R. Sann Gossum, MEDICAL, DOCTOR, MD

Dr. Sann Gossum is a life savor, and the best. Had a rotator cuff replacement, from tremendous pain before my replacement. It's been years since the successful surgery.

I was referred by an ER doctor for a shoulder injury. I was a nurse for 20 years so my understanding of the medical side of this visit is based on that. Dr Gossum entered the room and said "Your shoulder xray is normal." I wasn't surprised since soft tissue injury would not be seen on any X ray. He went on to say "An MRI MIGHT not be covered but I could try to order it." I asked for pain meds and he said "I cannot prescribe narcotics." I never asked for narcotics. He offered nothing else. He actually said to my face that the pain would "just go away on its own." It was obvious to me he was not interested in my case so I gave up on him. I'll never know why he didn't have an interest. I left his office or was dismissed in severe pain ( to the point of tears and I'm no baby) with a print out of a passive stretching protocol that I was already aware of and doing on my own at home since the injury happened. Luckily I found another doctor who happened to have an opening the same afternoon.… That felt like a God moment. He ordered ultrasound (which is usually required before an MRI as Gossum surely knows) which showed a supraspinatus tear, prominent fluid build up (bursitis) which was surgically aspirated twice under ultrasound and found to be infected. Mercifully I was given a kenalog injection after that. I have an ortho consult with an different doctor now. I don't yet know if I will need surgery ( for the tear and or a bursectomy)- but I do know that Dr Gossum simply did not care about my case for some unknown reason. I've always known from my nursing career that some doctors lack bedside manner, (but may still be good surgeons) and many specialties tend to be arrogant, abrupt and superior in attitude. He spent enough time with me but nothing else was done. I did not confront or discuss my dissatisfaction with Dr Gossum during the visit. A patient simply cannot force a doctor to care or be interested in their case and so I could never trust him. I decided to go elsewhere and I am so glad I did. I almost did not go anywhere else because I didn't want a repeat of that negative experience. Go with your own gut awareness when it comes to your health. If a doctor feels all wrong, keep going. Find the right one for you. I'd like to add that the practice has very warm friendly professional office staff and assistants which only made Dr Gossum's lack of interest and refusal to treat even more surprising. I know vets with more interest and compassion for the patient and the case.

refused to do surgery on my broken arm. Had it fixed by another surgeon. 100% recovery.

First time ever with a knee injury. First time ever going to an orthopedic surgeon/sports medicine doctor. While his office staff was terrific, my appointment got off to a rocky start with Dr. Gossum's PA Daniel Kerszencwejg. The PA spoke with me alone to do the initial in-take of my knee injury. He was wanting me to rate my pain etc. It was not the pain that brought me to the doctor but the recent swelling, stiffness and a weakness which was, for me, hard to rate on a pain scale per se. I never felt that he really got the picture. Even when trying to explain the order of events from the time of an injury to the time of the appointment was a struggle. He did not seem to get it. He used language that minimized the possibility of an injury and seemed very influenced by the fact that my pain was low. I decided to wait until the doctor came in in the hopes that I could try again to get the story across. When Dr. Gossum finally arrived his PA did all the talking in relaying my situation. … I was really wishing the doctor would address me and get the story from me. He did not. Dr. Gossum examined my knee, sat back down and told my that my "knee was not giving them much to go on". I tried re-iterating what I was experiencing and how it had been recently. Dr. Gossum then asked me some direct questions but each time I tried to answer PA literally interrupted me even comparing my knee to an injury he once had on one of his knees reiterating that knees take a long time to heal. Even the doctor turned to him at that point and said that they don't take that long! I felt seriously unheard and that my knee situation was being minimized. My only hope was that the doctor would order an MRI (which thankfully, he did). I was upset by the entire experience. A tech. came in afterwards to help schedule the MRI and I was able to share my feelings with her. She was great and asked if I felt unheard etc. She was terrific in her understanding and compassion. She asked if I would prefer the PA not be present at the next appointment to read the MRI. I said yes to that. I thought of taking my MRI results elsewhere but decided to try Dr. Gossum one more time - without the PA present to see if it could go better. It did not. To summarize: I learned that I had a torn Meniscus and he recommended surgery. When trying to talk about best courses of action to take surgery, physical therapy etc. I said "I just want to get back to fitness." to which he replied with a stern face "Well, I can't make you twenty again." I am glad that I had already read the MRI on my own. Dr. Gossum did not show me the MRI and did not talk me through it. I was for the second time in my life upset after a doctr's appt.

Total good out come!

I felt extremely comfortable with Dr. Gossum for my surgery and recovery. He spent so much time in going over surgery and recovery . Throughout the 8 months of follow up he was extremely thorough and happy to report I am fully recovered thanks to Dr. Gossum.

Best orthopedic/surgeon you can get!

As an RN visiting Santa Fe for a month, I had been having moderate to severe discomfort asides right scapula. Made an appointment with Dr Gossem, but was seen first at outpatient clinic. Had X-rays to rule out none problem and received pain med. When I saw Dr. Gossem today, he had already reviewed my X-rays, gave me a thorough evaluation, and clearly explained the connection between the symptoms and findings. He suggested physical therapy until I return home and can have a neurology consult. Dr. Gossem examined me carefully, gave me the information I needed to make decisions about my future care and a plan for now. Very good experience.