After receiving care that she describes as above and beyond, Susan Fernandes nominated Southcoast Health Orthopedic Surgeon, Victoria Bruegel, MD to become a Southcoast Star through our Grateful Patient program.

This program gives our patients like Susan the opportunity to express their gratitude by making a donation on behalf of a Southcoast Health employee who has provided exceptional care.  

Susan, an orthopedic nurse at St. Luke’s Hospital, is familiar with the treatment journey patients go through from injury to recovery, with the help of Southcoast Health’s orthopedic team. However, it wasn’t until she experienced her own injury that she gained a personal understanding of the importance of orthopedic medicine.

When a misstep at home caused her to trip, Susan instinctively placed her right hand out to break her fall, hitting the ground. “I felt instant nauseating pain. It was everything I had heard my own patients describe,” said Susan.

Susan quickly iced her wrist, but the pain got worse. That’s when she decided to go to Southcoast Health urgent care.

“At urgent care, they told me I had fractured my wrist and I felt so anxious,” she said. “I didn’t know how I was going to be able to return to my daily activities like working, taking care of my family and home, and volunteering at our church with this injury.”

After a thorough and efficient visit at urgent care, Susan was referred to Dr. Bruegel for a follow-up appointment where they would discuss and plan the next best steps for her recovery.

At her appointment, Dr. Bruegel took the time to explain each step to assure Susan that her fracture would heal properly. Her treatment plan included wearing a cast for seven weeks with weekly x-ray appointments to make sure her bones stayed aligned. Susan says that with each visit she learned so much more about orthopedics. The weekly appointments also helped make her feel at ease and confident that she was in good hands. After the treatment was completed, Susan happily regained full function of her hand and wrist.

“Everyone in the office was so kind and welcoming. Dr. Bruegel followed through on each part of my care and exceeded my expectations,” said Susan. “I couldn’t have had a better experience and I am so grateful for her and our entire orthopedic team.”

If you’d like to honor a Southcoast Health Employee with an impactful Thank You, please visit The Grateful Patient | Southcoast Health.

grateful patient philanthropy