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Modifying the wound medicine model.
Ruthan Brodsky I Special to the Jewish News
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Ruben founded Encompass HealthCare in
West Bloomfield in September 2010.
"I discovered early in my practice as an
infectious disease specialist that there is
more to healing a wound than just fixat-
ing on the wound," Ruben continues. "My
practice focuses on the total person because
our bodies know what to do when things
go wrong. When you were a kid and fell off
your bike, your body healed your skinned
knees and cuts in a few short weeks at most.
"My job is to return the body's system to
the same healthy condition so wound heal-
ing can be accomplished
on its own:'
Take Rabbi Herschel
Finman of Oak Park, for
example.
"The podiatrist took
one look at my foot and
told me the treatment
for that sore was way
Rabbi
beyond what he could
Herschel
do:' Finman says. "He
Finman
referred me to Dr. Ruben,
64 July 25 • 2013
who immediately had me taking antibiotics
quickly and efficiently at home. This out-
intravenously [IV infusion]. I had cellulitis,
patient treatment saved thousands of dollars
a skin infection on my lower leg, and was
in medical costs by keeping the rabbi out
having trouble walking.
of the hospital. But, more
"My treatment required IV
importantly, it made the rabbi
Dr. Bruce Ruben
infusions twice a day for two
very happy and his body
looks at t he
weeks:' Finman says. "I told
could do what it needed to
bandaged leg of
do:'
Dr. Ruben I couldn't make
Doyle Tho mpson
Dr. Lawrence Kurz,
those trips to the office so he
of Holly a s his dog
sent an infusion tech to my
an orthopedic surgeon
Inky keep s them
home twice a day. I am ever so
in Southfield and West
company.
Bloomfield, first met Ruben
grateful because I would have
been stuck in a hospital for 10
when they were doing their
days, which would have been a big waste of
fellowships at Beaumont Hospital in Royal
time.
Oak.
"The man is incredibly knowledgeable. I
"From the very beginning, he took a com-
healed in two weeks and was good for three
prehensive perspective of infectious disease
years. Then, I had two recurrences. As a
and was adamant about finding the causes
result, he has me on a prophylactic antibi-
for not healing rather than covering it up,"
otic treatment, taking two small pills daily. I
Kurz says.
no longer have symptoms of any infection:'
"Ruben understands that time is of the
Ruben says, "Taking care of Rabbi
essence when it comes to treating an infec-
Finman at home not only prevented the
tion. That's why it's important to me that
possibility of him contracting another infec- he has always made himself immediately
tion from the hospital, but it also gave him
available for my patients. And I appreciate
the comfort and safety of his own home.
the convenience it gives them because they
"I felt his body would heal itself more
receive all their treatments in one place:'
Ruben explains, "The medical model I'm
practicing is sensitive to disabilities, conve-
nient and humane. Integrating the wound
healing disciplines is part of that model
because wound medicine goes beyond
traditional wound care. I'm convinced you
need to diagnose and treat the underlying
medical conditions that inhibit the healing
process.
"That's why we say, 'We heal from the
inside out: We take all of the patient's physi-
cal, mental and lifestyle factors into consid-
eration and then create a treatment plan."
Welcoming Philosophy
Besides being a one-stop facility, what also
makes Encompass HealthCare different is
the facility.
The first impression of the office is one of
openness. Reuben treats many paraplegic
and quadriplegic patients with bedsores.
These patients need safe access to wound
healing services. Three years ago, Ruben
gutted his office to make everything barrier-
free and wheelchair accessible, including the
coat racks.
The office contains a Hoyer lift to help