Dr. John Louis Esterhai

Dr. Esterhai was the most remarkable physician and human being I have ever met. His care, compassion, and humility along with extraordinary gifts as a physician make him #1 in my book. I feel very privileged to have had him perform a very serious surgical procedure recently and would recommend him highly. If I could give him a 10 star rating, I would!

Words can't express ... he simply knows, he simply understands...

I had injured my left shoulder in Oct. 1983. The Orthopedic I was seeing told me (after X-Rays) that all I needed was rest. 3 months later I was allowed to lift light weight, shoulder immediately "pooped out". Went to Dr. Esterhai. Before I said anything, he looked at X-ray (same one other doctor had looked at) and he advised me that all the rest in the world would not help. I NEEDED SURGERY. He did a surgical procedure (Weaver-Dunn) in 1984 and here it is 2013 and my shoulder is still 100%. I have full range of motion and my recovery period was exactly how he said it would be. Great doctor and a great guy (that helped).

He operated on me on a Sunday night from 9 to midnite to save my life, and my entire left leg, from an attack of "necrotizing faciitis", which normally has a 5% survival rate, and even then results in amputations. He gutted everything inside my leg, down to the muscle and bone.He, or his associates, visited me daily for the month in the hospital, during which time I spent 2 hours/day in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber (as well as from 1-3 am after the surgery).The results were 100% successful. He was unbelievably professional throughout the entire period, and comforting to my family during the initial critical time.

I can't say enough good about Dr. Esterhai and his staff for being able to allay my fears about what I was facing before and after surgery performed to amputate my right leg below the knee. It's been a bit more than a year since the surgery and I feel as if I'm doing very well thanks to everyone's efforts at the U of Penn Hospital. I can't say it was easy getting an appointment (makes sense in as much as they are very good) but when I got thru on the phone to the Dr's. assistant she spent a good deal of time trying to ascertain if I warranted their level of care, treating me respectfully in doing so. Thanks to you all again! John and Charlotte Edwards PS-I said above that the waiting was 30 min. This is hard to gage since the location is in Phila., an hour from our home at the time, and you have to be sure that you get to the office, not knowing what might happen in transit. During one trip for an appointment we were faced with some delays due to a water main break in the city… but used our cell to inform his office what we were up against and they were very cooperative in ensuring us that all would be ok once we arrived even though possibly late.

About 7yrs ago while living in p.r I was diagnosed with a rare bone infection called osteomylitis in my left femur and I almost lost it.almost a year later with only a 30 percent chance of saving my leg from amputation I decided to go to the university of Penn hospital where I met dr. Esterhai!he seemed like an angel sent from god and gave me an 80 percent chance of keeping my leg......well here I am 7yrs later and thanks to him I'm still walking with my leg!he is the best dr. I know and I strongly recommend him!!!!!

One of the finest doctors I have everhad to date! I have been a pt. since 1984. Dr. Esterhai is very knowledgeable, puts much thought into the pt's. situation,is very understanding and sensitive. He always puts himself in the pt's. place and discusses what he would do if he were the patient;you get a genuine comprehensive evaluation. He cares enough to think what is the best course of action. Always a compasionate gentleman; trained by the best when being on staff at H.U.P. meant that you were the cream of the crop. My uttermost respect for the years of treatment and for saving my foot. I am grateful to this man.

If ever there were an individual who could be praised to the highest, it is Doctor John Esternai! Besides being a very distinguished and excellent physician, Doctor Esterhai is one of the most caring and kind human beings I have ever met. I would hope that his parents would know all the attributes that their son possesses due to their stellar job of raising him. Hats off to them! I have entrusted him with the life of a very ill child. I have the utmost confidence in his decisions, devotion to his patients and to his profession! One who comes under Doctor Esterhai's care is truly blessed - there could be none finer than he!

Dr. diadnosed the situation, explained the options and results, performed the operation and conducted a follow-up to remove stitches, examine X-Rays, recomend therapy,scheduled follow-up and X-Rays. Great bedside and follow-up manner and extremely informative.

Dr. E has a caring way about him that I have not seen in the past. I bought my young daughter in with me on an appointment and three days after she received a letter from Dr. E stating that he enjoyed meeting her and thought she had a great dad. How many Doctors take the time to do that?