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At first, Stephanie B. didn’t think too much about a pain underneath her ribs that started one day during a walk on the beach. She was 40 years old, in good health, and up and about for the first time after a COVID-infection. But when the pain persisted for a few days – and became worse whenever she sneezed or laughed – Stephanie made an appointment to see her primary care physician, Marissa Ferrazzo-Weller, DO, at Summit Health. 

Looking back, Stephanie said she is forever grateful that she came to Summit Health’s healthcare hub in Clifton, NJ, that day. “Dr. Ferrazzo-Weller saved my life. Without her and the resources that were available to me right away, I might not be here,” she recalls. 

“I wanted to tell my story because women often dismiss their symptoms since they are so busy caregiving for others, but it is important not to ignore anything going on in your body,” adds Stephanie. “If you feel any sense of weirdness, especially after a recent COVID infection, see your doctor because you simply don’t know.”  

When Stephanie arrived at Summit Health’s Clifton hub for her 3:30 pm appointment, her breathing rate and oxygen level were normal. However, Dr. Ferrazzo-Weller, who had been her PCP for two years, saw some concerning signs. Based on Stephanie’s age, history of taking the birth control pill and recent COVID infection, she wanted to rule out the possibility of a blood clot.

“At most healthcare practices, I would have had to send Stephanie to the ER. Since she was clinically stable, Stephanie would have waited hours for tests and even longer for a diagnosis,” explains Dr. Ferrazzo-Weller. “But Summit Health’s community healthcare hubs have most of the services you need in one location to help address many medical issues – including advanced diagnostic imaging, a comprehensive laboratory, primary care and specialists in 21 areas of medicine and comprehensive cancer services including infusion and radiation therapy – right in-house under the same roof as my office. This allowed us to facilitate Stephanie’s care faster and more comfortably than in a traditional hospital setting.” 

Immediately, the team at the Clifton hub sprang into action to care for Stephanie. Dr. Ferrazzo-Weller’s medical assistant ran over to the radiology department and scheduled a CT scan right away. The extensive laboratory staff turned around a complete blood panel in less than an hour. The radiologist on call read the scan right away and the evening covering doctor called Dr. Ferrazzo-Weller with the abnormal results before 6pm. 

Two hours after Stephanie’s appointment, they had a diagnosis. “This story shows how every team member at Summit Health – from the CT scheduler to the technician, the radiologist and the lab tech, and the covering doctor – worked together to provide incredible care for this patient,” says Dr. Ferrazzo-Weller. “It is truly an incredible team clinical win.”

Stephanie was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism, a blood clot in the lung, which can be fatal if it is not found and treated right away. “I was in the car driving home when the doctor called me,” she remembers. “I hadn’t even made it back home yet.” 

Dr. Ferrazzo-Weller worked with the pharmacy to ensure Stephanie was treated right away. Despite medication shortages, she had a first dose of anticoagulant (a blood thinner) by 9pm. She received several follow-up phone calls from the care team that same night. They also scheduled her for multiple follow-up visits. 

Today, Stephanie is fully recovered, her blood clot has resolved, and she continues to receive care at the Summit Health Clifton hub. After being diagnosed with an iron deficiency, Dr. Ferrazzo-Weller connected her with Andrew Lu, MD, a hematologist at the Clifton hub. Stephanie is now receiving iron treatments at the infusion center and when she or a family member needs immediate care, they walk right into the urgent care center which is available on-site. 

Stephanie feels confident knowing the Clifton hub is there in her neighborhood no matter what problem arises. “The whole staff at Summit Health was wonderful and continues to be, including my new infusion nurse, Alan, who guided me through my first set of treatments. I will continue to rely on the Clifton location because it offers excellent care, is conveniently located and the building is immaculate.”

“I told Dr. Ferrazzo-Weller when I saw her last week that she really saved my life,” Stephanie adds. “This could have gone a very different way if I had waited too long, ignored my symptoms or if she hadn’t picked up on the signs. Looking back, it feels very surreal. I am so thankful to have her as a doctor and grateful for the entire staff at Summit Health who helped take care of me.”