A Hike to Remember: Linda Yartz's Tale of Adventure and Recovery
“As I get older I forget I can’t do all the things I could when I was 40,” said Linda Yartz, a 75-year-old visitor to southern Utah from Florida. “Sometimes that gets me into trouble.”
The Frank and Linda Yartz family came together from Florida and New York to vacation in Zion National Park and the surrounding area. Unfortunately, Linda fell while hiking in Snow Canyon and badly tore up her hand.
“We’d been climbing, hiking, and enjoying the spring weather and I got a little reckless,” she said. “We came to a flat area, so I was speeding along the sandy path -- not paying attention -- and my foot caught a bit of a rock sticking up. It propelled me. My left hand, which was gripping a walking pole, took the brunt of the fall.”
The family was staying in a home on the east edge of Washington, and Linda’s husband is a veterinarian. “We drove back to the house initially thinking maybe Frank could fix it up, but quickly learned we’d need the ER,” said Linda. “You could see bone. We weren’t far from Intermountain’s new Hurricane Emergency Room, so we drove there."
“The team was ready for us at the door and they were so kind. Dr. Michael Tremea did a really good job putting nine stitches across the back of my hand. Fortunately there were no broken bones or dislocations, but he knew it took quite a blow and wanted to make sure I had full function, so he also recommended I follow up with a hand specialist.”
Dr. Dirk Slade and his medical assistant, Mahgen Ault, were getting close to the end of their day when Linda arrived. “They were so awesome and said if we didn’t mind waiting they wanted to take care of it that day,” Linda said. “They stayed late after a busy day just to take care of me, and I’m from out of town! Dr. Slade adjusted some stitches in my middle finger to allow more flexibility and helped preserve some skin that would have otherwise died. I am so grateful.”
Linda continued, "I really can brag about all of your facilities. Everyone was extremely helpful, kind, and upbeat -- from Hurricane Emergency to the doctor’s office. I get good care in Florida, but this was above and beyond. Dr. Slade even called to check on me afterward. I can't say enough about how good Dr. Slade, Mahgen and the team at Hurricane. We have greatly enjoyed this beautiful country and the wonderful people who live here."