




"From the moment I became Andrew Sama's patient, my life took a turn for the better. I became a patient of an entire body of caregivers, educators, and professionals. "



"My game is not a sport. It's the game of life. I have an autoimmune disease called myositis. My treatment includes oral prednisone and monthly infusions of IVIG. When I first got sick almost 20 years ago I was 44. I was an elementary school teacher but had to leave due to extreme weakness in my arms and legs. I could barely walk or bathe myself. I refused to just give in to the disease and view my life as over. "

"This commendation goes to the team effort of three specific individuals that made it possible for me to continue to walk and live a normal unrestricted life. It started with the keen skills of Dr. Brian Halpern who instantly recognized that my sudden onset of shin splints was a serious lower back problem that had developed. I was training at 65 to take my first vacation in years to go climbing in the Alps."

"About a year and a half ago, I was having trouble with my left knee. Feeling very frustrated I decided to turn to the Internet. I looked up “top orthopedic doctors” and found Hospital for Special Surgery and Dr. David Mayman. After reviewing my case Dr. Mayman agreed to see me."



"At a dance I tripped on a chair, fell on my left side, and my left femur separated from my hip. Being in much pain, the local fire department took me to a nearby hospital in Long Island where I was operated on the next day for a partial hip replacement. Everything was going great but after five weeks I developed a staph infection that put me back in the hospital for 25 days. The prosthesis was removed, I was on intravenous antibiotics for eight weeks and spent the next eight months in a wheelchair."

"I had a wonderful experience. I had been suffering with a 'frozen shoulder' for nearly 9 months. I received prompt and courteous attention from Dr. Altchek and his staff at all times and would highly recommend their services."





