May 9, 2026
Michele Pilon
CEO, Transylvania Regional Hospital
As we age, our joints sustain wear and tear and we experience injuries, which can lead to pain and limited mobility that can become chronic. When our ability to move well is compromised, or we’re living with persistent pain, our quality of life is reduced. We shouldn’t just accept orthopedic pain and limitations as an inevitable part of life.
Strides have been made with knee and hip replacements with orthopedic procedures now often being done in a minimally invasive way, meaning that smaller incisions are necessary, so more muscle is spared and there’s less tissue damage. These procedures are associated with a wide range of benefits for the patient: a faster, less painful recovery, less postsurgical bleeding and scarring, and a reduced risk for post-surgical infection.
At Transylvania Regional Hospital (TRH), we’re also proud to be debuting our new Total Joint Program soon, an impactful education initiative that will help patients prepare for orthopedic surgery so they can experience the most positive outcomes possible. The Total Joint Program is personalized for each patient in partnership with their orthopedic surgeon.
Preparing yourself properly for orthopedic surgery is essential so that surgery can go smoothly and a full recovery can be achieved. Some of the things you can do to ensure that you’re robust and healthy before joint surgery include eating well, quitting smoking if you smoke, and making sure that any chronic conditions you live with, such as diabetes, are stable and well managed by your surgery date.
Before your surgery, we discuss what to expect on surgery day with patients, such as arriving some hours before surgery to get prepared and receive anesthesia. The good news about orthopedic surgery is that many times, you can return home the same day, and we talk to you about the fact that you will be encouraged to start moving soon after surgery.
We also provide information about what to expect when you’re discharged after surgery and recommendations about your recovery, which may include making plans for securing help at home during your recovery period, making your home safer and removing fall risks like throw rugs and clutter, and feeling clear and confident about what activities you should attempt as you move more. Physical therapy is another important component of your recovery, and we talk about the importance of keeping those appointments.
For the most successful orthopedic surgery outcome, the patient, surgeon, and our TRH team must form a cohesive, strong partnership. This means that the patient will be able to go back to living the active, full life they once enjoyed before they had to cope with joint pain, limited mobility, and other challenges.
We should also remember that orthopedic services don’t just encompass those that are associated with surgery. Our orthopedic care also includes conservative, noninvasive treatment approaches like pain medication, devices like casts and braces, steroid injections for joint pain, and physical therapy exercises. If a patient does need orthopedic surgery, however, significant advances in procedures, particularly regarding hip replacement, have revolutionized both procedures and the recovery process.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to introduce our newest orthopedic surgeon, Dr. David Braun, who is playing a major role in developing our Total Joint Program. He comes to us from Florida, where he worked in multiple settings using his expertise to focus on sports medicine. He has served as a collegiate Team Physician and as Assistant Team Physician for the Cleveland Indians, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Cleveland Browns teams. We are delighted that Dr. Braun has joined our team, and I know he will help many patients in need of orthopedic care.
Dr. Braun’s practice, Brevard Orthopedics, is at 187 Medical Park Drive, and you can call (828) 884-2055 to schedule an appointment or get more information.
We want our community to feel confident that when they need orthopedic care, TRH is the place to come. We’re ready to help you with all joint issues, including when patients need orthopedic surgery, and are committed to your full recovery.
As we celebrate National Hospital Week, May 10–16, I also want to recognize the entire Transylvania Regional Hospital team who makes programs like this possible. From our surgeons and nurses to rehabilitation specialists, technicians and support staff, it takes a coordinated, compassionate effort to deliver the high-quality care our community deserves. Every day, this team shows up for our patients and for one another, helping our neighbors return to active, healthy lives. We are grateful for their dedication and proud of the difference they make across our region.
Michele Pilon, MS, BSN, RN, NE-BC, is the chief executive officer and chief nursing officer of Transylvania Regional Hospital. Her professional experience includes service as a bedside nurse and more than a decade as a leader at healthcare institutions in Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. She earned a Bachelor’s in Nursing from Ohio’s University of Akron and a Masters in Health Services Administration from the University of St. Francis in Illinois.