Mark Moore

Pastor Mark Moore has spent plenty of time in hospitals comforting members of his congregation. But when it comes to being on the receiving side of hospital care, he's had just three admissions in his lifetime. Twice in North Carolina and most recently, for surgery at Capital Hospital.

"I was diagnosed with a chronic arthritic condition I didn't really know that I had," he said. "Back in the 1990's I suffered a ruptured disc but hadn't experienced back issues since then. But this episode started when I dropped a shirt on the floor and bent over to pick it up. I lost control of my leg and was in considerable pain. I went to a chiropractor, but it didn't help."

Pastor Moore ended up making an appointment with Brian Russell, M.D., a board-certified neurosurgeon. "You have a gem of a surgeon in him," said Pastor Moore. "Aside from his clinical expertise, I've never known a doctor to be as kind and concerned for his patients. I really like him. He is a fine man."

Dr. Russell performed a lumbar microlaminotomy to relieve the pressure on Pastor Moore's spine. It is a minimally invasive procedure that results in spinal decompression. The minimally invasive approach provides benefits to the patient including smaller incisions, less disruption to nearby spinal muscles and tissues, and helps reduce post-operative pain with a quicker recovery compared to traditional open surgery.

"The orthopedic floor was amazing. Everyone, on every shift, treated me like family, with kindness and tenderness. They had plenty to do but I didn't have to call them once, they just showed up," said Pastor Moore.

Just eight days after his surgery, Pastor Moore was back in the pulpit at Calvary Baptist Church in Chattahoochee. "I'm 59 and was a very robust individual prior to this episode with my back. It took all the wind out of me. But now I feel fine. The surgery was a success. Dr. Russell and Capital Hospital gave me back my life."

Now Pastor Moore says, Capital Hospital is his hospital of choice for him and his family. "When my 92-year-old stepfather became ill recently and had to be taken to the hospital by family members, I told them to take him to Capital Hospital. I wouldn't consider choosing to send my family and friends anywhere else."