Tony Testa’s life has always been about giving it his all for the fans. As the original guitarist for the Duprees and now their leader and front man, his charismatic personality and give-and-take with the audience make every show dynamic and unforgettable.
The band shot to fame in the early 1960s with hits like “You Belong to Me,” “Have You Heard,” and “(It’s No) Sin.” Extensive touring and physical wear and tear on Testa over the years made for a hip condition that took him off his feet earlier this year.
A born performer, Testa lives in Jackson Township, but made the trip north to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth based on a friend’s recommendation.
“I’ve known Nadine Brechner [Chief Development Officer and Vice President of the Trinitas Health Foundation] for some time now, and she told me about the facilities and staff there who could perform my hip replacement,” Testa says.
Brechner told him about Trinitas’ use of the Hana® Orthopedic Table, making hip replacement surgery a vastly improved experience than what it used to be---meaning minimally invasive, less painful, and a much faster recovery.
Of course, the COVID-19 pandemic put a sizable spin on the situation for Testa, whose touring schedule is on hiatus, therefore allowing plenty of time for recovery. Live concerts and special events like Holland America’s Malt Shop Cruise – set to feature the Duprees along with other hallmark acts of the doo-wop age – will resume when restrictions lift. Although he was concerned about having surgery during a pandemic, it was time, and he’s glad to have it done it.
The effort to get him back into the spotlight included orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Ghobrial, anesthesiologist (and Chair of Trinitas’ Department of Anesthesiology) Leon Pirak, and the nursing team – all of whom Testa describes as “nothing short of incredible.”
“The whole staff was extremely attentive to health and safety protocols,” he says. “They made sure everyone had masks, were always taking people’s temperatures and wiping everything down. As a patient, I never felt unsafe or like corners were being cut.”
“I would recommend Trinitas to everyone,” he says. “I couldn’t have been happier with the whole experience,” he says. “Dr. Ghobrial was terrific. Leon Pirak? Top-notch. The nurses – I can’t say enough about them. Any time I needed something or pushed that little button, they were right there. I had the surgery on a Tuesday in early June, and was out of the hospital by Thursday morning. I was walking again almost immediately. I may even be back on stage by September!”
About Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Trinitas Regional Medical Center was established in 2000 following the consolidation of Elizabeth General Medical Center and St. Elizabeth Hospital. Trinitas, a major center for comprehensive health services for those who live and work in Central New Jersey, is a Catholic teaching medical center sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Saint Elizabeth in partnership with Elizabethtown Healthcare Foundation. With 12 Centers of Excellence across the continuum of care, Trinitas has distinguished itself in cardiology, cancer care, behavioral health, renal care, nursing education, diabetes management, wound healing, breast health, seniors healthcare, women's healthcare and sleep medicine.