Patient Story: IBJI’s Community Outreach Helps Patient and Doctor Connect

Kate Shares How She Discovered IBJI

Kate, a senior from Highland Park, had been going to the North Suburban YMCA (NSYMCA) in Northbrook regularly for fitness classes. It was there that she learned about IBJI’s presentations to the community on orthopedic topics. Even though all of her doctors are at another health care system, she decided to schedule an appointment with IBJI Orthopedist Charles Lettvin, MD for a second opinion about a foot issue.

“After I knew that I had to see somebody else for my foot, I immediately thought of—and chose—IBJI because of the partnership they have with the YMCA doing monthly webinars,” Kate says. “These specialized doctors are going to know what to look for, and they’re going to be able to identify problems a lot quicker than someone who is more generalized. I think it’s a pretty good system that’s going on there.”

Getting a second opinion from Dr. Lettvin ended up being the right decision for Kate.

“What I liked was how Dr. Lettvin actually listened to what I needed in order to survive,” Kate says. “He gave me practical solutions to problems and explained a little more in detail about wearing this boot that I have to wear. For instance, it didn’t have to be worn 24 hours a day, which is what the first doctor had told me. Dr. Lettvin also told me to keep moving, keep walking, and he provided information that was practical for my life. I’m a fan of IBJI.”

“I liked was how Dr. Lettvin actually listened to what I needed in order to survive,” says. “He gave me practical solutions to problems and explained a little more in detail about wearing this boot that I have to wear. For instance, it didn’t have to be worn 24 hours a day, which is what the first doctor had told me. Dr. Lettvin also told me to keep moving, keep walking, and he provided information that was practical for my life. I’m a fan of IBI.”

Feeling much better, she says she has been able to organize her home. “I am accomplishing what I have been talking about doing for years. It’s actually happening.”

As a three-year member at NSYMCA, Kate had been focused on improving her knee mobility. She remembers seeing an IBJI presentation on arthritis, and since then, she has been regularly attending the virtual webinars that IBJI transitioned to as a result of the pandemic.

“The [arthritis] presentation was so easy to understand, and so pleasurable to listen to. It wasn’t clinical. What I said afterwards was, ‘Wow, these doctors actually speak the way people do.’ What I liked about it also were the visual aids that were provided. You could see and understand. It reinforced what was being said.”

What most impresses Kate is the uniqueness of the partnership between IBJI and the NSYMCA. “Not everyone is doing outreach, and I see it as important not just for old people but for any age,” she says. “I think if you’re a parent and you have kids, whether they’re involved in sports or not, kids are active by nature and there’s stuff that’s going to happen to them. Parents should be aware of what type of services are available to them to keep their child healthy or fix a problem. If you’re a parent, you want the best you can get. You want people specializing, people who really know the area of the body that has the problem.”

What most impresses Kate is the uniqueness of the partnership between IBJI and the NSYMCA. “Not everyone is doing outreach, and I see it as important not just for old people but for any age,” she says. “I think if you’re a parent and you have kids, whether they’re involved in sports or not, kids are active by nature and there’s stuff that’s going to happen to them. Parents should be aware of what type of services are available to them to keep their child healthy or fix a problem. If you’re a parent, you want the best you can get. You want people specializing, people who really know the area of the body that has the problem.”

You can tune in to IBJI’s upcoming webinars, or watch past events at ibji.com/virtual-events.

In addition, IBJI OrthoInform is a new podcast designed with patients in mind. IBJI physicians explain what you need to know about common orthopedic conditions, including what to expect before and after surgery. Learn more at ibji.com/podcast.