Educator Laid Low by Pain Turns to Einstein
Suffering Relieved by Einstein Pain Institute Expert, She Wins National Honor
Philadelphia, PA, August 8, 2007 -- Kate Taylor, a seasoned educator in Morrisville, Bucks County, was plagued for years with lower back and leg pain. After
undergoing three operations on her spine, three on her neck, and one on her shoulder, she still did not experience adequate
relief – in fact, she suffered post surgery complications (from Post Laminectomy Pain Syndrome), which made her condition
worse. By 2005 the Grandview Elementary School principal was in so much pain she'd have to lie down on her desk to get some
relief; she even thought about quitting the job she loved.
Instead, after treatment at the Einstein Pain Institute, she returned to her duties full-time with renewed enthusiasm and
focus -- building relationships and encouraging students with such effect that she has been named Pennsylvania’s 2007 National
Distinguished Principal by the U.S. Department of Education. She credits S. Nadeem Ahsan, MD, a board-certified pain management specialist and director of the Einstein Pain Institute for her new outlook.
“I can’t give Dr. Ahsan a large enough thank you. He’s not only talented and compassionate, he’s very supportive,” Taylor
said. “I feel rejuvenated.”
Taylor serves as principal of Grandview Elementary School and as director of curriculum. Her ability to build relationships
and encourage students led to her selection as Pennsylvania’s National Distinguished Principal. On October 18-19, she will
join recipients from other states in Washington, DC for a whirlwind of activities including a reception at the U.S. State
Department – all pain-free.
“Persistent pain not only causes physical discomfort, it can affect your emotional well-being, motivation, and daily living.
In Ms. Taylor’s case, she also suffered from lethargy, tiredness, and an inability to think clearly because of side effects
from her pain medication,” Dr. Ahsan said. “It was very gratifying that after our course of treatment she has been able to
have her pain resolved completely.”
When Dr. Ahsan met Ms. Taylor in February 2005, she had been advised that she was not a good candidate for any further surgery.
Dr. Ahsan opted to try a very different approach to control her pain via spinal cord and peripheral electricalstimulation.
He implanted electrical leads in her spinal canal and over her lower back in a week-long trial of electrical neuromodulation
– a state-of-the-art pain management therapy. The trial demonstrated excellent results in getting her pain under better control,
while minimizing her need for pain medications.
Thus encouraged, Ms. Taylor underwent surgery in December 2005 during which electrical leads placed inside the spine were
connected to an implantable pulse generator, much like a pace-maker for cardiac patients. Thanks to the surgery she was able
to wean herself off all medications after the surgery, and her spirits soared.
“When I came off the table I was immediately relieved,” she said. “ When I saw Dr. Ahsan afterwards, I got out of my chair
and gave him a big hug and thanked him profusely. Before, I couldn’t walk more than a mile without my back giving out. Now
I can clean my house, walk and drive longer distances, and keep up with my students.”
For Dr. Ahsan, there was a big lesson from Ms Taylor’s situation: that suffering patients who’ve been told that they couldn’t
have more surgery may still have useful options available to them. He said, “There’s always room for innovation and the use
of science along intelligent lines to tailor sophisticated remedies for patients with seemingly intractable pain.”
To contact the Pain Institute, call 1-800-EINSTEIN.
About Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, is a 1,200 bed integrated delivery network serving the communities of North Philadelphia
and Montgomery County, PA. A founding member of the Jefferson Health System, Einstein combines the best of academic medicine
and community service, employing nearly 7,000 people, and offering training programs for physician residents and fellows,
nurses and other health professionals. The Network provides healthcare services through the Albert Einstein Medical Center
and Einstein at Elkins Park hospitals, its MossRehab and Belmont Behavioral Health divisions, Germantown Community Health
Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), outpatient facilities such as Center
One and Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare, network of primary care and specialist practices throughout the community. For more
information, visit www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.
CONTACT: Alexis Moore
Director of Communications
215-456-6734
mooreal@einstein.edu
Publish date: August 14, 2007
