America at Its Best: Memorable Moments from Kitch’s Total Knee Replacement Surgery, Part 1.

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Digital photographs by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. William Hazlitt

Lasting Impressions

William Hazlitt’s 15 words got me thinking about several people who helped us during Kitch’s total knee replacement surgery at Geisinger-CMC in Scranton. Hazlitt’s beautiful words were written a long time ago, but they have value to every patient and caregiver who face the reality of serious surgery. When anxiety levels are high, the actions and words of the people you meet leave lasting impressions on the heart and soul.

This is an attempt to chronicle our experience and thank the people who went out of their way to calm our fears with a gentle word, a kind look and a good-natured smile.

Arrival

We arrived at the hospital shortly at 5:45 a.m. We were anxious. The both of us have had serious surgery, and we know the rules of the road as it were. Despite the early hour, we were greeted in a friendly way in admissions. After the traditional forms were signed, and Kitch received her wrist band, we took the elevator to the fifth floor.

It was 5:57 a.m. when Kitch received her room assignment and the items she would wear for surgery.

At 6:21 a.m., a pleasant nurse helped Kitch with a number of things including additional wrist bands that clearly identified cautions and vulnerabilities.

At 6:49 a.m., nurse Betsy Guinan, the Nurse Navigator for New Steps Joint Replacement Center, walked into our room. She presented Kitch with a personalized edition of NEW STEPS NEWS. The headline summarized the story, KATHLEEN MUSSARI TO HAVE A NEW KNEE. The lead story offered this advice, The Big Day…don’t be nervous!

This gesture brought a smile to Kitch’s face, and it helped the both of us relax. We felt very comfortable with Betsy because we had a connection with her from what we affectionately call the “knee school.” Three weeks earlier, Betsy conducted a comprehensive introduction to the surgery, and its aftermath. During that session, Betsy shared valuable information about every aspect of knee replacement surgery.

Equally important, she created a sense of community and belonging for the patient and the caregiver. She made everyone in the room feel a sense of connection with her and the other members of Dr. Harry Schmaltz’s team. We weren’t numbers. We were people with a medical problem they intended to address with the best medical and therapeutic techniques available.

On this morning of apprehension, Betsy’s kind way and her engaging smile made our reunion with her very special. She calmed our fears and she lifted our spirits at a time when we needed encouragement. When she left the room, Kitch was ready to take the next step on her journey.

Waiting and Hoping

At 7:06 a.m., Kitch was taken to the second floor of the hospital where she would be prepped for the operation. That involved conversations with her surgeon Dr. Harry Schmaltz, the anesthesiologist, the nurse anesthetist, and an unexpected, pleasant meeting with a nurse, Eileen who had a home town connection with Kitch. Their conversation about graduates from Dunmore High School helped Kitch to think about something other than the operation.

While Kitch was in surgery, I tried to pass the time in productive ways. To be honest, it wasn’t easy.

At sometime after 8 a.m., I went outside for a walk. Much to my surprise, I watched a crew of workers with brooms and dustpans cleaning both sides of the street in front of the hospital. I was impressed by the way they did their job.

I had a chance meeting with an old friend whose wife was having partial knee replacement surgery. We talked about our childhood experiences in a neighborhood barber shop where he learned to read, and I learned the power of community.

When I returned to the fifth floor, I watched a woman with a duster clean every nook and cranny of the hallway. She was determined to do her part to maintain a high standard of cleanliness.

As I watched Karen work, I thought to myself how important this work is, and how conscientiously she is attending to it.

When the operation was finished, I was called to the nurse’s station to answer a telephone call from Dr. Schmaltz. His words were reassuring:

“The operation went well. There were no complications. All of her vital signs are positive. She is in the recovery room, and she is doing well.”

Without question, that was the best news of the day.

Together Again

It was 12:01 p.m., when the elevator door opened, and Kitch was brought back to the New Steps section of the fifth floor.

At 12:15 a delightful woman, Danielle Mazzoni, a nurse assistant, was attending to the things that would make Kitch comfortable. Danielle has been doing this kind of work for 17 years.

Two words best describe Danielle’s care, competent and compassionate. One word describes her demeanor, charming.

About an hour later, the door opened and a young woman with a beautiful smile entered the room with Kitch’s lunch. Mahadevi works in nutritional services. The words at the bottom of her identification card read “Make it the best.” She did exactly that with her courteous and cooperative manner and a smile that was just what the doctor ordered for a recovering patient and an anxious caregiver.

At 1:32 p.m. we received a visit from a respiratory therapist named Karen. She has been doing this kind of work for 35 years. She told us she loves her job, and it shows.

Karen is on a mission to protect patients from hospital acquired pneumonia. Standing at the foot of Kitch’s bed, she carefully explained how that is accomplished. It’s not all that easy to do the appropriate exercises 10 times every hour, but Karen inspires her patients to make the effort.

Kitch respected the information Karen shared, and she honored her suggestion to do the breathing exercise.

For most of the afternoon, Kitch rested. She obliged the visits she received from nurses and therapists who monitored her progress and checked a number of devices that guaranteed a successful outcome.

At one point, she slowly took her first steps with the help of a physical therapist. She also had her first cup of coffee, and she talked with her cousin on the telephone.

At 2:37 p.m., she had a priceless moment with a Chaitali Patel a member of the food services team. When Chaitali walked into the room to discuss the dinner menu with Kitch, her beautiful smile evoked a wonderful response from Kitch:

“You are a delightful young lady.”

The picture of Chaittali and Kitch is classic proof of the wisdom of William Hazlitt’s
words.

When I left the hospital at 8 p.m., I knew that Kitch was in good hands.

Day one was a great success thanks in no small part to the incredibly successful process created by Dr. Harry Schmaltz and executed by members of his New Steps team and the Geisinger-CMC team. Yes, the medical science was right. Yes, the competence of the medical care Kitch received after the operation was right. There was, however, one differential in her care. It can best be described with an adaptation of the words of William Hazlitt:

The gentle words we heard lifted our spirits. The kind looks we received gave us a feeling of community and belonging, and the good natured smiles worked wonders for both the patient and her caregiver.

Thank you, Betsy.

Thank you, Eileen.

Thank You, Karen.

Thank You, Danielle.

Thank You, Mahadevi.

Thank You, Karen.

Thank You, Chaitali.

Thank you, Dr. Schmaltz, and a special thank you to the nurses and therapists who took care of Kitch throughout the day and during the long hours of her first night in the hospital.

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com

America at Its Best: Memorable Moments from Kitch’s Total Knee Replacement Surgery, Part 2.

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Digital photographs by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

There is no medication like hope, no incentive so great and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow. Orison Swett Marden

Doctors of Hope

Kitch began her second in the hospital at with a visit from our family doctor, Dr. Sal Lawrence. Dr. Lawrence has been treating members of Kitch’s family for years. He is available, encouraging and helpful. He maintains a very successful practice which is designed to treat the patient as a member of the family.

On this day he walked into Kitch’s room at 7 a.m. As Kitch recalls it, he began his conversation with a very positive progress report. The surgery went well. The pain is being controlled. Then he asked Kitch how she was feeling.

Before Dr. Lawrence left the room, he offered encouragement and support.

Then it happened. Kitch had breakfast, and she took a variety of pills that are designed to help manage pain. She had a negative reaction to the medications.

Shortly after this unfortunate episode, Kitch’s surgeon Dr. Harry Schmaltz made the first of two visits to her room.

He reinforced what Dr. Lawrence said about the procedure adding one important detail. The operation enabled him to straighten Kitch’s leg.

He addressed the issue Kitch was having with the medications. He prescribed some alternatives, and he assured her the condition will be carefully monitored.

Kitch remembers two things from this visit:

1. The good news the valgus deformity had been corrected and her leg was straight;

2. The kind and helpful manner of Dr. Harry Schmaltz when he inquired about the problems she was having with nausea and dizziness.

When I arrived at the hospital at 9 a.m., Kitch told me about her situation, and she shared the details of her visit with Dr. Schmaltz:

“He was very solicitous. He offered a concrete solution. He made a point to do everything he could to get me relief.”

Just as she finished that sentence, a nurse arrived with the new medication. For the rest of the morning Kitch rested.

At 9:26 a.m., Dr. Schmaltz returned to Kitch’s room to check on her. He assured Kitch that everything would be OK. He told her about the new medications, and what she could expect.

As I listened and watched Dr. Schmaltz work with Kitch, I thought to myself this is a good man. He genuinely cares about his patient. He is a surgeon with a heart and an ability to effectively connect with his patient.

His parting words to the both of us were very reassuring, “We will watch this situation carefully. There are no absolute deadlines. We will take it one day at a time.” His kind words gave us hope.

News of the Day

Obviously we were worried. We needed something to lift our spirits, and it happened when Betsy Guinan entered the room.

With a pleasant smile of encouragement and understanding, Betsy gave Kitch the second edition of the NEW STEPS NEWS. The headline read KATHLEEN MUSSARI HAS A NEW KNEE. The six articles addressed the road to recovery, the removal of the bandages, the drain and the IV tubing, the first steps to recovery and the importance of going home.

Unfortunately, all these things had to be delayed until Kitch was able to stabilize her system and process food.

Betsy and the other nurses who visited Kitch throughout the day were very helpful in this regard. They attended to all of her needs in a very professional and effective way.

At about 10 a.m. a physical therapist and an intern arrived. Because of Kitch’s weakened condition, the physical therapy session was postponed.

Special Visitors

At 12:15 p.m., Kitch received her first visitor Dr. Gale Jagger. Gale has been our friend since the day we met almost 20 years ago. She is a delightful person who is blessed with a great mind and a caring heart. Before coming to Marywood, Gale worked in the corporate world. Gale taught in the business division at Marywood until her retirement in 2013.

For about 20 minutes, she shared funny stories about her adventures with her grandson and her mother. Her laughter was infectious, and it was great medicine for Kitch.

At 2:15 p.m. an impressive young man named Cameron visited with Kitch. Cameron is studying to become a physical therapist. He has everything it takes to be a very successful health care professional, the gift of compassion, the art of conversation, the tact of a diplomat along with the desire to become a competent and skilled practitioner.

It was obvious that Kitch would not be able to do any strenuous exercises so Cameron took measurements of the movement of her knee.

When Cameron left, Kitch asked me to turn out the lights so she could get some rest. For the next two hours she slept.

At 5:15 p.m. there was a knock at the door, and much to our delight when the door opened Pete and Joanie Loftus, Kitch’s brother and sister-in-law, crossed the threshold.
The room filled with the positive energy, laughter, interesting stories and quips that are central to any family reunion.

Kitch is very fond of her brother and his wife. They both have a special place in her heart. Their unexpected visit provided a very happy ending to a long day.

Going Home

Before I left the hospital, I visited with one of Kitch’s night nurses, and I thanked her for her kindness to Kitch.

On my way to the parking garage, I heard a voice call me from a white car. When I turned to see who it was, I looked in disbelief. It was Dr. Schmaltz.

He was returning to the hospital.

For the next 10 minutes or so, we had a great conversation about Kitch’s condition and his hope that she would be released tomorrow.

For my part, I told him that we were very impressed by the quality of his care and the effectiveness of his team.

That comment enabled him to share his idea that healthcare professionals working together as a team is essential for positive patient outcomes. Every member of the team is important.

James Lane Allen, a novelist and short story writer, believed that adversity does not build character. It reveals it. Everything that happened during Kitch’s second day in the hospital reinforced the truth and wisdom of that statement.

Several times while I was driving home, I thought about the events of this day. Every time I reconstructed the sights and scenes in Kitch’s hospital room, I said to myself how fortunate we were to connect with Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists.

Yes, there were inconveniences and a few delicate moments, but during those moments Dr. Schmaltz, Betsy and the nurses who took care of Kitch did everything they could to address the situation in an expeditious way. She was never neglected. On the contrary, everything that happened provided an occasion for these professionals to do the things they were trained to do in a compassionate and effective way.

Every person who entered our room gave us hope that tomorrow would be a better day.

Orison Swett Marden, a man who spent a lifetime writing about success and how to achieve it, was right. Hope is the best medicine.

When I closed my eyes to end the day, I was convinced that tomorrow would be a better day.

Thank you, Betsy

Thank you, Cameron

Thank You, Gale

Thank you, Pete and Joanie

Thank you, Dr. Lawrence

Thank you, Dr. Schmaltz and all the nurses and medical professionals who helped us.

Please provide feedback to:

tony.mussari@gmail.com

America at Its Best: Memorable Moments from Kitch’s Total Knee Replacement Surgery, Part 3.

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Digital photographs by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

Determine that a thing can and shall be done and then… find the way. Abraham Lincoln

Dtermination

Four words best describe Kitch’s third day in the hospital: courage, determination, kindness and persistence.

Kitch had a very difficult night. The nurses went out of their way to make her comfortable and enable her to get some rest.

At 8 a.m., a smiling Dr. Sal Lawrence visited with Kitch. The secret to their relationship is trust. Kitch knows from past experience that Dr. Lawrence will make every effort to help her. He did just that with kind words of encouragement.

Shortly after Dr. Lawrence left the room, Dr. Schmaltz entered. Dressed in his blue scrubs, he addressed one of the most important matters of the day, the removal of the bandages and the Jackson-Pratt Drain, a post-operative drain used for collecting fluids from the surgical site.

A physical therapist helped Kitch get into her street clothes.

When I arrived at 9:30 a.m., Kitch was sitting in a recliner next to her bed. She was dressed in Bermuda shorts and a black shirt. For the first time, her swollen right knee and the bandage over the 6 inch incision were clearly visible.

We talked about a number of things including the decision to make this her last day in the hospital.

Quiet Heroes

At 9:39 a.m., a polite and personable member of the housekeeping staff knocked on the door. When she started to clean the room, we were impressed by her manner and style. Yes, she cleaned everything thoroughly, but she did something else that lifted our spirits. She talked with us with warmth and kindness.

Dorie has a million dollar smile and a personality to match. She did more than clean the room. She brought comfort to its occupants. Talking with Dorie was the respite care we needed at this critical juncture in the day.

Robert E. Hudachek is a licensed social worker. There is only one way to describe his work. He is a link between the hospital and everyone who enters the front door. Little did he know when he entered Kitch’s room that this day would be a reunion day.

In 2007, Bob was the social worker at the hospital where I had my open heart surgery. He remembered both the television series Kitch and I produced about open heart surgery and the book we wrote about our experience.

This was a serendipitous moment for the three of us. For about 20 minutes we talked about our common experiences.

Bob has all the paper credentials for the important work he does. Equally important, he has all the human skills, sometimes called soft skills, needed to be an effective liaison between patients, family members, employees and the hospital.

Geisinger-CMC is to be applauded for maintaining a position like this and employing a person like Bob to do this important work.

Medical Care with a Personal Touch

Our next visitor provided invaluable information, and she set the direction and the tone for the day.

Mary Dunleavy has been working with Dr. Schmaltz for 17 years. She is a physician assistant. Everything about her is impressive. She is thorough. Her knowledge of the field is comprehensive. She appreciates the anxiety and fear of the patient and the caregiver. She has the gift of communication. She uses it to articulate inspiring messages of cooperation, encouragement and hope. She is willing to take the initiative to help eliminate pain and stress.

When you talk with Mary Dunleavy she is focused. She is a very good listener. She has mastered the art of listening with her eyes as well as her ears.

We were fortunate to have three conversations with Mary. At 10:46 a.m., she visited with us in Kitch’s room. She reviewed the medications Kitch was taking and she suggested some alternatives. To increase the hemoglobin (the number of red blood cells) she suggested that Kitch be given iron by intravenous.

She reinforced one of the most important goals of the day. It is better to leave the hospital and go home to familiar surroundings than prolong the stay in the hospital. The longer the stay in the hospital, she told us, the greater the possibility of infection.

That was a message both Kitch and I needed and wanted to hear. With Mary’s help, we designed a strategy to make it happen.

It would not be accomplished without a good deal of determination, courage and perseverance by Kitch. These are core values Kitch has practiced throughout her life.

In 1970, there were virtually no women in broadcast news in our part of the state. Kitch was one of the first females to crack that barrier in radio. Throughout her career in both radio and TV, she was known for her determination to get the story and report it fairly without editorializing.

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she called upon these values to make it through chemotherapy and radiation treatment.

On this day, after a few setbacks caused by nausea and weakness, she managed to walk the hallway on the fifth floor twice, and she successfully demonstrated her ability to climb a few steps and get in and out of a car. Without meeting these requirements, she would not have been discharged from the hospital.

At 5:21 p.m., a nurse skillfully removed the needle used for intravenous therapy from the back of Kitch’s right hand, and we were ready to be discharged.

A Classic Act of Kindness

One of the most memorable acts of kindness Kitch experienced while she was in the hospital happened after Kitch was officially discharged from the hospital.

A young woman who worked at the nurse’s station in a non-medical capacity volunteered to look for a wheelchair and transport Kitch to the entrance of the hospital. Ambulatory services was backed up with a number of other patients who had been discharged at about the same time.

It is something Shannon Osborne had done many times before. It is not a part of her job description. Shannon is a pleasant person who likes to help patients when she can. In our opinion, what she did for Kitch and the spirit in which she did it gives truth to the prophetic words of Gabriella Cherup:

A hero is somebody who helps people

I had no hesitation about leaving Kitch at the entrance with Shannon while I went to the parking garage to get the car.

To my great surprise and delight, when I reentered the hospital to help Shannon, she and Kitch were engaged in a conversation with Dr. Harry Schmaltz. His hands filled with charts and papers, Dr. Schmaltz took the time to talk with Kitch.

A Hollywood screenwriter could not conceptualize a better ending. It was all there in that scene. The surgeon may well do miraculous work in the operating room, but it takes a team effort to be successful there as well as in the patient’s room after the operation.

At 7:15 p.m, Kitch was home. It was a wonderful sight to see her take her first steps into our garden.

Before we ended the day we talked about all the experiences we had, and all the kind people who contributed to the success of the operation. We gave thanks for a day when courage, determination, kindness and persistence prevailed.

The poetic words of Edgar A. Guest best describe the genuine Faces of America at its best who we met during Kitch’s total knee replacement surgery.

Courage was never designed for show;
It isn’t a thing that can come and go;
It’s written in victory and defeat
And every trial a man may meet.
It’s part of his hours, his days and his years,
Back of his smiles and behind his tears.
Courage is more than a daring deed:
It’s the breath of life and a strong man’s creed.

Thank you, Dr. Sal Lawrence.

Thank you, Dorie.

Thank you, Robert E. Hudachek.

Thank you, Mary Dunleavy.

Thank you, Barb.

Thank You, Shannon Osborne.

Thank you, Dr. Harry Schmaltz and the team at Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists.

Please provide feedback to:

tony.mussari@gmail.com

America at Its Best: Kitch’s Physical Therapy Begins, Part 4.

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Digital photographs by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting
people up. John Holmes

First Steps At Home

Physical therapy is an essential part of the recovery process for knee replacement surgery patients. Five words best describe this process: “There is no easy way.”

Kitch began her in-home physical therapy treatments 16 hours after she left Geisinger-CMC in Scranton.

To be honest, the highlight of our first day home from the hospital was a visit from Judy Cutler and Leigh Bales.

Judy is a manager at CareGivers America in Clarks Summit, PA. Leigh is an experienced physical therapist who had recently become a member of the CareGivers team of professionals who offer quality home health and hospice services.

From the moment our eyes met, the air was filled with positive energy created by the caring, respectful, and thoughtful demeanor of Judy and Leigh. They know exactly how to make the patient and the caregiver feel at ease, and they also have a well thought out strategy for the patient in their care.

Judy explained her role as a supervisor observing a new employee. Leigh explained the goals of this orientation session:

First she would record all of the data required by state and federal regulations.

Then, she would do a site assessment to guarantee the safety of the patient.

The final item on the agenda can best be described as information sharing. She would help us better understand exactly what to expect in the seven sessions that would follow. Essentially she gave us a blueprint of the next two weeks.

Then she went to work carefully entering the answers Kitch gave to her questions on her laptop computer. When she finished the patient history questions, she checked Kitch’s blood pressure and her range of motion. She told Kitch she would check her Coumadin levels regularly. Coumadin is essential to successful recovery. It helps to prevent the formation of blood clots.

When that was finished, Judy, Leigh and Kitch went on a tour of the rooms Kitch would be using every day. They checked for ease of access and anything that might be an obstacle for a person using a walker.

During the tour, they observed Kitch using the walker. When they returned to the living room, they talked about ways to manage pain. They also explained the proper way to do the mandated exercises.

They encouraged Kitch to eat nutritious meals and drink a lot of water. They assured her that every day the swelling in her knee would go down.

Everything was done in a supportive and understanding way. They recognized that the first few days of physical therapy might be difficult, but they assured Kitch they would do everything they could to diminish her discomfort and expedite her return to walking without assistance.

As I watched Judy and Leigh work with Kitch, I thought to myself they have a great gift. They know how to connect with both the patient and the caregiver. For them, this was more than a job, and Kitch was more than just another number in a file. While they were in our home, Judy and Leigh made Kitch feel like she was their only patient. They were not rushed, they were considerate. They were not distracted, they were focused. It was all about helping Kitch and giving her the assistance she would need to make tomorrow a better day.

Before they left, I took Judy and Leigh on a short tour of our garden. When we reached one of the focal points in the garden, I asked them to stand in front of the Angels of Freedom for a picture. As I focused the picture, I thought about the irony of this moment. The 40 angels in the background represent the heroic sacrifice these heroes made for their country. The two angels in the foreground are heroes of a different but equally important kind.

The words of Senator Paul Tsongas apply:

America is hope. It is compassion. It is excellence. It is valor.

These 12 words are a perfect description of Judy and Leigh. They personify America at its best because they give people hope with their compassionate care and their excellent knowledge and practice of the techniques of physical therapy. In so doing, they enable their patients to confront the obstacles they encounter on their road to recovery with courage.

Thank you, Judy.

Thank you, Leigh.

Thank you, Caregivers America.

Thank you, Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists.

Please provide feedback to:

tony.mussari@gmail.com

America at Its Best: Kitch’s Knee Replacement Surgery, Dr. Harry Schmaltz, Part 5.

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Digital Photographs by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

It is necessary that a surgeon should have a temperate and moderate disposition… He should be of deep intelligence and of a simple, humble, brave, but not audacious disposition. Guido Lanfranchi

The Kopen Standard

Three weeks before Kitch’s knee replacement surgery, I designed a graphic to express our feelings about our friend Dr. Dan Kopen. The note I wrote to Dr. Kopen began with these words:

Your call was the highlight of the week.  It came the day after I drove Kitch to Geisinger-CMC for pre-admission testing and an orientation about knee replacement surgery. You were with us on this journey, because we measure everyone in the medical profession according to the "Kopen Standard" of compassion, competence and understanding.

The message for the graphic was drawn from the priceless words of Dr. Elizabeth Kubler- Ross:

The most beautiful people…are those who have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and understanding of life that fills them with compassion, a gentleness, and deep loving concern.

During the past three years, Kitch has had four surgeries. Three were performed by Dr. Dan Kopen, and the most recent surgery was performed by Dr. Harry Schmaltz. Both surgeons have a lot in common.

During Kitch’s battle with breast cancer, Dr. Kopen set the standard for best practices. His actions and his relationship with us during that time and after defined the characteristics of a good surgeon.

During a chance meeting with Dr. Schmaltz on the second day of Kitch’s knee replacement surgery, I expressed our gratitude for his excellent treatment, and I told him about Dr. Kopen. Before our conversation ended, I made it very clear that he met the Kopen Standard.

The Qualities of a Good Surgeon

In the Middle Ages, Henri de Mondeville established this goal for a successful surgeon:

Let the surgeon take care to regulate the whole regimen of the patient’s life for joy and happiness by promising that he will soon be well, by allowing his relatives and special friends to cheer him… The surgeon must forbid anger, hatred, and sadness in the patient, and remind him that the body grows fat from joy and thin from sadness.

In 1824, Sir Astley Paston told his students:

It is the surgeon’s duty to tranquillize the temper, to beget cheerfulness, and to impart confidence of recovery.

In 1932, Wilfred Batten Lewis Trotter offered this insight:

It is sometimes asserted that a surgical operation is or should be a work of art … fit to rank with those of the painter or sculptor…

In 2004, Dr. H.Biemann Othersen, Jr. used the life of Dr. Ephraim McDowell, the first person to remove an ovarian tumor, to identify the characteristics of a successful surgeon. He identified them in what he called “C words,” the personal characteristics that enabled Dr. McDowell to be successful: Courage, Compassion, Commitment, Confidence, Competent, Careful, Courteous (Humble).

Those who knew Dr. McDowell said he was a man of benevolence, faith, truth and sincerity. One writer described him as a man with a perfect heart.

In 2007, Dr. Thomas R. Russell, the executive director of the College of Surgeons,
shared this thought with Alex Berenson who was writing an article for the New York Times:

A good surgeon also has to have compassion and humanity, and not be someone who is arrogant and difficult to deal with.

Dr. Russell also emphasized the need to be technically adept and the need to be able to change. In an age of minimally invasive surgery the old adage that great surgeons make big incisions no longer applies. Today, the goal is minimally invasive surgery.

Dr. Harry Schmaltz

It may surprise you to learn that the words of Guido Lanfranchi were written before America was discovered.

Yes, you read it correctly. These words were written in 1296 by the founder of surgery in France in a work entitled Chirurgia Magna:

It is necessary that a surgeon should have a temperate and moderate disposition… He should be of deep intelligence and of a simple, humble, brave, but not audacious disposition.

They reinforce the words of the late Dr. Thomas R. Russell and the 6 “C’s” of Dr. Ephraim Mc Dowell.

Lanfranchi’s though reminds us that words of wisdom last forever.

In my opinion, the offerings of these doctors provide an excellent description of what Kitch and I experienced working with Dr. Harry Schmaltz, the members of his office staff and his surgical team.

Dr. Schmaltz loves his work. He selects good people to work with him. He is innovative, and he agrees with the new adage: “Great surgeons make the smallest incisions possible.” He and the members of his team, go to great lengths to minimize pain and shorten the time patients stay in the hospital.

Dr. Schmaltz respects his patients and their caregivers. He is a good, decent, kind person and a competent surgeon with a detailed plan and a remarkable team which guaranteed the success of Kitch’s operation.

We are grateful that our paths crossed with this wonderful surgeon who personifies America and American health care at its best.

Please provide feedback to:

tony.mussari@gmail.com

America at Its Best: Kitch’s Operation, Quiet Heroes, Pt. 6.

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Digital Photographs by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

In our world of big names, curiously, our true heroes tend to be
anonymous. Daniel J. Boorstin

What Is a Quiet Hero?

Six years ago, Secretary of the Navy Donald G. Winter, defined quiet heroism with these words:

It does not boast.

It does not seek the limelight.

It is carried silently, with dignity, and with quiet pride.

It is completely unlike the trappings of those who are often acclaimed as heroes on television and throughout our popular culture.

The Chicago journalist, Studs Terkel gave us this definition of a quiet hero:

Heroes are not giant statues framed against a red sky. They are people who say: This is my community, and it is my responsibility to make it better.

A blogger, Marci Fair gave us another insight into the heart of a quiet hero:

A quiet hero is not a myth, an icon or a legend – it is someone who is solid, genuine and real. The critical factor is not scale of heroism, but in fact that someone chose to “do the right thing, at the right time.”

During Kitch’s total knee replacement surgery, we were privileged to meet several quiet heroes. The articles in this series were designed to express our gratitude to these people who, in our opinion, represent America at its best.

Today we want to thank two people we have never met. They are part of the heart and soul of Dr. Harry Schmaltz’s team. On several occasions they went out of their way to help Kitch resolve a number of problems she was having with the medications she was taking for pain.

Maryann is a nurse. She is a person with a caring heart and a willingness to help people. We do not know her last name, but we have a good idea about the beauty of her heart and the excellence of her service.

On several occasions she responded to our calls for help, and she never failed to respond in a timely way with good suggestions and encouragement.

Kitch and I are deeply grateful for her help.

Stephanie Bewick is the Practice Administrator at Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists. She has been doing this job for 23 years.

I met Stephanie on line three weeks before Kitch’s surgery. Since then, we have had a number of e-mail exchanges. Although we have never met, I think it is fair to say that Kitch and I have been blessed by the beauty of her heart of gold.

Here are a few examples that will help our readers better understand the fundamental kindness of this quiet hero.

The notes she writes are always filled with affirmation and gratitude.

On the day of Kitch’s operation, she promised to stay in touch with members of Dr. Schmaltz’s team to monitor Kitch’s progress. She also told us it was a good omen that the operation was taking place on her 45th wedding anniversary.

Whenever she can help she does. She answered one of my notes from a location outside of a theater in New York City.

She defined one of the cardinal rules of her office when she wrote these words:

“…communication is the key–and we continually have to strive to be available to our patients to answer their questions and ensure the best possible outcome.”

Stephanie knows the territory. She has had both of her knees replaced by Dr. Schmaltz. When I told her that Judy Cutler was at our first in-home physical therapy session, this was her reaction:

A friend I’ve known for 30 years…and my home therapist when I had my knees done. She is a great motivator…compassionate but knows what she is there to do…follow her advice and she’ll lead Kitch far…

Our most recent exchange was about caregiving;. I told her I enjoyed being a caregiver, and she responded with words that perfectly define who she is:

I too like to be a caregiver. 32 years ago my husband was in a car accident after we were married for 7 years. It left him as a quadriplegic. We just celebrated our 45th anniversary…so I understand the meaning of caregiver. When it’s someone you love…It’s never work.

Mary Ann and Stephanie are quiet heroes. They are motivated by service not celebrity. They want to do the right thing for people who need help. They are living examples of the truth of Daniel Boorstin’s belief. True heroes do what they do without noise or notice, and that is what America is at its very best.

Thank You, Maryann.

Thank You, Stephanie.

Thank you Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists.

Please provide feedback to:

tony.mussari@gmail.com

Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists, A Place of Competence, Compassion, Empathy, Encouragement and Respect

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Digital photographs by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

I believe compassion is accepting, loving and supporting yourself and others when they need it most – in whatever way you can. Amanda Gore

The Last Step

On an overcast July day, Kitch and I drove 32 miles to Dickson City to honor an appointment at Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists. There we met with members of Dr. Harry Schmaltz’s support staff in preparation for Kitch’s total knee replacement surgery.

According to the CDC, there were 719,000 total knee replacements in 2010. Some predict that by 2030, there will be 4 million knee operations annually.

These operations are not without complications. For the patient and the caregiver, they cause a good deal of anxiety and fear.

Our friend Amanda Gore teaches this truth: “Most of our challenges and difficulties are in our imaginations – the stories we tell ourselves about what will happen.”

Kitch and I know full well the practical implication of this truth. In the past seven years, we faced quadruple bypass surgery and breast cancer surgery. We know something about coping with fear and controlling the stories we tell ourselves about the surgery and its aftermath.

To be honest, both the patient and the caregiver need competent and compassionate care that includes encouragement, help, information and respect from all the members of the surgeon’s team.

That’s exactly what we experienced from the moment we entered the door at Scranton Orthopaedic Associates.

How Can I Help You

Someone once said the first steps are the most difficult. That’s exactly how we feel every time we enter a clinic, a hospital or a medical doctor’s office. The person who greets us sets the tone for the visit.

The person who greeted us at the reception area of the place we affectionately refer to as “SOS” was a polite young woman who asked if she could help us.

We answered in the affirmative, and she directed us to her cubical, Number 5. There, she entered the information Kitch provided into her computer, and then she assured us we would be called in a few minutes.

Georgia was pleasant and helpful.

Amelia E. Barr described the important role Georgia played in the success of our visit when she wrote these words:

One of the great helps to success is to be cheerful.

Getting Started

We sat quietly in the waiting room for about 10 minutes. In the background, we could hear the mummer of hushed conversations from other patients and unnerving reports of violence in Ukraine and Gaza from a television set mounted on the wall. A door opened, and a nurse with a very pleasant smile announced the next patient to be seen with one word, Kathleen.

We entered the inner sanctum as it were, and the nurse asked Kitch to stand on a scale in the hallway. After she teased me about taking a picture that included the digital print out of her weight, Kitch stepped on the scale, and I snapped a discrete picture.

Our next stop was a small but comfortable room where we would spend most of our time during this visit.

The nurse checked Kitch’s blood pressure and temperature. Before she left, she told us the physician assistant would arrive in a few moments.

She was efficient and very pleasant while doing her work.

Touching all the Bases

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants tells us there are over 95,000 certified physician assistants in the US. They see 7 million patients every week. This year, US News and World Report ranked physician assistant as one of the 15 best jobs in America.

Just before noon, we met one of the best PA’s in America.

Kathy Whitney graduated from Marywood University in 2013. She became Dr. Harry Schmaltz’s physician assistant shortly after her graduation.

If ever there was a person tailor-made for this profession, it is Kathy. Her communications skills and bedside manner are excellent. She greeted Kitch with a warm and heartfelt handshake. Her demeanor was calm, thoughtful, respectful and welcoming. She explained what she was going to do. She focused her attention on all the things that would be helpful to the surgeon and his team.

Kathy was able to make a human connection with Kitch. There was a special kind of warmth in her conversation and her actions. She made her patient and the caregiver feel comfortable and relaxed.

As I watched her examine Kitch, I thought to myself, Kathy has the gift of caring about her patients. She was not rushed. She was considerate, diplomatic, sensitive and kind. She included the caregiver as an equal partner in the process. More than once she asked me if I had any questions or concerns.

It was a pleasure to work with Kathy because she attended to all the little things that reduce stress levels.

At the end of the session, she did not point to the X-ray department. She took the time to walk Kitch to that part of the clinic, and she introduced her to the X-ray technician.

Kathy Whitney fits the description Charles Dickens used to describe excellence:

Whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do well; that whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself to completely; that in great aims and in small, I have always been thoroughly in earnest.

Taking Pictures

Diane, our X-ray technician, greeted us with a warm smile. She was most accommodating to Kitch, and she enabled me to take the pictures I needed for this article.

She is a very positive person who practices the art of problem solving.

We did not spend a lot of time with her, but the few minutes we were in the radiology department were productive.

Why you ask?

Diane knows what she is doing, and she does it efficiently, effectively and without much inconvenience to the patient.

These are essential attributes of good patient care, but Diane takes an additional step. She humanizes the process.

Diane gives special meaning to William Arthur Ward’s aphorism:

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.

Going Home

Less than an hour after we entered the examination area, we were standing in the check out area.

There were three people in front of us, and that gave me some time to think about our experience.

It was very obvious to us that the people we met did everything they could to guarantee a successful outcome for Kitch. They also were willing to do everything they could to make our visit pleasant.

An adaptation of the words of Orison Swett Marden describes the goal of the team at Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists:

They are determined that their work is going to stand for quality… that they are going to stamp a superior quality upon everything that goes out of their hands, that whatever they do shall bear the hallmark of excellence.

We would put it another way. They are determined to reflect the light of American medical care at its best.

Thank you, Georgia.

Thank you, Kathy.

Thank you, Diane.

Thank you, Dr. Schmaltz

Please provide feedback to;
tony.mussari@gmail.com

Our Day in Eagles Mere, PA – A Place Where Everything Old Is Refreshingly New Again

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Digital Photography by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

We live, in fact, in a world starved for solitude, silence, and privacy… C.S. Lewis

Climbing the Mountain

Eagles Mere is a beautiful little town. It sits majestically in the Allegheny Mountains. It was once a retreat for the wealthy. Today it gives respite to anyone looking for many of the values associated with America at its best: community, confraternity, mindfulness, respect, service, thoughtfulness, preservation and a peaceful and quiet sense of belonging.

At a time in our history when “me,” “now” and “noise” dominate our lives, Eagles Mere gives new meaning to the poetic words of Joaquin Miller:

God’s poet is silence!  His song is unspoken
And yet so profound, and so loud, and so far,
That it thrills you and fills you in measures unbroken—
The unceasing song of the first morning star….

On a beautiful July morning, Kitch and I visited this national treasure in search of peace, and quiet in a setting that encourages human connections and thoughtful solitude.

Mindful of Kitch’s impending total knee replacement surgery and determined to escape the drumbeat of the horrifying news of the day, we decided to celebrate Kitch’s birthday in this place of inspiring natural beauty where traditional values celebrate the past in order to make the present and the future more joyful.

A Lake of Water Lilies

Shortly after we arrived, we discovered a large body of water adjacent to the entrance to the Laurel Path, a popular destination for hikers. The Laurel Path is connected by a wooden footbridge to three other popular attractions for hikers: "Fat Man’s Squeeze," "Lovers Leap," and "Gypsy’s Landing."

We parked our car, and we walked to the edge of what is commonly known as the Outlet Pond.

The Outlet Pond is surrounded by lush trees. Water lilies cover the pond making it a fertile breeding ground for fish that eventually migrate to Eagles Mere Lake, a kidney-shaped, natural spring-fed lake three-quarters of a mile long.

For several minutes, we stood in silence while our eyes and ears recorded the sights and sounds of this natural sanctuary.

The expression on Kitch’s face defined the moment.

This beautiful setting gave truth to John Muir’s words:

Everyone needs beauty as well as bread, places to play and pray, where nature heals and gives strength to body and soul alike.

Living History

Eagles Mere was founded in 1898. Almost a century later, in 1996, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Eagles Mere Historic District contains 339 resources.

After we parked the car in front of the Sweet Shop, we stood in the middle of Pennsylvania Avenue admiring the huge clock that dominates the landscape in front of the restored General Store building. This structure houses several businesses including the Crestmont Bakery, the Museum & Gift Shop, Lakeside Traders shop and the Eagles Mere bookstore.

Our destination was the Museum & Gift Shop. There we had the good fortune to meet Linda Roman and Joan Werner.

Linda is a registered nurse. She and her husband decided to take a year off to stop and think about the direction and purpose of the next stage of their life. Linda works at the Museum Shop. Her husband works at Eagles Mere Lake. After a brief conversation about the culture of Eagles Mere in contrast with daily life in a big city, we were taken by Linda’s insight and her gentle and welcoming way.

We had an instant connection with Linda on many levels.

Joan Werner is the mayor of Eagles Mere. Originally from Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Joan made her way to Eagles Mere, and the rest as they say is history. She is a personable woman who is willing to go out of her way to introduce visitors to the many qualities of her community. Her enthusiasm is infectious. She loves to tell the Eagles Mere story.

While I explained the purpose of our visit to Linda, Joan took Kitch on a tour of the impressive museum that has the look and feel of exhibits we visited at Little Rock, Arkansas, Oklahoma City, Mt. Rushmore and Gettysburg. Obviously the scope of the museum in Eagles Mere is much smaller, but the quality is equal to any museum we visited during our Face of America journey.

We left the museum with a better understanding of the who, what, when, why and "so what" of the glassworks era and George Lewis who acquired the land in 1794 from the heirs of William Penn to the digital era which attracts people who yearn for the peace, quiet and fresh air of this mountain retreat.

Father & Son

While Kitch made her way to the bookstore located on the lower lever of the General Store, I stayed on the porch to talk with Neil Englehart and his 13-year-old son Nathan.

Neil is the chairman of the Political Science department at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. His credentials are impressive; Ph.D. in Political Science, University of California, San Diego, M.A. in Political Science, University of California, San Diego, B.A. in History and East Asian Studies, Oberlin College.

On this day, his most important title was dad. He and his son were riding bicycles along the quiet streets of Eagles Mere. Other members of his family were relaxing and doing enjoyable things.

When I asked Nathan what he liked most about his vacation in this small mountain town, his faced filed with a smile, and he replied without hesitation:

“Boating …It’s great.”

The image of a father and son having a wonderful time together touched my heart in a special way. It reminded me of a quote and two aphorisms I memorized when I was raising my children:

One father is more than a hundred schoolmasters. George Herbert

Don’t wait to make your son a great man – make him a great boy.  

He who can be a good son will be a good father.

I have a feeling that the memories made in Eagles Mere by Neil and Nathan will strengthen the bond between father and son.

Books and Lunch

When I caught up with Kitch in the book store, she was about to purchase the revised and expanded version of This Good Food.

Kitch loves to read, and she enjoys cooking. She never entered a bookstore she did not like. She was particularly fond of this store and the woman who owns the store. Peggy Martin was friendly and very helpful. She personifies the spirit that makes Eagles Mere so special. No one is in a hurry, and everyone is willing to put their best foot forward so that visitors will have a pleasant experience.

That’s the way it was at the Sweet Shop. Located in one of the oldest buildings in the town, it is immaculate inside. Our waiter Austin Wenger, a native of Lancaster, was pleasant and very efficient. The food, especially the salad, was delicious and the meal was reasonably priced.

After we finished lunch, we had a great conversation with Chris Little. He and his wife operate the Sweet Shop, but it is not his day job.

For several years Chris was an electrical engineer. In 1996, he became a pastor. With a smile on his face, he shared a secret with us:

“When God taps you on the shoulder, you pay attention.”

Visiting the Lake

It was Henry David Thoreau who said:

A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.

This is certainly true in Eagles Mere.

As we were leaving the Sweet Shop, Linda Roman was taking her lunch break. When she saw us, she crossed the street, and we talked about our decision to visit the lake. Linda volunteered to arrange a boat trip around the lake.

The three of us got into our car. We drove a short distance along Pennsylvania Ave. Then we made right turn, and we cautiously made our way down a windy street which took us to the lake.

Upon our arrival, Linda made several unsuccessful attempts to contact her husband. He operates the "Hardly Able," a canvas covered motor launch, boat. The Hardly Able and a life guard boat are the only gas powered boats allowed on the lake. Her kind gesture was but another example of Eagles Mere at its best.

When Linda walked to the village green gazebo, Kitch and I were alone at the boat launch. Surrounded by the peaceful serenity of the lake, we were mesmerized by the magnificent vista and the soothing sound of the wind and the rippling water.

For several minutes, we listened to nature talking to us. The silence was broken when Kitch spoke these words:

“This is the best birthday I have ever had. It is just perfect.”

Our visit to Eagles Mere Lake was relaxing and rejuvenating.

An adaptation of William Wordsworth’s words applies:

We were coming forth into the light of things, because we let Nature be our teacher.

Three Stops

When we returned to the center of town, Kitch resumed her tour with stops at a gift shop and the Lily Pad, a woman’s boutique.

While Kitch was shopping, I remained outside snapping pictures of family scenes as they unfolded in this magical town.

Together we entered the Crestmont Bakery in search of a hospitality gift.

There we met Logan Samuelsen and Sophie Eldridge. They helped us make the best decision.

We walked out of the bakery with a loaf of raisin & cinnamon bread, and positive memories of our conversation with two delightful young students.

Back to the Lake

Before we left Eagles Mere, we returned to lake. Knowing that our road ahead would be filled with many challenges, we wanted to see it, feel it and be touched by its healing energy one more time.

There is an anesthetizing quality to the lake and its surroundings. It gives special meaning to William Blake’s words:

Great things are done when men and mountains meet.

It puts Rachel Carson’s words in perspective:

It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know of wonder and humility.

We came to Eagles Mere to escape the harsh realities of our world, the “daily dyings” caused by unconscionable acts of terror, violence and warfare.

We left Eagles Mere refreshed, restored and thankful for the blessings of the freedoms and liberties we enjoy. The people we met and the places we visited form a mental wall of honor that will give us hope and compel us to frequently offer the words of e.e. cummings:

i thank You God for most this amazing
day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees,
and for a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes.

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com

Nine Faces of America at Geisinger-CMC in Scranton, PA

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

If we are to love our neighbors… we must see not just their faces but the life behind and within their faces. Frederick Buechner

Getting to Know You

On this fine July day, I drove Kitch to Geisinger-CMC in Scranton for pre-admission testing and orientation. In a few weeks, Kitch will have total knee replacement surgery. Like most people who have this kind of surgery, she has many questions, and she is coping with a good deal of anxiety and fear.

Everyone we met during this visit provided encouragement, help and valuable information that calmed our fears and made us feel comfortable. This is our attempt to say thank you for their kindness.

Mike’s Smile

When we pulled into the parking garage, we were intense. I think it was caused by fear of the unknown.

It was our good fortune to find a parking spot on the ground level very close to the entrance to the hospital. More important than the convenience of our parking place was the reception we received from the parking attendant, Mike. He greeted us with a big smile, and he told us where we would receive the complimentary parking ticket.

Mike’s office space is dark and cramped. He has no impressive letters after his name. He is, in our opinion, one of the most important people we met. He is the gate keeper so to speak and his welcoming way set the tone for our visit.

Thank you, Mike. You give meaning to the words of William Arthur Ward:

A Warm Smile is the universal language of Kindness

Barbara’s Manner

When we entered the admissions office, there was no one in the waiting room. In less than a minute, a woman with a pleasant disposition asked us to come into her office. While Kitch searched for her health care cards, Barbara did preliminary work on her computer. Throughout the process, Barbara was polite and respectful. She answered Kitch’s questions, and she offered a few suggestions that would eliminate stress on the day of the operation.

Barbara’s manner and her thoughtfulness made this mandatory stop a pleasant experience.

The words of Francis de Sales best describe our encounter with Barbara:

It is wonderful how attractive a gentle, pleasant manner is, and how much it wins hearts.

Pre-Admission Testing

Several people work in the pre-admissions testing suite, and all of them represent Geisinger-CMC with dignity, class and competence.

We were greeted by a Nina Barbieri, a registered nurse with extraordinary people skills. She explained the nature of the tests she performed and the reasons why they are important for the procedure Kitch would have.

One of her associates, Angelina, administered an EKG. Then she did the required blood work. Normally this is an agonizing experience for Kitch. Because of Angelina’s skill, it did not bother her at all.

After the blood test, Nina returned to administer a special test that is designed to protect the patient from MERSA.

Before we left the lab, Nina printed a copy of all the information, and she included her name and phone number on the report to enable Kitch to make contact for any help she might need.

While Kitch was behind the closed door of the lab, I made the acquaintance of one of the most inspirational people I have ever met.

Cathy Sue Loyack is battling breast cancer. She has had three procedures and chemotherapy in six months. She is about to begin her radiation treatments.

Cathy is the mother of two college-age children. When she was diagnosed with cancer in November, she did not tell her children. She did not want to burden them with this information during their final exam week.

Cathy is an optimistic person who lights up the room with stories about gratitude and determination.

On this day, Patti Thomas was her nurse. Patti was a perfect match for her patient.

The memory of the time we spent in pre-admission testing with Nina, Angie, Cathy and Patti lessened our fears and made us feel optimistic about Kitch’s surgery.

We were in caring, competent, empathetic hands. A feeling best described by Walt Whitman:

I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person.

Pictures for the File 

Our next stop was the waiting room in the radiology department. As we crossed the threshold, we were greeted by Cathy Sue Loyack. She was sitting alone in the back of the room. Kitch and I joined her. As you might expect, the two women talked about their experiences with breast cancer. I thought the conversation was liberating for both Cathy and Kitch.

At the appointed time, nurse Heidi O’Brien called for Kitch. Together they made their way to the dressing room where Kitch changed into an appropriate patient’s gown.

In less than 10 minutes, the door opened, and nurse O’Brien held Kitch’s arm as she walked with her to the place where the chest X-ray would be taken.

Another door opened and a man in his mid 40s with the assistance of crutches slowly walked toward the exit. He was intercepted by a woman of a similar age, apparently his wife. She reached out to help him.

Then it happened. She looked down and noticed his sneakers were untied. Without hesitation she dropped to her knees, and tied bow knots to secure the sneakers and prevent him from falling.

While this priceless scene was unfolding, I decided not to violate this beautiful moment by taking a picture, I assure you, this poetic moment of love and service will remain in my heart and mind forever.

As the couple slowly walked away, the door to the X-ray room opened and a smiling Kitch and her nurse appeared.

They entered the dressing room, and the pre-admission testing phase of our visit ended.

Pre-Operation Orientation

At 11:45 a.m., we took the elevator to the fifth floor. That is where five knee surgery patients assembled in the community room to learn about virtually every aspect of the procedure. The session is a central part of the Geisinger Patient Education Program.

We arrived a few minutes early as did one other patient, Lou Palazzi. A college football player, retired teacher and landscaper, Lou was preparing for his fourth knee surgery.

After we finished our conversation with Lou, Betsy Guinan, a registered nurse and assistant to Dr. Harry Schmaltz, walked into the community room. Betsy is the Nurse Navigator for New Steps Joint Replacement Center. She greeted us with a pleasant smile. Kitch had a few questions, and Betsy graciously answered each one.

The other three members of our group arrived. Betsy took her position in the front of the room. She started her PowerPoint presentation, and for the next hour she walked us through every phase of knee replacement surgery.

She emphasized the things that can be done before and after surgery that will help expedite recovery. The topics included: proper nutrition, exercises to strengthen your arms and preparing your home.

More than once she emphasized the importance of pain management, infection control, and hand hygiene.

She told us what we could expect on the day of surgery, what items we should bring to the hospital, and she walked us step by step through the operation.

Included in her presentation were three aphorisms:

“Mobility is your best friend.”

“Good nutrition is essential for a successful procedure.”

“Self motivation is the key to successful surgery.”

Patients and their caregivers were encouraged to ask questions and offer comments. Several were offered, and every question was addressed with respect and practical information designed to help all of the people in the room.

If, as Anne Sullivan once said, teaching is about turning on the light of understanding, Betsy did an excellent job in preparing us for knee replacement surgery.

Blood Counts

One of the things most of us take for granted is our blood. That’s not the case at Geisinger-CMC.

MaryAnn O’Brien is the Blood Conservation Coordinator. She is trained to help patients optimize their blood count. This, in turn, reduces the need for blood transfusions during surgery. According to MaryAnn, blood transfusions are associated with poor outcomes.

MaryAnn offered a number of ways patients can build their hemoglobin before surgery: taking suppliments like iron, Vitamin C, and Folic Acid. She encouraged everyone to eating foods rich in iron and Vitamin B12.

She explained in great detail the benefits of optimizing hemoglobin levels to guarantee a speedy recovery.

Before the session ended, MaryAnn answered questions, and gave each patient three pamphlets and her business card so they could make contact with her if they had any questions before their surgery.

The author and poet Wendell Barry tells us that:

Healing is impossible in loneliness; it is the opposite of loneliness. Conviviality is healing.

Our pre-operation orientation at Geisinger-CMC gives truth to Barry’s words. While we were at the hospital, we became part of a healing community. We were in a friendly environment. Everyone we met understood the anxiety and fear behind our faces, and they called upon years of experience to lessen our pain. They gave us confidence that the surgery would go well, and they assured us they would do everything in their power to help us during our journey to recovery.

Thank you, Mike.

Thank you, Barbara.

Thank you, Nina.

Thank you, Angie.

Thank you, Cathy.

Thank you, Patti.

Thank you Heidi,

Thank you, Betsy.

Thank you, MaryAnn.

Thank you, Geisinger-CMC.

We came to the hospital for pre-surgery orientation. We came home with invaluable information and a mosaic of the Face of America on its best day. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Please provide feedback to:

tony.mussari@gmail.com

America at its Best: What America’s Ten Greatest Presidents Say About America at its Best

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Digital Photographs Tony Mussari
Archival Photographs Library of Congress
The Face of America Project Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD

America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great. Alexis de Tocqueville

As we pause to celebrate the 238th birthday of our country, America and its citizens are challenged on many fronts in many different ways by problems that are complicated and cry out for solutions.

Despite these life and death issues and all the distractions that come with the frenetic pace of life in the digital age, Kitch and I believe in the fundamental goodness and decency of the American people. During our Face of America journey, we experience it in quiet, but meaningful ways, in the hearts and souls of the people we meet, the values they cherish and the acts of kindness they practice.

During our journey we have interviewed hundreds of people in our attempt to identify the qualities of America at its best.

On this day of parades, picnics, musical celebrations and fireworks displays, we decided to step back and research what our ten greatest presidents had to say about the qualities that are the foundation of America at its best.

This is what we discovered.

Honesty

The man celebrated as the father of our country, George Washington, used 26 words to describe what he believed to be the most important virtue:

I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles, the character of an honest man. George Washington

Washington’s legacy is embedded in everything that is good, decent and wholesome about our country and its citizens.

Kindness

The American president who saved our union and issued the Emancipation Proclamation, Abraham Lincoln, is known for many accomplishments. He authored poetic words like those recorded in the Gettysburg Address. Senator Charles Sumner called that speech a “Monumental Act…The world noted at once what he said, and will never cease to remember it. The battle itself was less important than the speech."

Lincoln’s correspondence is filled with letters of compassion and caring. It is fair to say that Abraham Lincoln was a leader who personified the virtue of kindness:

I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice… When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That’s my religion. Abraham Lincoln

Courage

Our 32nd president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, defined courage in realistic terms. He knew well what courage was all about, and he inspired our citizens to be courageous in the face of economic depression and totalitarian aggression.

He recognized our natural tendency to be fearful in times of danger, and he showed us the way to overcome our fears:

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. Franklin D. Roosevelt

Learning

Our third president, Thomas Jefferson, the Sage of Monticello, was best described by President Kennedy at a dinner honoring Nobel Prize winners of the Western Hemisphere in 1962:

“I want to tell you how welcome you are to the White House. I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.

Someone once said that Thomas Jefferson was a gentleman of 32 who could calculate an eclipse, survey an estate, tie an artery, plan an edifice, try a cause, break a horse, and dance the minuet…”

It should come as no surprise that the man who wrote the Declaration of Independence when he was 33 years old believed that Americans should learn something new every day:

Every day is lost in which we do not learn something useful. Man has no nobler or more valuable possession than time. Thomas Jefferson

Belonging/Community

Our 26th president embraced the principles of the Progressive Movement. Theodore Roosevelt was the youngest man to become President of the United States. He well may have been the most energetic occupant of the White House. He used his energy to push an agenda which he defined as a “Square Deal” for all Americans.

He summarized what America is at its best with these words:

This country will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we make it a good place for all of us to live in. Theodore Roosevelt

Unbeatable Determination

When Harry Truman was a youngster he wanted to become a professional baseball player. One of his friends wanted to become president of the United States. Life had a much different destination for this self-described farm boy from Missouri and his friend.

Truman’s great gift was the art of plain speaking and an ability to connect with people.

I experienced that gift in 1948 when my dad took me to hear President Truman speak at a campaign stop in our home town. To this day, I remember the moment when “the little man” with eyeglasses just like mine inspired a youngster to believe in himself.

America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand… The difference between a strong man and a weak one is that the former does not give up after a defeat. Harry S. Truman

Dreams

Woodrow Wilson was the president of Princeton University and Governor of New Jersey before he became our 28th president. He occupied the White House during World War I. Presidential scholars believe that most of the models for government as we know it today were established while Wilson was in office.

Wilson believed that America is about dreams:

We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of a spring day or in the red fire of a long winter’s evening. Some of us let these dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true. Woodrow Wilson

Education

Dwight David Eisenhower was one of our most popular presidents. Americans liked “Ike.”

To be honest, I liked Ike so much I disobeyed my mother, and I walked to Ike’s campaign headquarters on Public Square to secure campaign buttons and signs that I fashioned into my Halloween costume.

General Eisenhower was swept into office in 1952 on a tidal wave of admiration, gratitude and respect for his accomplishments during World War II.

A West Point graduate and a five star general, President Eisenhower recognized the importance of education and the vital role teachers play in guaranteeing the best possible future for our children and our country:

Teachers need our active support and encouragement. They are doing one of the most necessary and exacting jobs in the land. They are developing our most precious national resource: our children, our future citizens. Dwight David Eisenhower

Equal Opportunity

James K. Polk is often mentioned as our first “dark horse” president and the last strong president before the Civil War. During his presidency, America fought a successful war with Mexico over the annexation of Texas.

He served but one term as he promised. He accomplished all of his goals. He died shortly after he left office.

President Polk is best known for his doctrine of “Manifest Destiny,” that America was destined by God to spread democracy to the Pacific Ocean.

He presided over the largest expansion of the country since the Louisiana Purchase, more than one million square miles. It included territory from Texas to California including New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Washington and parts of Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. He also settled Oregon’s northern boundary dispute with England.

His words address a fundamental obligation of democratic government:

One great object of the Constitution was to restrain majorities from oppressing minorities or encroaching upon their just rights. James K. Polk

Integrity

General Andrew Jackson gained national prominence when he defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.

Historians tell us that Andrew Jackson was the first self-made man to become President of the United States. He was the first person born in a log cabin to be elected president.

To his friends and supporters Andrew Jackson was ‘Old Hickory.” Many historians call him ‘The People’s President.”

To his critics, he was “King Andrew I.” Not unlike what we are experiencing today, it was a very contentious time in Washington, and Andrew Jackson enjoyed the conflict.

When an assassin attempted to shoot him, the president pursued him and according to accounts, he almost pummeled him to death with his walking cane.

It should come as no surprise that the 7th president of the United States, Number 10 on the list of the ten greatest presidents, felt passionately about doing the right thing::

Any man worth his salt will stick up for what he believes right, but it takes a slightly better man to acknowledge, instantly and without reservation that he is in error…It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes. Andrew Jackson

As I come to the end of this assessment of America at its best as seen through the actions and experiences of our ten greatest presidents, I can hear the wind whipping the flags that fly over the garden in Windsor Park. I can hear the faint sounds of firecrackers exploding in a yard below. I can sense the excitement building for the family gatherings that will take place this evening in our neighborhood, and I can better appreciate the wise and poetic words of spoken by President Lincoln during his second Inaugural Address :

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.

Happy Birthday America.

Please provide feedback to;

tony.mussari@gmail.com

Thank You Geisinger-CMC

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also love of humanity. Hippocrates                  

Destination: Scranton, PA

On a beautiful June morning, Kitch and I took the short route to Geisinger-Community Medical Center in Scranton, PA.  The purpose of the trip was medical. I would have a test that I have avoided and feared for more than twenty years. The consequence of our visit to the hospital was much more than we expected.

Located on Mulberry Street in the Hill section of Scranton, Hahnemann Hospital then CMC, as it was affectionately known to most patients for more than 100 years, opened its doors as a not-for-profit charitable hospital in 1897.  In 2012, it merged with Geisinger, one of the most trusted names in health care. The hospital is currently undergoing a $97.1 million expansion project.

This would be my first experience in the Geisinger system.

The Sky Is Not Falling

As with most patients who go to the hospital for tests or procedures, I was anxious and on edge. To be honest, I was worried and fearful about what the outcome might be. I think that’s the way most people react when they are about to have a colonoscopy.  Adding to my fear was the fact that my father lost his battle with colon cancer.

Frank Herbert’s words apply:

Fear is the mind killer.

Caring People Make a Difference

The first person we met after we parked our car was an older gentleman who was sprucing up the floor in the parking garage.  When we approached him to ask for directions, he stopped what he was doing, and he went out of his way to give us directions that would get us to the main entrance.

That’s a no brainer some might say.

Not so, we respectfully reply.

Because of the extensive expansion project and our apprehensions, his help and politeness were greatly appreciated.

One of the ancients said it best:

No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. Aesop

We quickly made our way to the information desk at the entrance to the hospital. There, we were greeted by a young man who spoke the most important words in the dictionary of customer service:

What can I do to help you?

His voice was pleasant, and his smile was welcoming. He put a human face on the hospital. For the first time I felt a sense of calm.

At the admissions office, we met another pleasant person who made us feel comfortable. Yes, she checked all of the data in her computer, but she did it in a thoughtful way, not a bureaucratic “just the facts,” I don’t have time for any small talk impersonal way.

Although she had provided the same service to hundreds of other patients, she did it in a way that made me feel comfortable about the uncertainty of this day.

Our Home Away from Home

When Kitch and I entered the GI Lab, we were taken by the sights and sounds of disciplined professionals working together to help patients. Strange as it may seem, the atmosphere was joyful not frenetic. The doctors, nurses and technicians were warm and welcoming. Everyone we met tried to help us.

Renee Rojenches was the nurse assigned to my case. Calling upon more than two decades of experience, she knew exactly what to do and how to do it in a way that put the patients’ needs first.  Renee is an impressive person who has mastered what are commonly referred to as “Soft Skills,’’ the things relating to feelings and emotions: attitude, adaptability, body language, communication, personal habits, friendliness, and optimism.

The moment we met we had an instant connection. I honestly believed she cared about me, and she wanted to do everything in her power to make this a very successful experience. It enabled us to build a relationship that was best described many years ago by the woman who is most identified with the profession of nursing, Florence Nightingale:

Nursing is an art;
and if it is to be made an art,
it requires as exclusive a devotion,
as hard a preparation,
as any painter’s or sculptor’s work;

For what is the having to do with
dead canvas or cold marble,
compared with having to do with the
living body – the temple of God’s spirit?

It is one of the Fine Arts;
I had almost said
the finest of the Fine Arts   

The Most Important Person in the Room

Based upon previous hospital experiences, I believe that one of the most important people in the room is the anesthesiologist.  Dr. Jamshid Khademi is a board certified anesthesiologist. That speaks volumes about his competence.

He is a person who is blessed with a million dollar smile and an engaging way. He is thoughtful and very down to earth.

Several times he came to my bedside to talk about the procedure and to get to know his patient. He explained the nature and type of anesthesia in a way that would impress the most gifted wordsmith. I understood what he said.

During our conversations, I got the impression that Dr. Khademi is a man blessed with the gifts of humility and kindness.  I felt secure in his care.

His colleague Dr. Charles T. Grad is the Director of the GI Lab. He is a gastroenterologist who would perform my procedure.  Dr. Grad took the time to walk me through the steps of the procedure, and he explained exactly what would happen. He was confident, but not arrogant. He was professional yet very personable. He was encouraging and very compassionate.  When our eyes met, I saw character, integrity and genuine concern.

Like Dr. Khademi, Dr. Grad made me feel much better about the situation. He personifies in word and deed what Emerson tried to teach us about success:

To know that one life has breathed easier because you have lived, that is to have succeeded.

Dr. Grad has helped thousands of people breathe easier because of way he practices medicine.

The Procedure

When I reached the room where the procedure would take place, I met another part of Dr. Grad’s team.  His name is Gary, and he is a nurse anesthetist.  After I was hooked up to all of the monitors, Gary administered the drug that put me into a relaxing sleep. Throughout the procedure, he stood at the head of the bed monitoring the anesthesia.  Kitch told me that after the procedure he helped wake me up with gentle encouragement.

Once I was fully awake, I was told about the success of the procedure. No cancer and only one suspicious polyp.

Hallelujah!

A wonderful nurse, Debbie Gattens, helped me make the transition from the GI Lab to life as Kitch and I know it.  She is a seasoned professional with a sensitive heart. The good news of this day and the profound gratitude I felt caused me to hug Debbie at least twice before I left the lab.

Going Home

Before an impressive young man named Tony Sandy accompanied me to the first floor of the hospital, he introduced me to his dad with infectious enthusiasm and pride. Tony works in the transportation department, his father works in the GI Lab. Tony dreams of one day becoming a massage therapist. He wants to start his own business.

I wanted to learn more about Tony’s dream. It’s the teacher in me.

While we walked to the entrance of the hospital, we talked like two teenagers who were sharing their dreams.

Then it happened. Out of nowhere a voice called out, “Is that you Dr. Mussari?”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. A smiling faced that I did not recognize and a voice that I could not remember told me he had taken four of my courses in college. Then he identified himself, Ray Moran class of ’83.

What an incredible moment of unexpected celebration and joy.

I was about to join Kitch as she made her way out the front door when I met a distinguished man who looked like a hospital administrator. It was my good fortune to meet Dr. Robert Joyce, OPS Director, Cardiology. We had a brief conversation about my desire to write something about my experiences at the hospital.

While we were talking, Wendy Wilson, Media Team Director for the Geisinger Health System, joined us. She assured me that she would help in any way she could. She kept her promise. She provided all of the information I requested.

The Larger Picture

While Kitch drove home, and I ate the peanut butter sandwiches she made for this part of our journey, the effects of the procedure began to diminish, and I began to see the larger picture.

The people I met in the hospital, the way they worked together helping and supporting patients and each other, the genuine atmosphere of community in the GI Lab, the values of caring, compassion, character, competence, cooperation, empathy, gratitude, kindness and service are central to America at its best. That’s what made this experience so special. That’s what I will remember about the procedure.

Yes, I came to Geisinger-Community Medical Center for a colonoscopy, but while I was there I saw a mosaic of the Face of America on its best day.  I placed my fate in the heads and hearts of quiet heroes, and they delivered.

Someone once wrote:

The meaning of life is to find your gift.

The purpose of life is to give it away.

Kitch and I came to Geisinger-CMC filled with anxiety, apprehension and fear. We left the hospital with priceless gifts that reflect the radiant light of the Face of America at its very best.

Thank you Geisinger-Community Medical Center for all that you have done and will do to maintain “the finest of the fine art” in medicine…the human connection.

Please provide feedback to:

tony.mussari@gmail.com

Magic Moments in North Plainfield, Part 1

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Photographs by Kitch and Tony Mussari
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

Moons and years pass by and are gone forever, but a beautiful moment shimmers through life a ray of light. Franz Grillparzer

Some days the sun cannot find a higher place in the sky. The cloud formations are more beautiful than any words can describe. Wherever you look, you see things that produce a kind of joy that is best described by Amanda Gore in her new book, Joy Is an Inside Job and It’s Free:

Joy is the constant light within us that guides us from fear to hope.

True Happiness is joy. It is connected to God, and it serves others in some way.

For Kitch and me, gratitude is the mother of virtue and the expressway to happiness and joy.

May 9, 2014, was a joy-filled day. It began early in the morning when Kitch and I entered the North Plainfield High School to participate in the first of two screenings of our documentary Four Days of Honor and Valor in Gettysburg.

The day ended 14 hours later in a Ruby Tuesday restaurant when, like two teenagers celebrating a big event, we shared a delicious piece of New York cheesecake. Everything in between was pure joy.

This is our attempt to thank the people who made this day so special.

Kindness

Debbie Mayo is the head custodian at the North Plainfield High School. She is an excellent representative of the people who live in North Plainfield as well as those who are associated with the school district. She is helpful and kind. She goes out of her way to make visitors feel welcome, and she always has something nice to say to the people she meets.

On this morning, Debbie was the first person we met, and she made us feel at home with nine words:

“It’s always good to see you in North Plainfield.”

Debbie’s comment set the tone for this day of magic moments. It reinforced the truth of John Lubbock’s advice:

A kind word will give more pleasure than a present.

Thoughtfulness

Tom Mazur is the Director of Fine, Professional and Performing Arts in the North Plainfield School District. He is an accomplished actor, composer and musician. He organized all of the events for our visit, and he attended to all the little details that would guarantee the success of the events. Tom was our host for the screening, and he did everything he could to make us feel comfortable in our home away from home.

When we entered the parking lot, we saw him carrying a construction cone to reserve a parking place for our car. He expedited the security process at the entrance to the high school. He introduced us to Susan Loyer a newspaper reporter for the Courier News. He coordinated all of the technology for the screening, and he arranged the schedule so that we could have some down time between the morning and the evening events.

On this day, Tom’s actions gave meaning to the words of Helen Keller:

No one ever became poor by giving.

Awakening

As we walked to the auditorium we saw students checking out the learning stations that comprise an award winning Holocaust exhibit. It was created by middle school students and their teachers to reduce discrimination and prejudice. The exhibit is a poignant and powerful example of creative teaching and effective learning.

As I watched the students taking notes and sharing their thoughts with one another, the words of my favorite definition of teaching put these scenes in perspective.

I am not a teacher, but an awakener. Robert Frost

Sharing

Before the morning screening began, Susan Loyer asked me to sit with her in the back of the auditorium for an interview. While we were discussing the origin and purpose of the Medal of Honor Project our conversation was interrupted by Mark Havrilla.

Mark participated in our 2012 documentary project, Walking into the light at Gettysburg. He is a fine young man with a deep sense of patriotism and a strong desire to serve his country. He once explained his thoughts about America with these words:

America is the last frontier of hope and opportunity. Here anything is possible… America has perfected its values and adjusted its cultural views to adapt to the changing world around it. The United States is unique… the American spirit and the goal that every American shares to be the best they can be.

His face was beaming with pride when he shared his good news. He had signed the official orders to enter the U.S. Marine Corps.

This unexpected moment reflected the insight of W. Clement Stone’s thought:

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.

Community

Six students participated in the Medal of Honor Project. All of them attended the morning screening at the high school. Each one of them was courteous and polite. One of them decided to sit next to Kitch and me during the event.

Adriana Miranda is a senior. She participated in both of our educational experiences in Gettysburg. She is a thoughtful young woman who is very disciplined and mature for her age. She has a dream, and next year she will enter a program that will enable her to realize her dream.

While she watched the documentary, she expressed her gratitude in a very personal way. She held Kitch’s hand and mine. The verse of Philip James Bailey best describes this moment:

We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; in feelings, not figures on a dial. We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives who thinks most, feels noblest, acts the best.

The first words I heard after the enthusiastic applause of the students came from Susan Loyer:

“This documentary is excellent.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched two students walk to the front of the auditorium to express their reaction privately. ‘It was so encouraging. It was inspirational.”

After I shook their hands and expressed my thanks, and before they turned to walk away one of the students looked me in the eye and quietly said these words: “I will never forget it.”

As I was catching my breath, a very pleasant man stepped forward. At first I thought he was a young teacher. I was wrong. He is the father of one of the students who participated in the project. His words of appreciation were straightforward and unconditional. We had an instant connection rooted in respect and mutual admiration. As we talked about his son, his potential and his future, I was again reminded that this is the place and these are the people who are the Face of America’s tomorrow today.

There is but one word that accurately describes the atmosphere in the auditorium as the students made their way to their classrooms, jubilation.

An adaptation of the words of Ernestine Gilbreth Carey best describes the impact of this Magic Moment in North Plainfield, New Jersey:

In a person’s lifetime there may be not more than half a dozen occasions that he can look back to in the certain knowledge that right then, at that moment, there was room for nothing but happiness in our hearts.

(To be continued in Part 2)
Please provide feedback to: tony.mussari@gmail.com

Magic Moments in North Plainfield, Part 2

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Photographs by Kitch and Tony Mussari, Sr,
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it. L.M. Montgomery

Creativity and Encouragement

We arrived at the North Plainfield High School earlier than we had planned. Kitch and I wanted to revisit the Holocaust Exhibit, and we wanted to reconnect with a sentimental moment we experienced with Bob Ferraro after the morning screening.

Bob teaches shop. He is a very creative person who used his time and talent to design a beautiful display for our Gettysburg Project. Whenever we meet Bob, he makes us feel like valued members of his team. On this day he took the time to show us his display, and he volunteered to share the contents with us so we could have something more than a memory.

Bob is a giving person who reflects the light of William Arthur Ward’s words:

When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.

Patriotism and Pride

The evening screening began when Chief Master Cadet Kyle Pacla walked to the podium to offer words of welcome.

Members of the JR ROTC presented the colors in an impressive ceremony and then Brigiette Garcia offered an inspirational rendition of our National Anthem.

Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum, Superintendent of Schools, greeted everyone with thoughtful comments that were carefully selected to set the stage for the documentary.

The lights in the auditorium dimmed, and for just about an hour the sights and sounds of the 2013 Medal of Honor Convention in Gettysburg helped people better understand the meaning of Robert Ingersoll’s words:

He loves his country best who strives to make it best.

Quiet Heroes and Gratitude Moments

The recipients featured in the documentary are quiet heroes. They do not seek the spotlight. They find the cult of celebrity repulsive. They personify courage and good will. They act with honor and valor. They are grateful for the opportunities they have been given. They define the meaning of selfless service. They reflect the light of America at its best, because they are men of character and integrity.

This theme resonated with the audience. The enthusiastic response after the film gave testimony to the powerful example of quiet heroes.

To build upon that moment and close the circle, Kitch and I did what comes natural to us. We took the time to affirm and say thank you to Dr. Birnbaum. Without her belief in our work, none of this would have been possible. In a very real way, this was her moment. The gratitude gift we designed for her was both a statement about the quality of her leadership and an expression of our thanks for her kindness to us.

The gifts we designed for Tom Mazur and his colleague Lt. Col. Eric Hansen documented special moments from our location shoot in Gettysburg.

A lot of research and time went into the selection of the gratitude gift for the students who participated in the project. We wanted this gift to summarize the educational experience. More important, we wanted it to inspire and encourage these young men and women when they encounter the bumps on the road of life.

When we found the words of Bernard M. Baruch, our search came to an end.

Whatever task you undertake, do it with all your heart and soul. Always be courteous, never be discouraged. Beware of him who promises something for nothing. Do not blame anybody for your mistakes and failures. Do not look for approval except the consciousness of doing your best.

Memories

Before we left the auditorium a number of people offered their reactions to the documentary and its message. The first person to speak was a Korean War Veteran, Dewitt LaMaire. He enjoyed the story, and he was impressed by the message of the film.

A member of the Board of Education, Kathleen Mullen, used a personal story to underscore the way the documentary touched her heart.

Two members of the U.S. Marine Corps were unequivocal about their experience. They liked the documentary, and they thought it could benefit students in schools across the country.

Cheryl Jones echoed those sentiments, as did Adriana Miranda’s mother Lydia.

Ruel Lindsay’s mother was not at all reluctant to stand and tell everyone she cried tears of joy throughout most of the documentary.

Community

The conversation about the documentary continued at the After Glow. People were in a celebratory mood, and they wanted to express their feelings.

Thanks to the hard work of Maryann Thorpey and her husband Steve, there were plenty of treats to share with our guests and a several Kodak moments.

It was a privilege to meet the parents of four of the students who participated in the production, and have an opportunity to tell them how impressive their children are.

The expressions on the faces of Elijah Sheridan’s parents as recorded in the picture of them with their other two children were priceless.

The picture taken of Dr. Birnbaum with Eric and Elizabeth Ellis was designed to help this youngster follow her dream. Elizabeth and her dad sat in the first row. During our conversation before the screening, she told me she wanted to be a teacher because she likes people and she likes to learn new things.

Her father had been on the go since 4:30 a.m., but he was more than willing to take her to the screening. He knew she would learn some things that would help her later in life.

The evening screening was a genuine community moment. The people who came wanted to be there. The four members of the Board of Education were pleased with what the students learned in Gettysburg.

Less than 24 hours after our return home, the sentiments expressed in a note from School Board President Linda Bond-Nelson put everything in perspective:

Just a small note to say thank you again for your gracious hosting of TWO showings of your remarkable film to our North Plainfield audiences.  I was not surprised at all but very grateful to hear that our students proffered a spontaneous standing ovation at the end of their morning show…. (At the evening screening you made) us all feel as if we actually were an intimate group sharing observations and thoughts. 

Best wishes to you both.

Thanks, again.

A long time ago, John Winthrope defined community with these words:

We must delight in each other, make others conditions our own, rejoice together, mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work, our community as members of the same body.

Four Days of Honor and Valor in Gettysburg is a documentary about a community of Quiet Heroes. The recipients featured in the film represent the Face of America at its very best. The six student cadets who participated in the project, their parents and the residents of North Plainfield who attended the screening reflect the light of the Face of America’s tomorrow today.

Our experiences on this special evening in North Plainfield, New Jersey, provided memories that will encourage and inspire us for a long time.

Thank you, Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum;

Thank You, Linda Bond Nelson, Thomas Kasper, David Branan, Kathleen Mullen;

Thank You, Tom Mazur, Lt. Col. Eric Hansen, Sr. Chief Michael de Jean, Bob Ferraro;

Thank you Maryann & Steve Thorpey and Debbie Mayo.

To paraphrase the words of L. M. Montgomery, this evening in North Plainfield will never be lost. Because of your kindness, we will remember it forever.

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com

Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum: A Great Leader, A Quiet Hero and An Inspiration with Dignity and Class

Written by Tony Mussari, Sr.
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari 
Photographs Kitch Loftus-Mussari,
Tony Mussari, Sr. & Eugene Flood
Copyright 2014
The Face of America Project
Mussari-Loftus Associates, LTD

A great leader takes people where they don’t necessarily want to go, but ought to be. Rosalynn Carter

I had the good fortune to meet Superentedent of Schools Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum on Thanksgiving Day at a high school football game in 2009. We were blessed with an instant connection.

I was taken by her welcoming way and her enthusiastic support for personal growth through hard work in the classroom.

She appreciated our non-commercial approach to documentary filmmaking. She understood our effort to provide challenging and interesting educational experiences for students. She liked our idea to help students make memories that would enable them to find the best edition of themselves.

From that day to this, Dr. Birnbaum has done everything she could to facilitate our search for the Face of America on its best day in North Plainfield, New Jersey.

In a very real way, her leadership style and educational philosophy encompass the key attributes of “Servant Leadership.” That is one of the concepts we wanted to share with her students while we were producing documentaries in two Pennsylvania towns that personify honor and valor, Gettysburg and Shanksville.

Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum is the consummate professional.

She knows her strengths and her weaknesses.

She believes that good teachers are awakeners.

She likes to be with people, and she knows that little things like answering messages in a timely fashion mean a lot. In this respect, she honors the advice of Arthur Conan Doyle and the caution of L.M. Montgomery:

It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.

It’s dreadful what little things lead people to misunderstand each other.

She is a good team member. She is available, dependable and reliable.

She can put things in perspective, because she can see beyond the obvious.

She has the courage and the will to do the right thing, not the easy or pragmatic thing. She follows the example of Maya Angelou:

All of us knows, not what is expedient, not what is going to make us popular, not what the policy is, or the company policy – but in truth each of us knows what is the right thing to do. And that’s how I am guided.

She is enthusiastic about learning.

She does not let her critics define her.

She knows that without risk, there can be no progress.

She is a hopeful and welcoming person who is always willing to open the door to new ideas. She agrees with Anne Lamott:

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.

She is an excellent communicator.

She takes responsibility for her choices, and she does not blame others for her failures.

She is quick to apologize when she makes a mistake. She honors Ben Franklin’s dictum:

Never ruin an apology with an excuse.

She is goal-oriented, and sensitive to the needs of the people she is leading.

She has a good sense of humor, and she is not afraid to laugh at herself.

For her, flexibility is a key to success.

She actively listens with her heart as well as her head.

She knows that everyone needs encouragement, and she graciously provides it. When Celeste Holm spoke these words, she reaffirmed one of Dr. Birnbaum’s deeply held beliefs:

We live by encouragement and die without it — slowly, sadly, and angrily.

She is a gratitude person who appreciates the power of affirmation.

She knows the value of private consultation, mediation and reconciliation.

She is a service-oriented person who has not succumbed to the narcissism of our time.

She knows that success in not a matter of luck. It is the result of attitude, inconvenience, industry, discipline and sacrifice.

She understands the importance of Janette Rankin’s words:

You can take people as far as they want to go, not as far as you want them to go.

For Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum, “we” is more important than “I,” and actions speak louder than words.The words of Marva Collins resonate with her:

If children fail, it’s about me, not them. I tell my students, if you think excellence is difficult, you don’t want to try failure.

When I think about the priceless moments Kitch and I shared with Dr. Birnbaum, an adaptation of the words of William Penn come to mind:

She understood our desire to be teachers with a camera, and she used her influence and power to help us do what we love to do. She was a courageous defender of our documentary philosophy, and she remains a friend to this day.

The news of her retirement in July of this year created a very sentimental moment for Kitch and me.

George Eliot gave us a perfect description of Dr. Marilyn Birnbaum, her greatest gift and her legacy:

The presence of a noble nature, generous in its wishes, ardent in its charity, changes the lights for us: we begin to see things again in their larger, quieter masses, and to believe that we too can be seen and judged in the wholeness of our character.

Thank you, Dr. Birnbaum for changing the light for everyone in the North Plainfield School District.

Thank you, for your kindness and your belief in our work.

Thank you, for being a quiet hero who went to work every day with a burning desire to help others.

Thank you, for exemplifying America at its best with dignity and class.

May your retirement be blessed with good health, great memories and many joyful moments.

Please provide feedback to:
tony.mussari@gmail.com

The Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast: A Unique Learning Opportunity

Written by Tony Mussari
Edited by Kitch Loftus-Mussari
Photographs by Kitch and Tony Mussari
Copyright 2014
Mussari-Loftus Associates
The Face of America Project

Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. Peter Drucker

High Expectations

The organizers of the fifth annual Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast promoted the event as an opportunity for people to come together with other members of the business community to learn more about the principles of great leadership.

They told us it would be an inspirational leadership event with outstanding speakers.

Bob Funk, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Express Employment Professionals, assured us that the speakers would be engaging. They would motivate us to want to grow as leaders.

Those words reminded me Robert Frost’s definition of a teacher:

I am not a teacher, but an awakener.

Having had some time to think about the event, I can say, without reservation, the organizers delivered on every promise, and Bob Funk’s prediction was accurate.

Context

Kitch and I attended the session at the McCann School of Business in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
The facility was perfect for the event. The people from the school were very pleasant. The room where the event was held was an excellent choice for the session. The members of the Express Pros team were very friendly and willing to do whatever they could to make everyone feel right at home.

The moment we entered the room we felt the warm glow of the welcoming words and the beautiful smiles of Kathleen Nolan Barrett and Kathy Barrett.

Jeff Doran, the MC for the event, greeted everyone with a handshake and a pleasant comment.

The attendees were thoughtful people who wanted to talk and share experiences. It quickly became obvious to everyone that there were no strangers in the room. Everyone felt the healing power of community and belonging.

For the next four hours we were united in our purpose. We wanted to learn by listening, watching and sharing.

The presentations by John Mackey, Dick Vitale and Christine Cashen gave us a lot to talk about during the breaks. For a detailed assessment of the presentations, please check out our Commentary at this address:

http://faceofamericawps.com/commentaries-america-at-its-best/

The boxed lunches provided all the nourishment we needed to perform at our best.

In a very real way, we were a community of learners. The Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast gave us a great gift. It enabled us to become better leaders and better people, because it did what Max DePree said leaders do. It helped us define reality. It underscored the power of gratitude, and it reinforced the importance of being a servant leader.

A Genuine Leader

The Express Pros brand in Northeastern Pennsylvania is defined by Amy Clegg. Amy is perfect for this job. She is a woman of compassion who cares about people who are hurting. She is a person who knows how to encourage people who are struggling. She enjoys helping others.

She is a successful leader because she follows Abraham Lincoln’s advice:

If you would win a subordinate to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.

She knows that the essence of friendship is sharing, and she is grateful to have the opportunity to help people who want to work.

What Kitch and I admire most about Amy is best described by an adaptation of a famous quote about leadership.

A leader is best when people barely know she exists, when her work is done, her aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.

Thank You, Amy for inviting us to attend the event.

Thank you, Jeff, Kathleen and Kathy for your welcoming way.

Thank you, Bob Funk for investing the time, energy and resources in this wonderful leadership event.

Thank you, John Mackey for teaching us the principles of Conscious Leadership.

Thank you, Dick Vitale for your beautiful love story about leadership.

Thank you, Christine Cashen for giving us practical suggestions to end Global Whining.

The Refresh Leadership Live Simulcast provided an excellent opportunity to learn and grow. The organizers, the presenters and the people who came to participate formed a memorable portrait of the Face of America at its very best.

Please provide feedback to: tony.mussari@gmail.com