"I never felt like a number."
My name is Sal and I'm strong again thanks to the doctors at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.
For five years I dealt with severe pain from a ruptured disk and degenerative disk disease. I had tried so many methods of treatment—physical therapy, medications—eventually the condition worsened to the point where I had debilitating back pain radiating down my legs.
The turning point came in 2003. My daughters were young, only age 8 and 11, and I would have to have them stand on a chair in order to hug them goodnight. I could only watch while they were learning to ride their bikes. That's when I knew I had to do something.
Dr. John Collis operated on my older brother and two close friends of his. I'm a very well-informed consumer and let me tell you—I knew Dr. Collis was the best out there. I interviewed at least four or five other surgeons at length before choosing Dr. Collis.
What persuaded me to choose him were his bedside manner, knowledge, experience and personality. I was amazed by his sincerity and professionalism. The entire staff—from the front office through the clinical staff—was exceptional. I was amazed at the amount of personal attention and care I received. The physician's assistant alone was so thorough and spent 45 minutes with me. Dr. Collis spent one hour with me the first time I met him.
I never felt like a number. I was truly treated like an individual. Dr. Collis gave me my life back.
