Patient Spotlight: Emma Nearhoof, Age 98
At 98 years old, Emma Nearhoof has a wit as sharp as ever and the kind of charm that makes everyone at her care facility smile.
But for nearly two years, she battled a chronic wound that refused to heal. Even her care team conceded that it would never close.
Emma developed a pressure ulcer on the right side of her ankle, likely caused by rubbing against her wheelchair. Despite multiple wound clinic visits and standard care interventions, the wound never improved.
One wound clinic even told the facility bluntly: “This wound will never heal.”
It eventually progressed into a stage 3 decubitus ulcer, leaving staff and clinicians feeling stuck. Due to the severity of the wound, Emma faced the possibility of being transferred to a skilled nursing facility, something she was determined to avoid.
That’s when Rebirth Advanced Healing was brought in.
Working alongside nurse administrator Connie Householder, our team introduced a new approach to Emma’s care focused on mobile, advanced wound therapy using placental grafts and hands-on coordination. Emma was quickly approved for treatment. And within 10 weeks, the wound had completely closed.
“She’s the kind of patient who tells it like it is,” Sean McCartney, one of our providers joked. “She told me, ‘If this doesn’t work, I’ll fire you.’” Fortunately, it did. “I’m glad I didn’t have to fire him,” she laughed during one of her follow-ups.
Householder said it was an “absolute pleasure” working with the Rebirth team.
“They show a passion for what they do, and [Emma] absolutely loved them all,” she said. “They showed caring and compassion as they interacted with [Emma] and family. Communication with them couldn’t have been any better. They are a welcoming addition to our facility services.”
“The entire team is wonderful,” Emma said. “The hole in my foot is healed and I no longer have any pain there.”
Emma’s personality is just as memorable as her recovery. She’s beloved by staff, always full of life, and proudly claims her secret to longevity is simple: “I eat what I want, I do what I want.”
Her healing journey is more than a clinical success. It’s a testament to what’s possible when patients are given a chance with the right care, at the right time. When she completed treatment, our team brought her flowers as a small token of gratitude for trusting us with her care.
“I’m glad you took a chance on me,” she said.
But truthfully, we were the lucky ones.
