 The offices of Orthopaedic Associates were closed at noon May 1 to give physicians and co-workers the opportunity to say thank you and good luck to Stanley Stern. "Mr. Stanley", as he was fondly referred to by patients, retired from Orthopaedic Associates after 30 years.
Stanley was an orthopaedic technician even longer than his 30 years with the practice. He began his career, just out of the army, as an orderly at St. Joseph Hospital when it was still in east Baltimore. The hospital moved to Towson and Stanley's work in the emergency room was continually counted on by such physicians as Drs. Raymond Lenhard, H. Alvan Jones, William Horton, John Fahey and Donald Morrison. Dr. Morrison reminisced about how pleased the physicians were when Stanley was lured to join the group as it expanded to 1217 St. Paul Street. That was 30 years ago. Stanley's retirement is now considered by Morrison as the passing of an era, The Stanley Era. "His combination of skill, calm personality and dignity will probably not be duplicated in this day and age." said Morrison. "He will be missed." Stanley had special skills for handling the emotional needs of patients, especially children. It was a particular talent Dr. Morrison respected. For example, "removing a cast with a cast saw can be a frightening thing," said Morrison. "When children required a cast to be removed, the quick and easy way was to use the cast saw. Stanley always took the extra time with the children to cut the cast off by hand, calming the children and their parents." "His ability to help us care for our patients saved us time and energy." Dr. John Fahey remembered Stanley as a quick-study, many times able to anticipate how Dr. Fahey would approach certain fracture cases. "Stanley was very knowledgeable, reliable and always helpful,"said Fahey. |
X-ray supervisor Joan Walsch worked closely with Stanley for 29 years. Looking back she believed she has learned a lot from him and admired his professionalism. "He never said an unkind word," said Walsch.
"I never saw him angry. He was the ideal employee." Orthopaedic Associates' President Kenneth C. Gertsen, M.D. agreed and described Stanley as having a uniquely, kind approach which had a lasting impact on patients. "Many people, when they think about our practice, remember Stanley," reflected Gertsen. "He was warm and sympathetic to patients. It is not unusual for patients to ask how he's doing," said Gertsen. James Linz, CEO, recognized that Stanley's position will be a difficult one to fill. "Things won't be, as Stanley would say, 'just routine activity'," said Linz. "He is part of the institution of what Orthopaedic Associates is and has been. We wish him all the best." |
Inside This Issue
Warm Up Your Swing pg. 2
Patient Satisfaction and Making Headlines pg. 3
Orthopaedic Associates Expands pg. 4
