Coordinating much-needed care on her behalf .
Coordinating much-needed care on her behalf .
In August of 2023 , Willa Booker , a retired high school guidance counselor and devoted dog owner , contracted to have new floors installed in four rooms of her home . Her brothers helped her move the laundry machines , exercise equipment , refrigerator , and other large pieces out of the rooms . “ But I put most of it back ,” she said . “ And I paid for it .”
In the days that followed , she developed back and leg pain severe enough to send her to the emergency room at AHN West Penn Hospital . An X-ray showed nothing out of the ordinary , so she was treated with steroids and muscle relaxers and sent home . Two weeks later , when she couldn ’ t get out of bed , she called 911 to take her back to AHN West Penn . An MRI revealed she had a herniated disc . She was admitted to the hospital for four days then transferred to a skilled nursing facility . Twelve days later , she was discharged , still in pain , still unable to walk . So her primary care provider intervened .
“ I had her come in the next day for a follow-up visit ,” said Nicole Sacca Izzo , DO , AHN , Primary Care . “ I was very concerned . She is typically a very active and independent person ,” Dr . Izzo said . “ She shared that she was barely able to get out of bed . She lives alone and has a small dog that depends on her . When she said she had to place the dog with her sitter , and was only able to eat peanut butter and crackers in bed , I knew we had to advocate to quickly get her the care she needed to regain her mobility .”
Dr . Izzo arranged a pain relief injection in Willa ’ s hip that day to see if it would help . The next day , when Willa said the pain hadn ’ t resolved , Dr . Izzo got her into physical therapy and had her see a pain specialist for an injection in her spine . She also fast-tracked an appointment with Kevin Walsh , MD , AHN Neurologic Surgery , who recommended a minimally invasive procedure to remove the herniated disc .
Willa had the surgery , and three months later , at her post-surgery visit with Dr . Izzo , she reported that she was back to her usual activities , and back with her dog . “ I ’ m on my exercise machines , doing water aerobics twice a week , and taking twice-daily 40-minute walks with Princess ,” she said . “ Unless it ’ s raining .”
As for the importance of having a primary care provider you can trust to coordinate your care , Willa says , “ Dr . Izzo was a godsend . I can discuss anything with her . She ’ s the greatest doctor in history , as far as I ’ m concerned .”
STUDIES SHOW THAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER EXPERIENCE BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES AND LIVE LONGER LIVES .
“ It ’ s a comfort to me to know that Dr . Izzo is at the helm of the ship .”
— Willa Booker