I am a diabetic. Dr. Malkani has been my endocrinologist for atleast 12 years and has brought my diabetes under control. I also have stiff persons syndrome, which only 350 people in the country have. It took 5 doctors, but finally Dr. Pertusi, who is no longer with UMass Memorial found the problem, medicated it with diazepam and took the incredible pain away. I also see Dr. Moonis to keep an eye on my SPS and Dr. Chopra maintains my physical condition for my SPS. My primary care, Dr. Nancy Bennet has been the most caring and supportive person for all my conditions and your lab staff have been outstanding! I will never go to another facility other than UMass Memorial, Worcester unless recommended to do so. You have been awesome to me. Thank you! -Eric Miller
Cancer on my lung was spotted by Dr. Bielick in December 2013. Dr. Bielick and Dr. Fisher, of the Pulmonary Department, convinced me to go and see Dr Uy. We scheduled an immediate appointment and according to the cat scans that were submitted to Dr. Uy, he decided to have a PET scan done. Upon having the PET scan done in December, it was determined to have lung surgery for the removal of lung cancer. I wanted it done after the holidays, and low and behold to his word, Dr. Uy had me in the hospital on January 5, 2015 and had the lung surgery done with a robot. I was in the hospital for three days and dismissed, upon a couple of visits to Dr Uy, and his Nurse Practitioner, Maggie Powers. I am now cancer free. I am so happy that I listened to Dr. Bielick and Dr. Fisher. I love my doctors for saving my life, I really do. Along with my Nurse Practitioners and the 3 West Staff, I was able to heal and go home in three days instead of five. They treated my family and friends like they were royalty. I want credits to also go to Dr. Chau, Dr. Harroll, Dr. Graeber - fantastic doctors. One last thanks goes out to the receptionist at Dr. Uy's and Dr. Bielick's office for being so patient with me. They are so professional. Did I mention that I love my doctors at UMass Memorial and thank GOD for the fantastic staff. - Darlene Renaud
The team of physicians at UMass Memorial have surpassed our expectations in every way! When my husband was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a deadly brain tumor that has no known cures, we had planned to do everything in our power to fight this awful disease. With our kids just 1 and 4 years old, we couldn't imagine how we would get through this. We began researching Boston hospitals and looking for the best surgeon we could find. That WAS brain surgery! But after talking with Dr. Richard Moser we knew we could stay right here 'at home' and be treated for this horrible disease. Dr. Moser was amazing and his surgical skills clearly helped to save my husband’s life. He also helped to get him into a clinical trial at Duke University that was studying how a vaccine could help prevent the tumor from recurring. But it didn't stop there. Anyone with cancer knows it's a team of providers who work together to care for the patient. The physicians who cared for him; his PCP, Dr. Steve Erba; Radiation Oncologist, Dr. T.J. Fitzgerald; Medical Oncologist, Dr. William Walsh; Pulmonologist Dr. Richard Irwin; Critical Care Dr. Wiley Hall, and the many, many nurses and care givers who have coordinated to deliver the best care possible have helped to keep him here to see his kids grow! It has been 8 years and our kids are now ages 9 and 12. Not only has he lived 7 years longer than the 14 months they had initially given him, we have been able to go on vacations to Disney, Cape Cod, and many ski trips. The doctors are amazed when they hear he is skiing black diamonds with his family. We are truly 'well' because of all that UMass Memorial has provided to us over these past 8 years. Thank you to all who care for us everyday! - Sandy Taubert
The Taubert Family
… you are the best! In August of 2006, I discovered a lump in my left breast. I contacted my primary care doctor and he put me in contact with, what I feel, is the greatest team of physicians I personally want on my side. After mammograms, PET scans and biopsies, I heard the dreaded word ‘cancer’. My team came up with the battle plan of attack, and on October 13, 2006, I underwent surgery to remove the lump and have a lymph node dissection brilliantly performed by Dr. Robert Quinlin. The next plan was chemotherapy where I met Dr. Catheryn Edmonston. After eight treatments of chemo, I made my way to Dr. Cicchetti for what I believe was 36 treatments of radiation. I had been cancer free for 8 years and again in August 2014, a PET scan showed a spot on the pelvis which turned out to be cancer. I also had three spots on my spine. Again I was under the care of Dr. Cicchetti and Dr. Edmonston. Treatment has come a long way since 2006. I had 14 treatments of radiation and I am happy to say the cancer has been eradicated from my pelvis. Dr. Edmonston's assessment on how to attack the spots on my spine is through a monthly shot and a chemo pill. I am here to say I have the best team I could have ever imagined. They never hesitate to answer the smallest of questions I might have. Dr. Edmonston and Dr. Cicchetti, you are the best! - Linda White
This story is a letter of appreciation for a nurse named Sarah who was working with Dr. Sagor in Primary Care Pediatrics at UMass Memorial University Campus in December 2014. My daughter, also named Sarah, had been studying in Ireland for 4 months and had multiple sore throats and fevers, which was very uncommon for her. Due to this, Dr. Sagor had requested a strep-throat swab. My daughter is generally a very healthy young lady and was not accustomed to having these throat swabs done. Unfortunately, she is very, very anxious about gagging, and she had a serious panic attack. Nurse Sarah was absolutely amazing about how she remained patient, professional, and encouraging. Her voice was soothing and her words were well chosen to talk my Sarah through the situation. Several times Nurse Sarah's phone was buzzing and my Sarah tried to talk her way out of the test by insisting that the phone was important and must be answered, but Nurse Sarah said, 'You are my most important priority right now.' We found out later that the calls were informing her that she was late for lunch. She never let on that she was giving up more than 20 minutes of her lunch time to help a 19 year old girl through a strep swab. It should have been a 2 minute procedure rather than such an extended ordeal; however, Nurse Sarah's calm, sweet voice never wavered. We are so grateful for her kindness. I wish the session could have been videotaped as a training in how to deal with a patient in a panicked state. Nurse Sarah did everything correctly. My daughter was not trying to be defiant in any way. It was a fear that she could not shake, but Nurse Sarah helped her work through it. We are so sorry that she had to miss her lunch for it. We hope that she was be able to have extra time awarded to her at another time for her exemplary service. We are grateful for the care and compassion that we always receive from the doctors and nurses at UMass Memorial, no matter how big or small the issue. Deborah Quinn
‌ I am alive and leukemia free I went for my yearly physical with my primary care doctor, Dr. Mary Hawthorne. I mentioned I had been itchy. She checked my stomach and felt something was enlarged. She did complete blood chemistry on me. A week later she called to say I needed to see an oncologist immediately as my white count was extremely elevated. I saw Dr. Doreen Brettler at the Cancer Center at UMass Memorial who did a bone marrow biopsy and found I had a rare for of leukemia CMML. Although there is no cure for this and prognosis was 18 months, Dr. Brettler agreed with me that I should get a second opinion and suggested a physician at Dana Farber that she has worked with in the past. I had three months of chemo at UMass Memorial and then went to Boston for a stem cell transplant on November 20, 2013. My sister was a match. Not only am I well because of my PCP Dr. Mary Hawthorne, but I am alive and leukemia free. - Barbara White
I have the most wonderful group of doctors I visit my primary care doctor twice a year. I follow her advice and she keeps me informed about my conditions. She takes the time to treat me as a person and is very caring and compassionate She keeps me apprised of my appointments with my specialists (heart, lung, urologist, orthopedic and dermatologist Doctors). She explains results of tests in a way that I can understand them. I follow the advice of all the physicians I see and I can say that I am able to lead a productive and quality life style. I feel that I have the most wonderful group of doctors who, with all my concerns, have kept me healthy. I am very grateful to be able to exercise at the YMCA, do my yard work and help my grandchildren with their sports. I lead an active life because of my UMass Memorial physicians. - Joseph Monfredo
I will forever be grateful‌
Near 30 years ago, my fabulous PCP listened to me and guided me through a very difficult illness. He suggested an amazing team of doctors that worked to save my life. I will forever be grateful to the doctors and awesome nurses that got me through and am now an ecstatic grandmother. I am well thanks to you. God bless and be well. - Jeanne Parker
I have the best primary Doctor that UMass Memorial has! She will explain everything, answer all my questions and spend as much time with me that is needed. She never rushes you or herself and always takes away all my fear and anxiety. Dr. Rebeka Kasenge is the best of the best!! - Frances Rivers
I'm well because my Primary Care Physician, Dr Sameh Said, takes the time to listen to my questions and concerns. By doing this, issues can be addressed avoiding any potentially larger problems. - Wendy Davis
I have the BEST primary care doctor (Dr. Steve Erban) and his backup team! I get rapid access to the help I need when I need it and am always treated as a reasonably intelligent adult able to participate fully in all aspects of my health care. - Alice Golden
This has been the best decision of my life‌ I have been overweight since I was in high school. I had a family history of everything you can imagine (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, etc.). I was also more recently diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). I wanted to be more active; I wanted to reverse the effects that obesity had on me. When I started my weight loss journey I was 275 pounds, not a high point in my life. So, my PCP referred me to the UMass Memorial Weight Center. Everyone there was wonderful! I always felt informed and never felt ashamed of myself. I decided on the gastric sleeve weight loss surgery. I had the surgery in December 2014 and am doing well. I am down to 207 pounds, that's a total weight loss of 68 pounds. While I am still not at my goal weight, I am starting to feel a lot better. I feel more awake, not so tired. I am controlling my food impulses. Every day is a journey for me. I even believe that my PCOS and OSA could go away when I lose more weight. This has been the best decision of my life. The Weight Center team and my surgeon have been forefront in my journey of self-betterment. I feel great! I'm well because I am no longer obese and every day I am making better, healthier choices and will do so for the rest of my life. Thank you so much, UMass Memorial, you've changed my life! —Rachel Messier