2/19/2009

Wabasha resident Mary Crosbie had been told that cataract surgery would be in her future.  This past December when her vision became increasingly blurry, it was obvious the time had come.  There was no doubt in her mind where she would have surgery.  After all, everybody she knew with cataracts had them removed at Saint Elizabeth’s Medical Center. 
Dr. Christopher McDevitt, an ophthalmologist with Fairview Red Wing Medical Center, regularly travels to Saint Elizabeth’s to perform cataract and other eye surgeries.  He had come highly recommended based on the positive experiences of others. Mary also welcomed the convenience of having the outpatient procedure done right in her hometown of Wabasha.
Mary met with Dr. McDevitt and immediately felt at ease. He was nice, compassionate, and sincere, she said. He listened and explained things in a way that I could understand. The day of her surgery, Mary remembers receiving eye drops in preparation for the procedure. In the operating room, Mary recalls, “The surgery staff was very prompt. They were careful and their directions were clear.  I didn’t have time to get nervous. They don’t let you sit around thinking about it. When it was over, a nurse called my ride, wheeled me to the door, and that was it.  It was that simple!” 
“The nurses all knew me,” Mary comments. “They were very friendly and never cross. They always had time for me. There doesn’t seem to be a lot of turnover.  The nurses really like working there.”
“There are many people who need this (cataract surgery) done,” she adds. “It is wonderful that these services are offered locally. Saint Elizabeth’s is really a great ‘little’ place.”