05/06/2026
Not only is he intelligent and an exceptionally talented surgeon, but heโs a really great guy with a big heart! Congratulations to Dr. Rathje on his Care Like Crazy award! โค๏ธ๐๐
A colleague submitted this story:
I was bringing a 5 y/o patient back for surgery with Dr. Fallick on 01/15/26, and she was understandably apprehensive. All the way from SPR to the OR doors, she sat at the foot of the bed, as if ready to make a break for it. When we stopped outside the OR doors, she began crying and jumped into her mother's arms, refusing to let go. We asked if she wanted to walk to the room or ride in the bed. Both were definite "no's", so I offered to carry her. She agreed, which was great, but I still needed to get her bed out of the hallway and back to the OR. When I went to scan my badge to open the main OR doors and look for a helper, they magically opened and Dr. Rathje appeared with a smile. The SPR nurse and I said, "Dr. Rathje has daughters, can he carry you back?" The patient looked at him for a moment before calmy nodding her head. He introduced himself as he took her into his arms, and she remained calm as could be all the way to our room as I followed with her bed.
While I'm sure I would've found another person to drive the bed while I carried the patient, Dr. Rathje's help was so incredibly appreciated. His calm and caring demeanor was just what we needed to help at that moment, and I wanted to share the story of how he made a difference for everyone involved! He's just the best!
Congratulations, Dr. Rathje!
