Jose Mercado's Story
May 20, 2021Standing Strong Together
A Team Approach To Patient Care
José Mercado had tried to manage his diabetes. But when his construction job ended, he had no insurance, and could not afford to refill his medication or see a doctor about a growing sore on his foot. When his foot pain became unbearable, José went to Holy Cross Hospital’s Emergency Department. Within hours, he had surgery to amputate his leg below the knee. José was devastated. “I was without hope. All I wanted to do was to be able to work again,” he said.
While in Holy Cross Hospital, José met diabetes educator Eva Gonzalez, RN, who knew that his recovery would be difficult, physically and emotionally. Eva brought in Lourdes Nuñez, RN, diabetes educator, and Sarah McKechnie, manager, Disease Management Services, to explore resources at Holy Cross and reach out to their connections in the community that could help José return to work and regain his life. One of those community connections was Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics (MCOP), which generously offered to create a prosthetic leg for José as one of the pro bono prostheses they offer each year.
Lourdes Nuñez and Sarah McKechnie were with José Mercado when he took his first steps with his new prosthesis. (Photo was taken prior to COVID-19.)
After his stay at a rehab facility, Lourdes coordinated José’s follow-up appointments and communicated with the care team at Holy Cross Health Center in Aspen Hill, which provided physical therapy, diabetes management, nutrition resources, and transportation assistance to José – all part of Holy Cross Health’s community benefit program.
When José was fitted with his new prosthetic leg at MCOP, “Lourdes and I were there to see him take his first steps using the parallel bars,” said Sarah. “We knew this was a miracle we would always remember.” Within five months of his surgery, José became so adept with his prosthesis that he was able to return to work. His diabetes continues to be well managed by his Holy Cross Health team.
“Little by little I am able to do everything I could before, even laying floors,” said José. “I am so thankful.”
"It takes a team working together to be successful," said Sarah. "We were able to involve many departments in José’s care — to treat the whole person, so he could return to his normal activities in the best shape possible.”
