Turning to University Hospitals for Trauma Care

Gretchen Levy can’t count how many times she has stopped to check the mail while pulling into her driveway. But she can tell you that the last time she did was September 13, 2013. That day, with her hand still in the mailbox, Gretchen accidentally hit the gas, nearly severing her left arm from her body.

Thankfully, Gretchen didn’t lose her arm in the freak accident, but it was years before she was back to normal. “I had two different surgeries, but my arm didn’t heal correctly either time,” she shared. “For two years I was in constant pain, with my arm in a sling, all while trying to work and raise a family. It was horrible, but it became my new normal.”

Before a third surgery, Gretchen and her husband, Gregg, sought multiple medical opinions, traveling as far as Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Southern California. “The doctor out there told us if it were his family member needing surgery, he would send them to Dr. Sontich in Cleveland,” recalled Gretchen. “It made us realize how easy it is to take Cleveland’s amazing health care scene for granted.”

For Gretchen, the third time was the charm. Dr. Sontich performed an extensive surgery which included a bone graft from Gretchen’s hip to replace bone tissue damaged by an underlying infection. The recovery was arduous, but Gretchen’s arm finally healed normally.

“Traumatic events like Gretchen’s are unexpected and often life-changing,” said John K. Sontich, MD, UH Division Chief, Orthopedic Trauma and Post-Traumatic Reconstruction, who cared for Gretchen again in 2018 after a sudden fall. “Fortunately for our community, UH Cleveland Medical Center is a certified Level I trauma center and is staffed by a team of highly qualified caregivers who are committed to giving our patients the best possible outcomes and the best chance for recovery.”

“A lot of places have really good trauma care, but for the best you go to UH,” said Gretchen. “Everyone there is amazing. I wouldn’t recommend anywhere else.”