Membership Testimonials

Geoffrey Weill Breaks Ankle on Andean Peak.

Geoffrey Weill experienced every traveler’s worst nightmare. He not only lived to tell the tale but also experienced it in the most pampered and spectacular fashion possible. “Any traveler who doesn’t take advantage of this membership truly should stay at home,” said Geoffrey.

While hiking an ancient Incan trail near Peru’s Machu Picchu, Geoffrey slid on some wet ground. His right foot lodged between two rocks, and as he turned to avoid falling on his face, he heard it—a loud crack. When he looked to assess the damage, he noticed his foot hung at a 90-degree angle from his leg, which explained the immense pain he was experiencing.

Lucky for Geoffrey, his hiking companion had a cell phone. They called the only local doctor, who hurried out to meet them. Geoffrey was given a shot for his pain and was carried on a makeshift stretcher down to the Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. There, he was re-splinted and transferred by train and ambulance to a private clinic in Cuzco. X-rays revealed a major break of the tibia and fibula just above his ankle. He was placed under full anesthesia, so this ankle could be straightened.

The question then was what to do next. He could stay in Peru and risk reparative surgery in Cuzco or Lima. Or he could call MedjetAssist and travel home.

Geoffrey chose to call MedjetAssist. Within the hour, the MedjetAssist medical team had discussed Geoffrey’s condition with the Cuzco surgeons, viewed his X-rays online and discussed the next steps with his New York City orthopedist. It was clear that major surgery was necessary.

At 11 p.m. that evening, travel plans were confirmed with Geoffrey’s wife. MedjetAssist was sending a medical Learjet staffed with two nurses to pick up both of the Weills. The aircraft could not operate in and out of Cuzco due to the elevation, so three seats were reserved on a commercial flight to Lima. They would meet the MedjetAssist medical team there.

Upon arriving in Lima, the Weills were met by a MedjetAssist crew consisting of two pilots and two nurses. The cabin of the private Lear jet was configured for a medical patient, with a comfortable hospital bed, passenger seats and a sofa. “The nurses were knowledgeable and kind, even offering reading materials, snacks and a choice of movies,” commented Geoffrey. “The selection included Intolerable Cruelty. I thought that was fitting given my situation.”

During the flight home, MedjetAssist headquarters confirmed Geoffrey’s room number at Mount Sinai Hospital. When the plane landed at La Guardia, they taxied to a remote parking spot—right next to a New York City ambulance. The nurses remained with the Weills until Geoffrey was comfortably in his hospital room on the 8th floor.

“If you’re a traveler like me, don’t take any more risks,” said Geoffrey. “I urge you to join MedjetAssist.”  

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