Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1518198
2 | Health Matters: Providence Saint John's Health Center Letter to the Community A t Providence Saint John's Health Center, we work hard to earn the trust and confidence of every single patient by showing our respect, compassion and professionalism to all. We strive to deliver personalized, world-class care to each and every person who enters our hospital. That approach is fundamental to our Mission and our values. When our physicians and caregivers restore faith in patients who have all given up hope and come to us as a last resort, that's when we know we are achieving our goal of providing the same level of care as an academic medical center. In this edition of Health Matters, you'll meet two sisters, both with the same type of brain tumor, who were misdiagnosed by multiple doctors. They found compassion, skill and effective treatment with Saint John's neurosurgeon Dr. Dan Kelly. You'll also find the dramatic story of a sports marketing executive who had a similar frustrating medical journey, one that led to paralysis. Fortunately, an emergency transport to Saint John's put him in the skillful hands of Dr. Daniel Nagasawa, a spine surgeon who quickly restored the amateur athlete's former level of performance and his confidence in doctors. And then there's Dr. Amit Kochhar, who brings smiles to his patients' faces—literally. He treats patients who have experienced facial paralysis and can no longer smile. Dr. Kochhar, the director of the Facial Nerve Disorders Program at Saint John's Health Center's Pacific Neuroscience Institute, is one of a small number of surgeons who are capable of performing this dynamic facial reanimation. Inside this edition of Health Matters, you'll also learn how young doctors become caring cancer specialists through the unique Donald L. Morton Complex General Surgical Oncology Fellowship at Saint John's Cancer Institute. As you turn the page, we hope to take you on a storytelling journey that provides a snapshot of the Saint John's physicians and medical professionals who go above and beyond to provide a unique healing environment for you and your loved ones. Take care and stay well, Jared Amerson, Chief Operating Officer Providence Saint John's Health Center