Robert Hayhurst

“Everyone has taken wonderful care of me. It has been an amazing experience. Dr. Eric Schiffman did an amazing job as did everyone who helped take care of me.”

“I suddenly discovered that what I thought was bursitis all these years was gradually getting worse. It was actually bone on bone on both hips and cartilage pretty much gone. I then proceeded to research every orthopedic surgeon I could read about in the entire South Florida area, their experience, their position, their specialization, testimonials, even Google ratings, you name it. And, Dr. Schiffman did a video as well, which was another element, an interview video. So, all in all, Dr. Schiffman’s focus on joint replacement and credentials and everything consistently pointed to him being one of the best available in South Florida and that drew me to make an appointment and actually go in and hope for the best!”

During his initial appointment, Robert recalls, “Dr. Schiffman’s nurse practitioner Ernesto Diaz was just so personable and made it easy to talk to and actually wanted to hear what where the challenges I was facing as far as dressing, crossing my legs, tying my shoes, walking, etc. And then what my treatment options may be at this point. I talked to Ernesto, we reviewed the x-rays and apparently I had passed the point of other options besides total hip replacement. I probably passed those unknowingly a few years ago and Dr. Schiffman said, ‘a whole lot of shots would probably give me one day of relief so really not an option based on my lack of cartilage’. Sometimes you can put off hip replacement, certainly I worked my way right through all those pre-surgical options for both hips!”

Prior to surgery, Robert met with our Orthopedic Navigator, Humberto Mendez. “What a great guy. I felt that I was personally being cared for on that registration day. The handouts provided, that kind of reinforcement at the early point is very informative. That was a very well run registration from an anesthesia interview, paperwork completion and made my surgical day less stressful because basically they whisked me up to the third floor without really having to do anything on the day of surgery.”

Regarding our new East Tower and home to the Orthopedic & Spine Institute, Robert shared, “it is certainly nice to have a large, new, comfortable private room with the ability to look out a window and see palm trees. And, the professional staff that cared for me, including my nurses Liberty and Nora, physical therapist and food services hostess, they were all great.” Robert also recalls receiving various visits from his pre-surgical team, including Humberto, Orthopedic Navigator; Ernesto, Dr. Schiffman’s Nurse Practitioner; and Jennifer, Dr. Schiffman’s scheduler.

“I am doing well at home and look forward to just comfort in day to day living, yardwork, playing tennis and walking with my wife over the bridge and back a few miles,” shares Robert.

As a pilot, Robert had been finding walking through the airport, through customs and the gate harder and harder. With his total hip replacement now, Robert is itching to go back soon!

“The surgical team must have done something really good because as they said, ‘I am doing exceptional!’”