We’ve all had our share of good days and not so good days. Over the past year, Leo Vondas has experienced more than his fair share of not so good days. However, according to his wife, Carol, Leo’s most fortunate day was when he was referred to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
“Leo was seeing a doctor for an ulcer on his baby toe,” Carol says. “Soon it became infected. Leo learned that he had peripheral vascular disease, or PVD.” For the next three months, Leo would experience pain and developed new issues that would not resolve. A doctor Leo was seeing arranged for him to be admitted to the MedStar Health Wound Healing Institute at MedStar Georgetown. He had a severe infection in his fourth toe and was treated with IV antibiotics until it cleared.
Carol remembers, “We had planned a much-anticipated trip to Greece, and Leo felt well enough to make it. Unfortunately, he began to develop signs of another infection with a fever days after arriving in Athens. We returned home with no time to spare. As soon as we arrived back in Washington, D.C. we went immediately to MedStar Georgetown.”
It was a good thing they did. This time Leo needed microsurgery to remove the infected soft tissue and bone, which took 11 hours. To close the wound, his doctors had to perform a highly complex procedure involving harvesting and transferring healthy tissue. He spent the next month at MedStar Georgetown recovering.
“Throughout the process, his doctors have been a truly positive force. Dr. Karen Evans, Dr. Chris Attinger, and the entire wound care team at the hospital have gone above and beyond to treat Leo. We’ve truly been fortunate to get the A team.”
In appreciation for the outstanding care Leo has received throughout his medical journey, Leo and Carol have given their unwavering support to the hospital, naming a room in the new Medical/Surgical Pavilion in honor of Dr. Evans. Carol is also contributing her free time as a volunteer at MedStar Georgetown.
“Everyone at the hospital is professional, friendly, and accommodating, from the parking lot attendants to all the support staff. Our dedicated doctors are the very best at what they do! Their commitment is simply inspirational,” Carol notes. “They treat us like family. We are very grateful and will always appreciate the remarkable care and the friendships we have made at MedStar Georgetown.”