Legatus chaplain finds relief with Healthnetwork

Bishop Roger Gries awoke one morning last August realizing that a tendon in one of the fingers on his left hand had ruptured.

Bishop Roger Gries, OSB

“I had no movement in my finger,” the retired auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Cleveland recalled.

“Having had a similar experience on my right hand many years earlier, I knew I needed an orthopedic appointment as soon as possible,” said Bishop Gries, who has served as the chaplain of Legatus’ Cleveland Chapter since 2002. “So I did what everyone does — call their doctor.”

His previous specialist would not be able to see him for a few months.

“As chaplain to the Cleveland Chapter, I knew the valuable help members received from Healthnetwork Foundation,” he said. “Our call to Carol [medical coordinator] at Healthnetwork on that Friday led to an appointment the following Monday.”

Bishop Gries met with an orthopedic specialist who confirmed that surgery was necessary to get movement in his finger. Once again, knowing the original surgeon was booked, he enlisted Carol to help with the search for a qualified surgeon.

“I met with a wonderful surgeon — Dr. Alan Panteck at the Cleveland Clinic — who carefully conferred with the notes from my previous surgeon before explaining how he was going to approach this new surgery. It was very comforting to know he was this detailed.”

Bishop Gries had the surgery and completed his physical therapy well before the date the original surgeon had open on his calendar.

“Thanks to Healthnetwork I was able to get this taken care of quickly,” Bishop Gries said. “I was anxious to get on with my life without a cast or splint.”

“We called Carol again when I needed help with a sleep apnea prescription,” he said. “Healthnetwork came through again and I was able to get the care I needed.”

KATE HANNIBAL is Healthnetwork Foundation’s marketing manager.

HEALTHNETWORK is a Legatus membership benefit, a healthcare “concierge service” that provides members and their families access to some of the most respected hospitals in the world. One Call Starts It All: (866) 968-2467 or (440) 893-0830. Email: [email protected]

HEALTHNETWORK FOUNDATION is a non-profit whose mission is to improve medicine for all by connecting CEOs with leading hospitals and their doctors to provide the best access to world-class care and increase philanthropic funding for medical research.