Dignity Health | hello Healthy | Spring 2019

HelloHealthy | Spring 2019 3 We hope you enjoy this issue of HelloHealthy . Comments about the publication can be directed to the Marketing and Communications Department: DIGNITY HEALTH – Mercy and Memorial Hospitals P.O. Box 119, Bakersfield, CA 93302 | 661.327.4647, ext. 4434 HelloHealthy is published by Dignity Health – Mercy and Memorial Hospitals to provide general health information. It is not intended to provide personal medical advice, which should be obtained directly from a health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2019 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Marketing and Communications Department Robin Mangarin-Scott—Vice President, Strategic Marketing and Communications–Central California Michelle Willow—Director of External Communications–Central California Cody Brutlag—Marketing Manager–Central California Jessica Neeley—Communications Specialist–Central California Fabiana Rienzo—Communications Specialist–Central California Michelle Oliver—Marketing Manager–Central California Meet Timothy Galan, MD Get to knowMercy Hospital’s newest orthopedic surgeon Make the call To make an appointment with a specialist at Mercy Orthopedic, Spine & Hand Center, call 661.664.2300 . In addition to joint replacement surgery, Dr. Galan’s specialties include: ●  ● Nonsurgical management of hip and knee arthritis. ●  ● Fracture care. ●  ● Joint preservation (treatment intended to delay or avoid the need for joint replacement surgery). ●  ● Revision of hip and knee replacement. For Timothy Galan, MD, the best part about being an orthopedic surgeon is making an immediate—and meaningful—difference in people’s lives. That may be someone who has dealt with painful arthritis for years and can now enjoy a more pain-free, active life because of the treatment he provides. “I enjoy seeing the results and my patients’ appreciation for them,” he says. “Every day it’s a miracle. I’m very happy doing what I do.” Dr. Galan is the newest member of the surgical staff at the Mercy Orthopedic, Spine & Hand Center. He recently completed fellowship training in adult joint reconstruction at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida. A former nurse, almost an engineer Dr. Galan started his medical career as a nurse in Modesto. Before that, he graduated with a degree in engineering like his dad. But he ultimately followed in the footsteps of his mother, who had been a nurse in Ukraine before she became a physician. “I actually always wanted to be a doctor, so after four years of working as a nurse, I applied to medical school,” Dr. Galan says. “I decided to specialize in orthopedics after an orthopedic surgeon spoke to my class in medical school,” he recalls. “I was just blown away by the presentation and made the decision that that was who I wanted to be. Since then, I never thought twice about it or had any doubts.” After medical school in Minnesota, Dr. Galan completed an orthopedic residency at UCSF Fresno. His nursing background helps him relate to patients and families. Being a mechanical engineer helps him think about orthopedic problems three-dimensionally, he says. Dr. Galan chose to work at Mercy because the philosophy here aligns with his own belief in whole-person care. “I treat everybody like family because that’s how I was trained and that’s how I expect my doctors to treat me,” he says. When he’s not seeing patients, Dr. Galan enjoys spending time with his three children. His interests include skiing, hiking, art, sports, traveling, and history. “I could talk for hours about history,” he says.