Cristina Genna

Thanks to Dr. Robert Marx, Jessica Hettler, and HSS, I was able to fulfill my dream of playing for the New York Yankees. Yes, you read that correctly. After two failed shoulder surgeries at different institutions in Pennsylvania and Delaware, I came to Dr. Marx desperate to be fixed. He was confident that he could help me fulfill my dream of playing the sport I loved again. After two more surgeries and lots and lots of physical therapy, my dream came true this past January when I put on the Yankee pinstripes and participated in the Fantasy Camp for Women in Tampa, Florida.

I'm not sure I'll ever be able to articulate to Dr. Marx and Jessica how grateful I am to them for never giving up on me. I am fortunate to say I am "Back in the Game" thanks to the wonderful staff at HSS. You have a lifelong cheerleader in me.

January 29, 2020:

Many thanks to HSS! In 2012 the idea of participating in the New York Yankees Fantasy Camp was a pipe-dream. Having already had 2 failed shoulder surgeries elsewhere, the chances of being able to play ball again were slim. Enter the Whitey Ford of my shoulder surgery journey, Dr. Robert Marx, whom I met in May 2012. When you can talk baseball with your surgeon you know he’s the one for the job. Two surgeries and 4 years later, Dr. Marx fulfilled his promise of helping me live out my dream of playing baseball for the Yankees & for that reason alone, I’ll always love him. Without him and his masterful surgical precision, there’s no way I would ever have been able to attend the Yankees Fantasy Camp in 2016. What was to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, quickly became an annual tradition.

Fast forward to this past January when I attended the Fantasy Camp for the fifth year culminating in my induction into the Camp’s Hall of Fame. This year’s camp would not have been possible without Dr. Josh Dines, who just 6 months ago repaired my torn rotator cuff and labrum which brought the tally to 5 surgeries.

Without these two men and their amazing teams, most especially Jessica Hettler, who was always an encouraging presence when I was certain I would never throw a ball again, I would not have been able to complete this journey that started so many years ago. You will forever be a huge part of my life and I will forever be indebted to you! Thank you for quite literally getting me Back in the Game!