After Four Surgeries Detroit Retiree Credits Henry Ford with Giving Her Life Back

Since the 1960’s Barbara Davis has considered Henry Ford Health her home for health care. With a daughter born at Henry Ford Hospital 50 years ago, she has relied on Henry Ford in sickness and in joyous moments.

The Detroit resident who retired from working in payroll for the City of Detroit Water and Sewage Department, feels fortunate that for most of her life she has had relatively few health issues. The last six years have been a different story requiring four surgeries in that short period of time.

“I had thyroid surgery with Dr. Michael Singer, then when I was on a trip to Washington D.C., I had a gastrointestinal condition that required me to come back home right away for treatment,” Barbara says.

After going to the emergency room at Henry Ford Hospital, she was admitted to the hospital. Barbara developed an anal fistula, an abnormal passageway that develops from inside the anus to the skin. She required surgery which was performed by Surya Nalamati, MD, colon and rectal surgeon at Henry Ford Health.

“I was terrified that I would require a colostomy bag but Dr. Nalamati put me at ease. When I woke up after surgery and saw that I did not need the colostomy bag I just looked at the ceiling and said thank you God and thank you Dr. Nalamati for saving my life.”

Degenerative osteoarthritis requires two knee surgery replacements for Barbara

Barbara, who was on the swim and dance team growing up, has recently enjoyed walking as her main activity to stay active. Pain in both of her knees due to degenerative osteoarthritis had derailed her ability to walk without a cane, leading at times to falling on the ground.

After her thyroid surgery, Barbara had a knee replacement on her right knee with Trevor Banka, MD, orthopedic surgeon at Henry Ford Health, then returned to Dr. Banka to have her left knee replaced in May, 2024 at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital after her colorectal surgery.

"Barbara is an amazing person with incredible drive,” noted Dr. Banka who says her bilateral knee arthritis affected her health and wellbeing. “She had the positive attitude and determination to really soar after a knee replacement, but she struggled with other health challenges, so we had to time the surgeries just right. As expected, she did great after both knee replacement procedures, and I'm so pleased she's doing well. It’s truly a testament to her positive attitude and will to get better," he expressed.

Barbara recently finished physical therapy at Henry Ford Rehabilitation-Ford Road where she spent several weeks on activities like riding a bike and walking stairs to gain strength. Thanks to successful surgeries and rehabilitation, she is well on her way to leaving her cane behind and walking to her heart’s content.

“I’ve told people if you need your knees fixed go see Dr. Banka and let him do what he does so well. He is truly an excellent surgeon who personally called me after my surgeries to see how I was doing, something I really appreciated,” Barbara says.

“Frankly I thank God for all the doctors I’ve encountered throughout my life at Henry Ford. They have not only saved my life, but put me back together so I can continue to live a productive healthy life.”