World-class orthopaedics in action: One family, six patients, 11 joint replacements

Few people have witnessed that evolution more closely than Martina Santangelo, who has worked as a Clinical Secretary to Dr. Gross since 1983, and to Dr. Paul Kuzyk since 2010. For more than four decades, she has seen the program reach new heights of surgical excellence. She has seen lives restored – first from behind the desk, and eventually, within her own family.  

So, when family and friends began to experience debilitating joint pain, Martina didn’t want them to go anywhere else for their surgical care. Over the last 25 years, six of Martina’s closest loved ones – her mother, two uncles, two aunts, and a lifelong friend – have received a total of 11 joint replacements at Mount Sinai Hospital under the care of Dr. Gross, Dr. Kuzyk and Dr. Oleg Safir.

For Martina, it wasn’t just about accessing excellent surgical care. It was about entrusting her family to the surgeons she had worked beside and watched go above and beyond for patients every single day. Knowing that her loved ones were going to receive the same compassionate, world-class care that she had seen delivered to so many others put her mind at ease.  

“I've helped so many people in this hospital and I've gotten to know a lot of people whose mothers needed a hip or fathers needed a knee replaced,” says Martina. “It's very nerve-racking when a family member is having surgery. I wouldn’t trust just anyone to operate on my mother. But the reputation of this hospital is incredible, and my colleagues are amazing.”  

This past year, Martina’s son got married – and the wedding became a remarkable full-circle moment. All three surgeons joined the celebration with Martina and the family members whose lives they helped restore. The image captures more than the surgeries that enabled her family to re-engage fully with their hobbies, work and relationships – it reflects decades of trust, gratitude and the human side of a world-class surgical program.  

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Read what Martina’s loved ones have to say:  

Meet Sandy:

Martina’s 78-year-old mother, Sandy, had her first hip replacement 11 years ago, her second hip replacement in 2021, and earlier this year, she received a knee replacement. Within two weeks, she was walking without a walker. At her grandson’s wedding, Sandy proudly walked down the aisle unaided.  

“Before the surgeries, I had severe pain and limited mobility. I couldn’t travel with my late husband or sleep at night,” says Sandy. “Now I garden, cook, travel and enjoy my weekends at the cottage with my grandchildren and great granddaughters. I am so blessed to have had Drs. Gross, Kuzyk and Safir involved in my care. Their talented skills as surgeons have changed my life completely. I have no more pain and have even forgotten that I had three joints replaced. But I do “beep” at the airport when I go through security.”

Meet Gino:  

Martina’s Uncle Gino, 72 years old, had two hip replacements and a knee replacement at Mount Sinai. Before surgery, he relied on a cane for walking and on his wife to help get dressed every day. Today, he’s back on duty as a Brampton City Transit bus driver – a job he loves.  

“I consider myself very lucky, and I’m grateful for the Orthopaedic team at Mount Sinai,” says Gino. “I was anxious before my first surgery, but the team took such great care of me that I felt no fear going into the next two. I've returned to the activities I love, including renovating my home and helping friends with their projects.”    

Meet Norma:

Martina’s Aunt Norma, a pharmacist assistant, has had two knee replacements since 2023. Chronic pain had taken a toll on every part of her life. Since her procedures, she’s been able to get more active again, shedding more than 75 pounds since being able to walk without pain.  

“I feel 20 years younger! I used to cling to fences and stop every few steps because of the pain. Now, I take the stairs at work and can run to catch the bus. I will be forever grateful for the Ortho team at Mount Sinai,” says Norma.  

Meet Irma:  

Martina’s close friend Irma was diagnosed with congenital hip dysplasia as a toddler in Vienna, Austria. After decades of managing her condition, she turned to Dr. Gross for a hip replacement at age 50.  

Twenty-five years later, her hip is still going strong:  

“Not a day passes when I am not grateful to Dr. Gross and for Martina, who helped guide me through the process. At 75, I garden for hours, walk long distances, bike and still work in real estate. Dr. Gross recently told me I may never need another hip replacement again— and that speaks to the quality of his work.”  

Laying a foundation for better surgical outcomes through philanthropy

For more than five decades, Mount Sinai Hospital has been setting new standards in orthopaedic surgery, making it possible for patients to live with less pain and enjoy better surgical outcomes. Every step of the way, philanthropy has played a crucial role in empowering physicians like Dr. Gross to push the boundaries of what’s possible in orthopaedic care.  

In October, Sinai Health Foundation hosted an event to mark an important milestone – the completion of the Dr. Allan Gross Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery. This chair not only honours Dr. Gross’ legacy as a trailblazer of complex orthopaedic care but lays a foundation for the next generation of surgical talent to continue building upon it. Martina and a number of her family members were at the event to celebrate Dr. Gross and the impact his work has had on their lives.  

We’re deeply grateful to all the donors who have supported the chair and who are helping us push the boundaries of innovation to provide the best possible care to patients when they need it most. You can join them today by making a donation here.