Gene McKee sounds like a typical retiree, planning his next round of golf. But he is not typical at all. He is 91 years old, and he retired at the age of 83.
“I enjoyed my work,” said McKee. “I didn’t want to quit, really.”
McKee’s “no quit” philosophy is still evident. Although he had his right leg amputated on Dec. 7, 2011, and his left leg amputated exactly 14 months later, he remains positive and determined to play golf again.
“I realize that this is something that happened,” said McKee. “I was thinking how was I going to get to … I still want to get out and play golf.”
As part of his rehabilitation, McKee has attended the Amputee Clinic at Baptist Rehabilitation-Germantown.
“Of the four rehab centers I was in, I think Baptist’s center was the best and most thorough,” said McKee. “I learned more there—and faster and more complete than any place else.”
One of the reasons Baptist Rehab-Germantown’s Amputee Clinic is so effective is the amount of planning involved. The team started planning in November 2012, but the first clinic wasn’t held until eight months later.
According to Rebecca DeRousse, assistant adminstrator at Baptist Rehab-Germantown, Baptist’s Amputee Clinic is the first of its kind in the area. It’s a multidisciplinary clinic that takes a team approach to evaluating and treating amputee patients. The team—led by Dr. Sunita Jain, Baptist Rehab-Germantown’s medical director—includes experienced physical therapist Marylyle Boolos, certified wound care nurse Erma Davis and prosthetist Ted Snell (of CFI Prosthetics Orthotics). Patients can also bring their own prosthetist with them to the clinic if they want.
“Everybody is in the same room together when evaluating the patient,” said DeRousse. “Typically, they bring their spouse or a family member. There’s lots of education that goes on with everybody there.”
During the clinic, the team makes sure patients can use their prosthetics well and evaluates residual and remaining limbs, wounds and prostheses. The physician can order additional therapy, wound care or prosthetic fittings or adjustments if necessary.
Baptist’s Amputee Clinic is held the second and fourth Friday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 757-3430.