you know a real-life hero who got back to health and wellness after surgery at the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center? If so, email info@mvhealth.net. We may choose to profile your hero as part of an upcoming series called “Heroes Among Us” on our Facebook page, facebook.com/MississippiValleySurgeryCenter. To learn more about the Mississippi Valley Surgery Center, go to www.mvhealth.net.
Save Time and Money by Choosing an Ambulatory Surgery Center
UnitedHealthCare, a health insurance company that serves more than 45 million people, recently announced that no prior authorization will be required for outpatient procedures performed in an in-network ambulatory surgery center (ASC). In contrast, authorization will still be required in a hospital setting.
What does that mean to those insured by UnitedHealthcare?
It means you can enjoy high-quality care at a lower cost — without the hassle of prior authorization at ASCs around the country, including the Mississippi Valley Surgery & Endoscopy Centers.
Procedures include:
- Abdominal Paracentesis
- Carpal Tunnel Surgery
- Cataract Surgery
- Hernia Repair
- Liver Biopsy
- Tonsillectomy & Adenoidectomy
- Upper & Lower Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
- Urologic Procedures
If you have any questions about how this new guideline may impact your healthcare choices, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 563-344-6600.