Marcia Nagel, underwent her second total knee replacement surgery in September 2009.  Although she knew the surgery was necessary for her quality of life, the compassionate nurse also realized if she was unable to recover from the surgery, it might prematurely end her career.

When Bill Vandermeer shattered both of his heels after falling nearly 25 feet from a ladder, his professional hockey career should have been over. “It’s a career ending injury,” said Matt Hess, director of Sports Medicine and Wellness at Centerpoint Medical Center. “There’s not a documented case of someone returning to professional sports after such an injury.”

For nearly seven years, Joe Giangrosso was too tired to do much of anything despite spending 17 hours a day in bed. He was no longer able to work on a regular basis or enjoy the things he used to love. He was simply too tired. What he found out was astonishing.

There are three important motivators in David Rich’s life: his love of family, particularly his young grandsons; his passion for cycling; and his dedication to his 35-year-old dental practice in Lexington. When Dr. Rich needed to undergo a three-pronged surgery in April 2009 he was naturally concerned about recovery time and how quickly he could resume his active professional and personal pursuits.

Jean Beyer experienced symptoms last summer that are typical signs to get to an emergency department, stat. The 78-year-old Lexington resident had indications such as severe pain and a drawing down sensation in his neck that prompted a trip to Lafayette Regional Health Center one evening.

The eyes have it for Mike Kramer. The 68-year-old private pilot who lives in Lexington was having some difficulty landing his plane last summer. When Mike visited his ophthalmologist, Michael E. Somers, MD, for an exam at his Lexington clinic one Thursday, he was told cataracts were hindering his eyesight.

Lawrence Bolton is the epitome of a genuine family man. His wife of 60 years, JoAnn, is his rock; his three sons, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren are his pride and joy. So when Lawrence learned he had Stage IV non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in February 2010 after a visit to the doctor for stomach pains, the retired airline engine overhaul supervisor’s immediate thoughts turned to his family.

Marilyn Coleman - the 62-year-old is now cancer-free and thinks her victory over the disease is largely due to the CyberKnife® treatments she had at Midwest Cancer Care at Menorah Medical Center.

Sharon Fadler Frankel - the 54-year-old Leawood resident experienced sporadic, mild chest discomfort for almost four weeks. “The episodes would last just a couple of minutes and then disappear,” says Sharon. “With no personal or family heart disease history and no prior symptoms, a heart attack was the last thing on my mind.”

Local philanthropist and cancer survivor, Marlene Krakow, shares her story of healing, courtesy of 435SouthMag.com.

Shari’s husband, Jack Hyder, has suffered from Parkinson’s disease for almost 10 years. At the current stage of his condition, he is experiencing some cognitive changes. So maintaining his mobility and abilities are the top priorities for Shari and Jack. With Dr. Nashatizadeh’s help, they are able to do that.

When asked to define the rollercoaster of emotions they experienced when their daughter was born prematurely, Kristi and Jason Fine use words such as “scary” and “overwhelming”.

Vince Boggia has a family history of heart disease. His father succumbed to a heart attack at 57 years old, Vince’s exact age when he visited Gregory Chambon, MD, his physician at College Park Family Care Center in Overland Park in February 2009. “It was my annual physical,” says Vince. “I’m a stickler for preventative medicine.”

Recently, my husband was admitted to Research Belton Hospital for complications due to congestive heart failure. From the time he was admitted to the emergency room until he was discharged, he received excellent care from Dr. David Williams, nurses and all the staff at Research Belton.

Jeanne Hopkins has relied on Research Belton Hospital and her primary care physician, Gary Gustafson, DO, for a quarter of a century. Jeanne has her yearly mammograms and regular bone density tests conducted at the facility’s state-of-the-art imaging department and her husband, Richard, also uses Dr. Gustafson and the hospital for various medical needs.

When Pleasant Hill, Mo., resident Sherry Brisbin found a lump in her breast during a routine self-examination in March, she felt a painful and tender history repeating itself.

“I’ve got a lot of living to do.” - That’s a direct quote from 71-year-old Dale Flanagan, a Kansas City resident who has a renewed outlook on life following a health scare on April 6, 2010. Flanagan loved to eat greasy fried foods such as chicken, French fries and cheeseburgers. The salt shaker was a regular dining companion, and Flanagan slathered butter on rolls, baked potatoes and toast. He didn’t stop to think of the consequences his diet choices might have on his health.

Jennifer Bettis says Thanksgiving 2010 will forever have a special meaning for her and husband, Jay. “We’ll always have gratitude for our first child,” says Jennifer, who is due on November 26. “And for Dr. Starks.” The 35-year-old internal auditor says she believes Gregory Starks, MD, of Midwest Women’s Healthcare, PC, is a miracle worker of sorts.

The Allen's journey with Research Medical Center began with a phone call from Karen. My wife and I had gone through infertility at two different facilities dealing with many doctors and nurses. Karen set the bar extremely high in our opinion, After briefly speaking with her on the phone, we immediately felt she was someone we could trust