Mary O’Sullivan was in a wheelchair as a child after suffering from a unique strain of Polio. However her time of immobility did not last long and she was back on her feet sooner than expected. Her sister Anna explains: “We Irish are stubborn, and as fate would have it that stubbornness would not keep Mary from walking.” Mary continued to walk freely until later in life when a tumor on her spine left her partially paralyzed. As a side effect of the spine surgery, her right leg was permanently straightened to help support her weight. This unfortunately led to poor circulation in both legs. Over the years that poor circulation resulted in sores and ulcers that defied healing. Mary’s primary care doctor sent her to Dr. Tannenbaum at the St. John’s Riverside Hospital Wound Healing Center. Anna, who has been at Mary’s side throughout her treatments, will smile when she talks about the “care and affection” they received during their visits at the Wound Healing Center. “My sister and I love those girls” as she affectionately refers to the Wound Healing Team. “Pat, Tara, Corrine, Marijka are second to none. We love it every time we are there,” she said. Mary has needed the ER a few times recently for other medical needs; and every time Dr. Tannenbaum is there by Mary’s side. “Dr. Tannenbaum says Mary’s legs are important to him and he needs to keep them safe,” explains Anna. “There are no words to describe the Wound Healing Team. Today Mary’s legs are 100% healed from wounds because of him,” she adds with a smile.
