Imagine not being able to enjoy your favorite activities like walking or riding a bike. Or having a difficult time climbing stairs or going grocery shopping. For thousands of people in our area, painful hips and knees are stopping them from living their lives to the fullest.
Help is now right around the corner. The new comprehensive hip and knee replacement program at University Medical Center of Princeton at Plainsboro (UMCPP) now has a dedicated home within the hospital: the Jim Craigie Center for Joint Replacement.
Named to acknowledge a generous gift from Jim Craigie, CEO of Church & Dwight Co., the center opened November 4 on the second floor of the hospital, near UMCPP’s state-of-the-art surgical operating suites.
The Jim Craigie Center for Joint Replacement offers the latest minimally invasive procedures, research-based clinical protocols, and a thorough program of pre- and post-operative care for patients receiving total knee or total hip replacements.
Mr. Craigie, who had both hips replaced at the former University Medical Center at Princeton, made the donation to honor his surgeon, W. Thomas Gutowski, MD, FAAOS, chief of orthopaedic surgery for Princeton HealthCare System (PHCS).
“I saw firsthand — or call it first hip! — the impact that this hospital, Dr. Gutowski, and his team have on people’s lives,” said Mr. Craigie. “I really can’t imagine a better experience, and now I want to make sure they get the recognition they deserve.”
“The new center, like the hospital in general, offers the latest technology and state-of-the-art surgical care and also is dedicated to providing personal care,” Dr. Gutowski said. “Every patient is different; and our surgeons, nurses, and therapists are entirely focused on making certain that our patients feel well cared for.”
“Thanks to the generous support of Mr. Craigie, we look forward to providing this new, innovative service to help our joint replacement patients reclaim their lives with less pain and greater mobility,” said James G. Demetriades, PHCS Vice President for Professional Services.
Patients will receive care from highly experienced, board certified orthopaedic surgeons who are supported by specially trained staff, including anesthesiologists, nurse anesthetists, hospitalists, orthopedic-certified nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and specialized technicians.
And imagine this — in most cases they will be on their feet walking the very same day as surgery, without pain.
For more information about the Jim Craigie Center for Joint Replacement at UMCPP, visit www.princetonhcs.org/jointreplacementcenter. See ad, page 13.
