George T. Lewis of Williamsburg has suffered with arthritis for 20 years, and so is all too familiar with the joint replacement process. He’s had his right hip replaced three times, and on April 30, he had his left hip replaced.

During this most recent procedure, he had the distinction of becoming one of the first patients to be operated on in the hospital’s new Kittredge Surgery Center, and he was one of the first to recover in the expanded Joint Replacement Center.

“I was totally impressed —not only with the facility but also with the entire staff”

“I was totally impressed — not only with the facility but also with the entire staff,” George says. Everybody was proud of what they were doing and of the new facility. I could tell everyone enjoyed their work. I felt like every staff member was attentive to my progress and comfort.”

George had his first joint replacement at Cooley Dickinson in the 1990s. When that replacement wore out over time, he had revision surgery in Boston; for the left hip, he chose Cooley Dickinson again.

George remembers thinking the new operating room was huge, and he thought his single room on the joint center was “beautiful.” “After watching that high-definition television, I started hoping my television at home would burn up so I can justify getting one,” he says with a laugh.

The owner and operator of George Thomas Lewis & Co. of Northampton, George is an experienced auctioneer and appraiser who specializes in estate liquidations and antiques. He is an active community member as well.

George plays golf, walks and cares for his 10 acres of land in Williamsburg, and he is working hard to get himself back in condition. Three and a half weeks after his surgery, performed by Dr. Joseph Lellman, MD, he was walking independently, working out every day at the Northampton Athletic Club and going to rehab two times a week.

“They add to what I’m doing each time,” George says of the two staff members he’s worked with through Cooley Dickinson’s Rehabilitation Services. He says Ross Bell, physical therapist, and Christopher Hudzik, physical therapist assistant, have provided him with the best rehab experience he’s ever had, and he’s making good use of their guidance and encouragement.

Every day, George spends an hour and a half at the gym, going through his rehab routine. “I’m trying hard to gradually get back my strength and range of motion,” he says. “The biggest challenge is to recognize gains are made in small increments. Patience is definitely a virtue.”

In the Joint Center, George says staff were also attentive; he says Joyce Chunglo was his nurse during the days, and she shared with him her own experience of having joint replacement surgery. “You couldn’t make a better choice than the new Joint Replacement Center at Cooley Dickinson,” he says.