Back in action

For more than two years, Frank Vala endured excruciating back pain that interrupted his life, making even simple activities feel impossible. After two surgeries and multiple injections that failed to bring him relief, his hope was dwindling. But Vala’s journey took a positive turn when he found SIU Medicine and surgeon Dr. Bruce Frankel, whose advanced techniques offered a new path to recovery.

Vala, 75, a resident of Leland Grove, was worn down from the pain and instability that caused frequent falls. "I had tried everything, but nothing worked. The pain was unbearable," he said. “I was at the end of my patience."

It wasn’t until a friend recommended Dr. Frankel at SIU Medicine that Vala found hope again. His optimism grew when he learned SIU offered minimally invasive endoscopic robotic-assisted spinal fusion surgery. "Dr. Frankel is doing some cutting-edge stuff, and I was ready to try anything," said Vala.

The surgery was a success. Today, Vala is pain-free and embracing the activities he once thought he’d never enjoy again. 

"The pain is gone, and I feel confident I can engage in any activities I want to do," Vala said.

But for Vala, it wasn’t just the advanced technology that made a difference—it was the personal care he received from his medical team. 

"You won’t find a nicer guy than Bruce Frankel," Vala said with a smile. "He really cares, and he even called me at home on Thanksgiving Day after the surgery just to make sure I was OK."

Vala also spoke highly of the entire SIU Medicine and Memorial Health team, including Ashley Horton, RN, and Mike Sheedy, MD. "From the staff at Springfield Memorial to Dr. Frankel and his staff at SIU—I received excellent care," he said. 

For Vala, accessing this level of care so close to home was a bonus. "Springfield is lucky to have such a gifted surgeon in our community. I hope that by telling my story, I can raise awareness of the access to world-class surgical care available right here in Springfield. Why would I go anywhere else?"

Frank Vala’s journey from chronic pain to healing is a reminder that sometimes, the solution to life-altering conditions can be found right in your own community—thanks to the dedication of skilled professionals like Dr. Bruce Frankel and the team at SIU Medicine. For Vala, they didn’t just alleviate his pain; they spent the time to explain the procedure, which gave him relief from the fear of the unknown. And, they gave him back his life.