When Stryker employees and their family members become patients 

As part of Stryker’s drive to make healthcare better, our innovations help people around the world continue doing what they love most. Together with our customers, our company impacts the lives of over 130 million patients worldwide every year. Perhaps it’s no surprise that a number of those patients include Stryker employees and their family members. Their lives have been forever changed by the healthcare providers who use our products and innovative solutions every day. One of our core values is People, and we are proud to take care of our own.
 

Here are four of their stories.

Esley's sudden cardiac arrest

The most important thing to Esley Thorton is his family. The elder Thorton, who shares the name with his son and Stryker employee Esley Thorton, is certainly grateful that quick thinking by his loved ones and easy access to Stryker technology kept him alive.

Emily’s jaw replacement

In 2007, Emily Hartmann began experiencing muscle spasms in her jaw. She endured years of pain, avoiding talking and relying on liquid diets. She was eventually diagnosed with a rare disorder called Parry-Romberg syndrome, which causes the slow deterioration of the skin and soft tissue in half the face¹.

Jesse’s Zip skin closure

After recovering from leukemia, Stryker employee Jesse Decker was ready to get back to his active lifestyle. However, his doctor let him know that his hip wasn’t ready for physical activity and that he would need hip resurfacing surgery.

Carolyn’s hip replacement

Stryker employee Carolyn Fahey knew what it was like to be a patient – well before she became one herself. “As a former orthopaedic surgery nurse, I was the customer,” Carolyn said. “I have done the job.” But when her hip began causing her pain, she thought nothing of it – before it was too late and she required a full hip replacement.