Finding Doctors who Listen Made All the Difference in Paul’s Treatment Journey

For Paul Archambault, having a doctor-patient relationship built on trust and respect isn’t a nice-to-have… it’s essential.

Paul, a retired hospitality worker in Swansea, has endured a number of chronic health conditions over the years and has always sought to be an active partner with his physicians in his treatment. At Southcoast Health, Paul found physicians who treated him with empathy and respect – and it made all the difference.

In 2014, Paul underwent surgery to treat his gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) at a Boston hospital. The complex procedure aimed to stop stomach acid from flowing back into the esophagus. Paul was hopeful that the operation would relieve his severe GERD symptoms, but unfortunately, fate had other plans.

“From the moment I left the hospital I experienced nausea, pain, even migraines,” Paul remembers. “I had to have the surgery again six months later and even that didn’t solve the problem.”

After years of enduring nausea so debilitating that his weight dropped to 119 pounds, Paul’s journey took a positive turn when he and his Southcoast Health Primary Care Provider, Hannah Stoops, MD, began creating a roadmap for his recovery.

“Dr. Stoops was one of the only doctors I’d ever had who genuinely partnered with me to decide on the next course of action,” Paul says. “She was as determined as I was to find a solution for my nausea. Even when I shared information about alternative and complementary treatments, she never dismissed them on the spot. Instead, she drew on her medical expertise to offer her most informed recommendations.”

Dr. Stoops referred Paul to Southcoast Health Gastroenterologist Jason Reich, MD, who performed an endoscopy and other tests and identified the problems that were causing Paul so much distress – a slipped Nissen fundoplication and paraesophageal hernia. These conditions occur when the stomach migrates into the chest and can cause GERD. Paul considered seeing another Boston-based surgeon but knowing it would be easier for his family if he stayed closer to home, he found Tammy Gleeson, DO, Southcoast Health’s Chief of Thoracic Surgery and Program Director of Robotic Surgery. Dr. Gleeson came highly recommended – not only by Dr. Reich but also by the Boston surgeon Paul had consulted. Paul’s surgery would be complicated, involving removing internal scar tissue and literally rebuilding his organs, but Dr. Gleeson was up to the task.

“Selecting Dr. Gleeson for the operation was best decision I ever made,” he says. “She is gifted and brilliant as a surgeon, and compassionate as a person. Like Dr. Stoops, she took the time to listen and understand where I was coming from.

Paul’s surgery in October 2025 was a success. Aided by the da Vinci Surgical System, a robotic-assisted surgical tool, Dr. Gleeson performed a gastropexy and inserted a gastrostomy tube to “anchor” his stomach to the diaphragm and abdominal wall to prevent any further migration. Although his stay at Charlton Memorial was lengthy, it was, in his words, “wonderful.”

“The nurses on Atwood 3, especially Megan Hill, Sandra Ceceras and Haley Ramer, were spectacular,” he says. “And I can say the same for the other team members from Dietary and Environmental Services as well. Charlton Memorial has a team of truly exceptional employees who are both knowledgeable and personable.”

Once home, recovery went better than Paul’s previous two surgeries. It still took months, however – the tube wasn’t removed until the following April – and Paul still experiences symptoms like esophageal spasms. But these are manageable and Paul is enjoying life more than he has in years. He can safely eat more kinds of food and has put on some much-needed weight. Most importantly, at 67 years old Paul is finally able to spend more time doing what he loves, like expanding his coin collection and caring for the many animals in his life, including dogs, birds and cats.

Paul continues to follow up with his physicians to help ensure his recovery goes well. “They are so invested in my success. Dr. Stoops knows that I am interested in alternative treatments, and when I ask her about supplements that I’ve researched she always gives me helpful advice.

“Besides my family, Dr. Stoops and Dr. Gleeson are the only people who I trust implicitly to make medical decisions for me,” he says. “I can’t express how much my relationship with them means to me, and how much it’s improved my life. I’ve had more than my share of health problems, but with the right medical teams I feel like I am thriving today.” Paul continues, “I often ask myself, ‘How do you thank someone for giving you your life back?’ That’s why I’m sharing my story – so that more people know just how exceptional Southcoast Health’s physicians are.”

For more information on Southcoast Health Gastroenterology visit https://www.southcoast.org/services/gastroenterology/