Page 10 - HNW Spring Magazine 2024

Getting the Most Uncommon
Out of Your
Membership
As President of Healthnetwork Foundation,
I enjoy speaking to groups of CEOs about
what we do. We are a unique group and
people often struggle to define us. Are we
a charity? Are we a referral service? Are we
concierge medicine? Yes, yes and yes… kind of.
As far as we know, Healthnetwork is
the only nonprofit that does what we do:
connect CEOs and family offices with top
hospitals and doctors for world-class care
and facilitate philanthropic funding for
medical research.
I regularly hear two sentiments from
our members:
1. “I am so lucky/fortunate/blessed.”
2. “If you don’t have your health, nothing
else matters.”
It’s so true, isn’t it? You can “have it all”
and then you draw one unlucky health card,
and suddenly all you care about is getting
to the right doctor as fast as possible.
Healthnetwork makes that possible for you.
If you can take some time in advance to
understand what we do and how it works,
you’ll be positioned to act swiftly when a
health issue arises.
If you would like me to come speak
with your group (in person or virtually) to
explain more about how you and your peers
can take advantage of the resources and
connections Healthnetwork offers, I would
be honored. And your group members will
thank you for years to come! Please call or
email me anytime. ✦
MEGAN FRANKEL
President
Healthnetwork Foundation
+1 440-264-1923
mfrankel@
healthnetworkfoundation.org
10 Healthnetwork Foundation | www.healthnetworkfoundation.org
something drastically different or the ankle
Surgery, Expert
Surgeon
Steve Kramer and Cindy, his wife of almost
30 years, had planned a great trip—biking in
Mallorca and traveling through Spain and
Portugal. It should have been a lovely time
without a care in the world. But a long-time
ankle injury flared up, and in Lisbon Steve
found himself unable to walk through the
cobblestone streets. Something had to change.
teve has had problems with
S his ankle for most of his life,
but he’s always found ways
to manage it and stay active.
“When I was young I badly sprained
my left ankle a few times. It probably never
healed properly. I’m very active, and I’ve
worn out the protective cartilage in my
ankle over the years.”
Over the last decade or so, Steve has had
a couple surgeries to clean out scar tissue
and bone chips. Annoying, but he hasn’t let
it slow him down. Until Lisbon. Not being
able to walk through the beautiful, historic
city really bothered Steve.
“I couldn’t walk more than five minutes.
It was too painful. I got an electric scooter
so I didn’t curtail our activities.”
YPO has been an invaluable resource.
I’m grateful for the connection to
Healthnetwork and glad to make a
donation as a little give-back.
Bone on Bone
When Steve and Cindy returned home to
southern New Jersey, Steve immediately
began looking into resources in the
Philadelphia area. He knew he had to do
issue was going to continue interfering with
his active lifestyle. Steve suspected he would
need ankle replacement surgery, and this was
confirmed by his local physicians. The cartilage
in his left ankle was completely worn down,
resulting in arthritis and bone rubbing on
bone. Steve read research papers and looked
into the backgrounds of surgeons. He watched
videos to understand the medical implant
device options.
He wanted to speak with people who’d had
similar surgeries, but had a hard time finding
anyone. “Everyone knows someone who’s had
a knee replacement. How many people do you
know that have had an ankle replacement?
Most people know no one.” Steve Kramer is grateful to be walking again,
Finding a surgeon he felt confident with pain-free, after his ankle replacement surgery.
also proved to be a challenge. Steve met with Photo courtesy of Reed Kramer.
a surgeon who came highly recommended.
But when she told Steve she did 20–25 ankle
surgeries a year, he knew he couldn’t go forward.
“I wasn’t comfortable with that,” he says.
“If you want good carpentry, you get someone
who does what you need every single day. At Your Service: Kim Dixon
I wanted someone who was doing at least two “Steve’s extensive research had already led
of these surgeries a week.” him to see multiple specialists prior to
looping us in. I felt like we were detectives
That’s More Like It working together to figure out the next step.
Steve knew about Healthnetwork through The choice was clear: Hospital for Special
his YPO membership, and reached out for help
Surgery and their top-notch foot and ankle
finding a more experienced surgeon. His service. Dr. Demetracopoulos is a phenomenal
medical coordinator, Kim Dixon, connected surgeon and turned out to be a great fit for
him with Dr. Constantine Demetracopoulos Steve. Since his successful surgery, Steve has
at the Hospital for Special Surgery. Steve graciously spoken with two others who were
was impressed with his background, training considering ankle replacement. He even had
and credentials. “I found out he did 125 one person speak to Dr. Demetracopoulos
ankle replacements a year and thought, that’s during his own follow-up consult! Steve’s
more like it.” collaborative spirit, determination, generosity,
This was Steve’s first time having major and kindness are delightful, and I look
surgery, and he was nervous about getting forward to supporting him and his loved
this highly specialized procedure. But ones for years to come.”
everything went just as Dr. Demetracopoulos
had explained it would. The surgery went well,
KIM DIXON
and Steve was back home the same day with Relationship Manager
and Medical Coordinator
minimal pain. “I was back to doing everything
within four months!” ✦
One Call Starts It All +1 (866) 968-2467 +1 (440) 893-0830 11