October 25, 2006–His Holiness Pope Shenouda III had a successful spinal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic on Sunday, October 22, 2006. The surgery and immediate recovery have been excellent. His Holiness the Pope is currently receiving routine physical therapy, which is the natural follow-up to such surgery. Pope Shenouda is overseeing the daily affairs of the Coptic Orthodox Church from his hospital suite in Cleveland.
On Monday, October 23, 2006, His Holiness the Pope called H.E. President Mohammed Hosni Mobarak of Egypt to congratulate him on the Feast of Eid El-Fitr. President Mubarak expressed his sincere wishes for the recovery of His Holiness. Pope Shenouda was very touched by the expressions of care and concern of His Excellency the President, as well as the greetings of all the officials of the Government of Egypt.
His Holiness extends his blessings and heartfelt thanks to the Cleveland Clinic administration and staff, especially to:
Delos Cosgrove, M.D., Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Board of Trustees;
Ian Kalfas, M.D., Professor and Chairman of Neurosurgery;
Martin Schreiber, M.D., Professor and Chairman of Nephrology;
Richard Lang, M.D., M.P.H., Professor and Chairman of General Internal Medicine;
Adi Mehta, M.D., Endocrinology;
Armin Schubert, M.D., Professor and Chairman of General Anesthesiology;
Maged Argalious, M.D., General Anesthesiology;
Nagy Mekhail, M.D., Chairman of Pain Management;
The Staff of the Division of Anesthesiology; and
The Nursing Staff of G71.
His Holiness wishes to especially thank Dr. Nagy Mekhail, who has followed his care from the first visit to Germany in June 2006, when he traveled to accompany the Pope. He also prepared the visits of His Holiness to the Cleveland Clinic in June and August, 2006. He is a faithful son of the Coptic Orthodox Church and a spiritual son of His Holiness. Dr. Mekhail was assisted in the coordination of the recent surgery by Dr. Fawzy G. Estafanous and several of the physicians at the Cleveland Clinic.
His Holiness also thanks his personal doctor, Dr. Youssef Riad, Professor of General Internal Medicine, Dr. Maher Assad, Professor of Nephrology, and the entire team of physicians who care for His Holiness in Egypt.
His Holiness wishes to thank all the members of the Holy Synod, the Metropolitans and Bishops, and the clergy and laity from many parts of the world, who have sent their prayers for his health and recovery whether by personal visits, telephone calls, or other communications. May God bless them and reward them for their care and concern.
Anba Ermia
General Bishop and Secretary of H.H. Pope Shenouda III
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We continue to pray for the speedy recovery of our beloved patriarch, His Holiness Pope Shenouda III.
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To read the original statement in English:
http://www.copticpope.org/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid…
To read the official statement in Arabic:
http://www.copticpope.org/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid…
To view the press release from the Cleveland Clinic:
http://www.copticpope.org/modules.php?name=Sections&op=viewarticle&artid…
