My experience with the surgeon, Dr. Charles Goodwin, and staff of HSS was exceptional. In November 2010 I underwent a lower back disc fusion followed six weeks later in December 2010 by a neck disc fusion. After nearly a year of hard-to-manage pain caused particularly by the lower back disc problem, the surgery relieved the pain and within four months of the surgeries, I was back to jogging in Central Park. The experience at HSS itself was phenomenal- from the folks who did the pre-surgical exams to the nurses and physical therapists, the overall care was constantly thoughtful, careful, and precise. I was made to feel a participant in my own care, my domestic partner was treated with respect and included in every aspect of my treatment and care, and I was consistently impressed by HSS's dedication to being sure of their information (repeatedly asking my name and birthdate) and managing my pain and comfort level. Since my experiences at HSS, I have recommended the hospital to at least ten of my friends and colleagues who have need of orthopedic assessment and surgery. I cannot recommend HSS highly enough and have my own excellent experiences and results to speak for themselves!