Case Study: Sans Souci Q 2 2025
Concierge Name: Yosef Unger
Patient Name: Elvis E.
Patient Age: 64
Admission Date: 2/15/2025
Admitted From: St. John’s Riverside Hospital
Discharge Date: 6/17/2025
Discharge To: Home
Length of Stay: 107
Reason for Stay: Vertebral Osteomyelitis
How Did This Patient Hear About Sans Souci: His Family and Doctors
Details of Experience:
Elvis E. was wheeled into the hospital at three o’clock in the morning on February 5th. A couple of weeks prior, he had gone to his doctor complaining of back pain and weakness in his muscles. His doctor had recommended that he go to a chiropractor, which he did for a couple of weeks. However, it did not seem to help. He had felt weaker, and at one point, he didn’t seem to be able to walk. He felt paralyzed. When he notified his doctor, he had been told to wait a couple of days and, if nothing changed, to go to the Emergency Room. The night that he called the ambulance, things had reached their peak. He was in extreme pain and couldn’t lift his hands.
When he came to the hospital, he was diagnosed with Osteomyelitis (inflammation and infection of the bone) in his spine. After two days in the hospital, Elvis underwent a procedure to facilitate the healing of his spine. After the procedure, the hospital told him that he would not be able to go directly home; however, he would have to go to a rehab facility to get his strength back. His family, along with his doctors, chose Sans Souci. With Elvis’ history of sepsis, they felt that Sans Souci, with its close proximity to local hospitals, was the right choice. After a couple of days of recovering, Elvis was transferred to Sans Souci on February 15th.
Elvis doesn’t remember the first couple of days at Sans Souci clearly. “I was in a lot of pain and was taking a lot of medication. However, I do remember doctors and staff coming to make sure that I was doing all right.” Elvis wishes that it had been smooth sailing from there. However, two days later, he recalls Dr. Michelle Annabi-Rabadi, the Medical Director of Sans Souci, coming into his room with a few of the nurses. He had developed a fever, and the medical team found that concerning. He was transferred to Columbia University Hospital. After 3 weeks, during which he endured many MRIs and X-rays, the hospital was confident that he was medically stable, and he came back to Sans Souci.
Vincent Gonzales, the Physical Therapist, remembers when Elvis came back. “He was at Partial Moderate Assistance and needed assistance with sitting up and transferring to the wheelchair. He was unsteady on his legs due to weakness and had concerns regarding his pain.” As Elvis says, “I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t move, and I couldn’t lift anything. I felt paralyzed.” Elvis went through four months and 13 days of therapy during his final stay. He has many fond things to say about the staff. Vincent Gonzalez and Eric Moore were his main therapists. It wasn’t an easy process. It was slow and challenging; however, with a lot of patience, little by little, the therapy team did the impossible. It wasn’t just physical encouragement; it was the mental encouragement that helped him, and he thanks them for getting him to where he is today.
Elvis speaks highly of the nursing team as well. “It is a really nice place, and everyone is very nice and helpful. The nurses, aides, and everyone did their best to help me. I really thank everyone who helped me throughout this time.” On June 17th, Elvis was discharged home. He left walking with a walker and in much less pain. He still has some pain and weakness in his right leg and gets some therapy at home. Through all his trials, Elvis always managed to smile and bring happiness to those around him. We wish Elvis continued success and a full recovery. He has taught us resilience, strength, and friendship, and will fondly be remembered in Sans Souci!