Patient Testimonials

I had an amazing experience with the EXCEL Program. Steph, EXCEL RN Coordinator’s, initial phone call was caring and considerate. She arranged for an orientation to see the recovery suites with Leah Zimmerman, EXCEL Program Director, and we were so relieved and pleased. Leah was so gracious, open to answering every concern and question, and so delightfully reassuring. I also attended the pre-surgery education class. The class was so helpful and important to attend.

After my knee replacement surgery, I was taken to my room. Lauren and Caryn, my Registered Nurses, were delightful, joyful, and skilled in every way. They were personable and answered any question I had. I felt encouraged and amazed at how much I could do already, with expert coaching and support. It was such a pleasure and relief to see Dr. Scott Anseth after my procedure. He described what he did for my knee and that I should not be surprised by the bruising. I enjoyed how he demonstrated the importance of being able to straighten my leg and bend my knee when I am ready. I was so reassured that I made the right decision and that I was in the best hands for care.

My recovery continued at home with check-ins. Any “speed bump” I encountered was met with acceptance, compassion, and effective problem solving. The reception desk folks at physical therapy were always cheerful, helpful and respectful. Shoutout to all my therapists for those pre-operative exercises. Heidi, Sarah, and Jordan, were significant in my recovery.

I continue to feel so grateful for this opportunity to enhance my quality of life with a new knee. Every detail was covered every step of the way with a multitude of skills and talents, along with personal care and concern for me. Thank you, TCO!

Dr. Sharon Frattalone and her nurse, Heather, are an outstanding team. Dr. Frattalone’s treatment plan for me has given me my strength and comfort back. I am beyond thrilled. I wholeheartedly recommend her.

You can’t find a more caring and knowledgeable rheumatologist than Dr. Sufka!

5 stars for Dr. Engasser! He has outstanding bedside manner, which is not easy to find with surgeons! He takes his time, listens well, and creates a confidence boosting doctor/patient team, even when he has to refer me to other physicians as needed. I have had two unrelated foot and ankle surgeries with Dr. Engasser and have been very satisfied with his expertise and my recoveries. I highly recommend Dr. Engasser.

One year ago I had a slip and fall that tore all 4 tendons in my right rotator cuff. Dr. Leafblad performed the required surgery that was very successful, followed up by physical therapy with Kristine Sicora and Tim Hafemeyer. This team made me feel comfortable during each step of the surgery and recovery! There is no question that I will go to TCO Stillwater for any future orthopedic needs.

Dr. Johnson performed a carpectomy on my wrist, as well as trigger finger surgery. He has since given me injections for new trigger finger issues. I love his attitude and bedside manner. He explains everything in detail that I can understand. I highly recommend him for any care under his specialties.

I had a complete knee replacement on my left knee in December 2022. From the very first meeting I had Dr. Michael Nemanich, I knew I was in the right place and in good hands at TCO. He made me feel so confident about the surgery and reassured me that everything would come out perfectly as planned. The surgery was a complete success and my knee works so well. He was so professional, kind, caring and really listened to my concerns because I have other underlying health issues. He made me feel so excited about having my new knee. I couldn’t be more happy with the outcome. My knee works exactly like it did when I was younger and I can now get back to what I love doing because of him. Thank you, Dr. Nemanich for taking such great care of me. You are amazing at what you do. You will be doing my right leg in the next year or two, to work your magic again! I would also like to thank your office team and surgical team for doing such a fantastic job. They all made everything goes so smoothly and so easy for me.

Dr. Owen O’Neill came highly recommended and now I know why! On December 1, 2023 I went in to surgery with a very messed-up knee. I had huge bone spurs that started to limit my very active life at 69 years old. Surgery went very smoothly. Dr. O’Neill and his team were very attentive, caring and competent. The pain was manageable. I rented the ‘NICE’ cooling system, did my PT, and only needed the walker for one week. Then I used a cane for another week. I kept up with my exercises well and ‘graduated’ the program. I now have over 130 degree bend, which will just keep improving. I can do 6 flights of stairs without a problem. I swim, take nice long walks, and am just enjoying an active life again! I obviously I needed to do my part too, but clearly Dr. O’Neill is a very big part of this success. I am most grateful to him, as are my husband and family!

I’m so grateful for the excellent care I received from Dr. Gilbertson after I fell and rebroke my hip and femur. Because I was a trauma surgery patient, I was apprehensive about the surgery and who my surgeon would be. I realized how fortunate I was that Dr. Gilbertson was the trauma surgeon on call. My recovery has been challenging, but the care received from TCO staff has been great. Dr. Gilbertson’s bedside manner is very good. I highly recommend him and TCO.

I tore my ACL in February of my junior year in high school. From the beginning, Dr. Mair put me at ease, reassuring me that I could come back from this injury. His vested interest and follow through during my recovery gave me the confidence to compete with myself at every physical therapy appointment. At just six months post-surgery, I returned to my senior soccer season (with Dr. Mair’s caution) and led my team to its first section championship game in over 20 years. I also was able to compete in my senior season of basketball, finishing where I left off before my injury by scoring my 1,000th career point. Thanks to Dr. Mair and his entire staff, I will continue my dream of playing collegiate soccer at SMSU in the fall and major in exercise science. Maybe one day I can be part of the TCO team!