James: Getting Back on the Bike

Positive outcomes with deliverables that include quality, completeness, timeliness and cost are the standards that 49-year old, James S., a Contracting Officer Representative (COR) for the United States Department of Justice, uses daily to ensure the more than 700 contracts he manages meet the commitment of the contracts.

When faced with the idea of surgery, James used some of the same standards in making his decision to return to Mercy Medical Center, where he had two prior surgeries.

“I cannot say enough good things about Mercy,” he said.  “I received excellent care each time.”

Careful and Thoughtful Decisions Make the Difference

During a physical with his primary care doctor, James complained of discomfort and a small bulge on the right side of his groin. “When I would cough the pain grew worse,” he recalled. An avid runner and cyclist, James S. mentioned to his doctor how the pain was interfering with his ability to run and cycle. After completion of his physical, the doctor informed James he had a hernia and needed surgery.

“I met with Dr. Nora Meenaghan, a surgeon in The Center for Minimally Invasive Surgery at Mercy to discuss the different treatment options,” said James.  “I appreciated Dr. Meenaghan taking time to explain the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment options.  She was professional, confident, and straightforward.”

Within a few days after meeting with Dr. Meenaghan, James scheduled his outpatient laparoscopic hernia surgery. “Everything went according to plan, just as Dr. Meenaghan said it would,” said James.  “This was my third surgery at Mercy. My first surgery, a spinal fusion was done by Dr. Charles Edwards II of The Maryland Spine Center.  My second was for a toe fusion performed by Dr. Rebecca Cerrato of The Institute for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy.”

Running Into the Future

Today, James is doing well with no physical limitations. Since his surgery, he has participated in one 10-K run and he plans to participate in other events including a 100-mile bike ride.