Jim Ragland’s career is teaching others how to be great nurses. When it comes to good medical care, he’s intimately familiar with what it should look like from all angles. Typically, Jim is the one providing this care, but in October of 2022, he found himself on the receiving end when he severely cut his hand on the 10-inch blade of a weed eater.

Finding a Baton Rouge Hand Specialist

There was no doubt that Jim’s injury was severe. He vividly recalls being able to see the bone in his hand. He immediately sought emergency care, but he also understood that it wouldn’t end there. This type of injury would require the expert care of an orthopedic hand specialist, and so his journey began to find one who would be able to meet his high standards of care.

Jim knew he had found both the clinic and the physician he had been searching for after his first visit with Dr. Charles Cefalu at the Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge. From setting his appointment with a kind and polite scheduler to the warm greeting from the nursing staff to his interaction with Dr. Cefalu himself, it all added up to a great initial experience and a strong sense of confidence.

“I was just so incredibly impressed,” says Jim. “I work with doctors and nurses all the time, and this is the epitome of what they should be!”

Setting a High Standard of Orthopedic Care

Dr. Cefalu performed Jim’s hand surgery with impressive results. Perhaps most impressive to Jim, however, was Dr. Cefalu’s level of communication. Understanding that he too had a medical background, Dr. Cefalu spoke to Jim as another professional. He used the appropriate medical terminology, took pictures of the surgery for him to see after the procedure, and called the next day to discuss his results.

“He’s professional, empathetic, compassionate, and listens more than he talks,” Jim says of Dr. Cefalu. 

In the end, Jim’s surgery was a success. He was quickly able to return to work, albeit with some restrictions as he heals. As a result of his overwhelmingly positive experience from start to finish, he’s become a devoted patient and proponent of both Dr. Cefalu and the Bone and Joint Clinic. For Jim, there is no doubt where he will go when orthopedic care is needed.

“I cannot say enough about Dr. Cefalu! He has an amazing bedside manner. He’s focused, attentive, professional, informative, and knowledgeable. I knew I made the right decision for my surgeon from the moment he walked into the exam room. If you need a hand surgeon, Dr. Cefalu is a sure bet!”