For Frank Brady, inactivity is not an option. In addition to being a full-time real estate agent alongside his wife, Lynn, the Stow, Ohio, resident has always been a spirited athlete. Brady’s competitive sport of choice is the triathlon, an event combining the skills of swimming, biking and running.

However, in 2008 after competing in a race in Chicago, Brady knew something was seriously wrong with his right hip. He realized he would need a doctor’s intervention if he wanted to continue leading his active lifestyle. He did some research and spoke with a specialist who referred him to Dr. Lou Keppler, orthopedic surgeon and co-medical director of the Spine
and Orthopedic Institute at St. Vincent Charity Medical Center.

Brady was familiar with St. Vincent Charity, but had never actually been to the downtown hospital. To receive the highest quality care, he knew he needed the best, most highly recommended surgeon. What he pleasantly discovered was that he had found a new place for care.

Having been to other healthcare facilities before, Brady immediately recognized something different about St. Vincent Charity. “To me, there’s no comparison to St. Vincent Charity,” said Brady. “From the quality and cleanliness of the rooms, to the genuine feeling of compassion I felt from each Caregiver I interacted with. The people are what make this hospital special; you can tell that everyone really believes in the mission of the organization.”

He felt such a close connection the medical center, the Caregivers and the mission of St. Vincent Charity that he decided he wanted to become a part of it all. Just a few months after his hip replacement, Brady began donating his time as a volunteer. He admires the strong sense of camaraderie that is present.

Brady now volunteers at St. Vincent Charity for a few hours every two weeks. He visits with patients on the sixth floor, most of which are patients of the Spine and Orthopedic Institute, like he once was. He serves as a friendly face and a listening ear for the patients.

“I’ve found that oftentimes patients just want someone to talk to during their stay,” Brady said, who spends anywhere from 10 minutes up to an hour just visiting with a patient.

Brady finds that he has a lot in common with patients he visits and he knows what it’s like to be in their exact position because he’s been there—multiple times. Following his first successful hip replacement, he chose St. Vincent Charity and Dr. Keppler when he needed two additional procedures, a second hip replacement and back surgery.

“Being able to share my stories and my experiences helps put the patients at ease,” Brady said. “They see me—a 71-yearold— doing great after my surgeries and it brings them a sense of comfort.”

Brady has been a volunteer since 2008 and was recently recognized at St. Vincent Charity’s annual volunteer luncheon for reaching his five-year milestone. He was also recognized with the Customer Service Award for providing excellent care to the patients of St. Vincent Charity.

“St. Vincent Charity is truly a special place,” said Brady. “I’ve been here enough times to know that the compassion you see in the Caregivers is genuine. You can see that God is present here every day in the patients and in the Caregivers.”