Surgeons at Porter and Parker Adventist Hospitals give free joint replacements to patients in need in time for the holidays

DENVER, Dec. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Greater numbers of Americans are insured than ever before, but many still fall through the cracks and are forced to live with debilitating and painful conditions that drastically impact their quality of life. For these patients, the gift of a free joint replacement can be the difference between a lifetime of pain and reduced activity or a future filled with hope, mobility and independence.

This December, surgeons at Porter and Parker Adventist Hospitals will again participate in the nationwide Operation Walk program to give life-changing operations to six Colorado patients in financial need at no cost.

"Operation Walk is one time each year we can give back and give patients a chance at a life they didn't have before," said Dr. Jason Jennings, an orthopedic surgeon practicing at Porter. "For some that may just mean going to the grocery store without pain or traveling. The bottom line is we improve their quality of life."

Terry Bothem, one such patient, is a firefighter in St. Mary's who's lived with debilitating knee pain for more than 15 years. Scheduled for a total knee replacement on Dec. 7, Bothem choked up when he realized he would be able to return to the front lines, fighting wildfires next to his "brothers and sisters" in the department.

"I don't have health insurance. My bosses and my employer are good to me, but it's a small district and there aren't a lot of funds," Bothem says. "It's a beautiful program. I just want to get the word out for other people in the same situation as me so they can get it done."

Operation Walk, now in its 23^rd year, connects dedicated orthopedic surgeons to uninsured or underinsured patients around the United States with no access to orthopedic care. More information about the program can be found at: http://www.operationwalkdenver.org.

Contact:

Christina Nicholson
Marketing & Media Relations
Porter Adventist Hospital
P. 303-765-6484
C. 763-670-2537

SOURCE Porter Adventist Hospital

Related Links

http://porterhospital.org