Patient commends UF Health North for its great care and "world class" design

Yves Rathle appreciates UF Health North’s modern design and fell further in love with the facility when he received excellent patient care there.

Rathle, a Jacksonville-based architect, has designed a number of medical buildings across the country and believes UF Health North’s outpatient medical complex is second-to-none in terms of aesthetic appeal. On top of that, he says its medical staff foster a warm environment that allows patients to feel welcome and comfortable.

Last year, Rathle brought his son to UF Health North, where the teen, a soccer player, underwent surgery on the bottom of his foot. Podiatrist Jason Piraino, D.P.M., performed the operation. After Rathle became familiar with UF Health North and was so pleased with his son’s care, he found it natural to return for his own treatment.

Because of conditions with his medical insurance, Rathle needed to undergo three procedures within a month’s time. Fortunately, he was able to have all three taken care of in one day by the same surgeon, Michael Nussbaum, M.D.

“I sought out a doctor I knew could do the job,” he said.

Rathle, 53, underwent a colonoscopy, had an umbilical hernia corrected and a benign tumor in his left shoulder removed. All the procedures went well for Rathle, who was quite complimentary of his stay from the moment he came through the front door.

“It was almost a resort-like experience,” Rathle said, reminiscing about the fresh, modern furniture and decorative accents in the atrium and waiting areas. “It’s absolutely first-class.”

Rathle was impressed that staff remembered him from when he brought his son there for the foot surgery. He realized the nurses and other personnel also maintain a great balance of professionalism and personal touch. He said he definitely recommends UF Health North to anyone in the region.

“It makes you feel better and puts you in a great frame of mind,” Rathle said about the pleasant treatment he received. “All of the staff seem as if they love being there.”

Rathle said his only regret is that he wished he would have been the one who designed the building. He looks forward to seeing how the accompanying inpatient bed tower will look once built. That project is expected to be complete by mid-2017.