Golden, CO – Sept. 24, 2012 – Seventeen-year-old Paschal Nwankwo’s long walk to recovery began a year ago at a Nigerian hospital where he met Colorado resident and Panorama Orthopedics surgeon Dr. Jared Foran. Today Paschal is in Denver, and Dr. Foran has fulfilled a promise and incredible journey of his own. On September 20 at OrthoColorado Hospital, Paschal underwent hip replacement surgery and is now in physical therapy, with the hope of walking normally for the rest of his life.
Thanks to Dr. Foran’s crusade to marshal resources and support, OrthoColorado Hospital at St. Anthony Medical Campus, Panorama Orthopedic physicians and St. Anthony Hospital Foundation contributed funds, services, time and personnel to save Paschal from a life of crippling pain. Zimmer, a maker of orthopedic reconstructive devices and surgical products, donated a total hip implant.
On a September 2011 volunteer medical trip, Dr. Foran diagnosed Paschal’s complicated hip fracture. Treated by a traditional bone setter, the three-year old fracture had healed poorly and left Paschal, after a year in bed, with a severe and painful limp. With one leg several inches shorter than the other, the teenager relied on a walking stick to get around, unable to play soccer or find work to support his family.
Paschal and his mother had walked miles to see the visiting American surgeons. “One week and 18 surgeries later, we realized it was too dangerous to operate on Paschal’s hip without the proper tools and equipment,” said Dr. Foran. He described as heartbreaking having to watch Paschal and his crying mother walk away, the son leaning upon her shoulder and his cane. “I told them I would try to bring them to the U.S. for surgery,” recalled Dr. Foran.
Now with the required equipment, facilities, personnel and post-operative care environment, Dr. Foran has performed an operation he’s waited a year to do. Panorama Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Peter Lammens assisted. Paschal continues his physical therapy at OrthoColorado Hospital.
For Father Charles Anedo, Chaplain, St. Anthony Hospital Pastoral Services, the sheer logistics making the young Nigerian's Colorado surgery possible are surpassed by “a greater sense of providence.” He points to the fact that he first met Father Emmanuel Umezinwa, who has traveled here as Paschal's guardian, during his own pastoral studies and early service in Nigeria years ago. “Without Father Emmanuel's help," Father Charles recounts, “it is quite unlikely Paschal could have obtained the necessary visa for the journey.” Father Charles is hosting the two Nigerian guests at his Denver home.
“We are thrilled to help Dr. Foran keep his promise to Paschal. For OthoColorado Hospital to provide this surgery reaffirms our mission to help patients achieve the best quality of life, and on a personal level is deeply rewarding for all involved in making this possible,” said Jude Torchia, CEO OrthoColorado Hospital.
“We are honored to donate the airfare for Paschal and Father Emmanuel to fly from Nigeria and play a part in this amazing journey that will forever change a young man’s life,” said Leslie Strate, Chief Development Officer, St. Anthony Health Foundation. “Being able to bring our mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ to life, locally and half way across the world, is truly special.”
Said Panorama Orthopedic CEO Eric Worthan, “Dr. Foran, like all of our staff, embodies Panorama’s values. As a physician-owned enterprise, Panorama doctors do what's best for patients in a caring, attentive manner, producing the best outcome and experience for every patient. And they will go to great measures to accomplish this, as Dr. Foran did for Paschal.”
About Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center
Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center is dedicated to providing the best orthopedic care possible for everything from shoulders to feet to all of the bones and joints in between. Conveniently located in Golden, Littleton and Westminster, its team of highly renowned Colorado orthopedic specialists and surgeons focus on sports medicine; spine; joint replacement; orthopedic trauma; foot and ankle; and hand and elbow.
About OrthoColorado Hospital
OrthoColorado Hospital is dedicated to providing advanced orthopedic and spine care with an unsurpassed level of service to help patients achieve the best quality of life. Located at the St. Anthony Medical Campus, OrthoColorado Hospital is a partnership between Centura Health and orthopedic physicians.
About St. Anthony Health Foundation
St. Anthony Health Foundation, a division of Catholic Health Initiatives Colorado Foundation, is the nonprofit fundraising arm of St. Anthony Hospital. The Foundation raises funds to support St. Anthony Hospital’s programs and services, both in the hospital and in the community. Fundraising emphasizes programs that benefit the underserved, the elderly, and the community at large. One hundred percent of all donations to St. Anthony Health Foundation go to support the cause. No donation is used for operating costs.
Media contact:
Amy Fletcher, 720-350-3144, amy@amyfletchermedia.com
