For nearly three decades, Dr. Howard Place, an orthopedic surgeon with SSM Health SLUCare Physician Group and current Interim Vice Dean for Clinical Affairs at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Hospital, has been more than just a physician—he has been a guiding light for countless patients facing life-altering injuries. As he enters retirement, Dr. Place said he feels thankful for the trust that so many people have placed in his care.
"I have been so blessed by my 28-year career at Saint Louis University, SSM Health SLUCare Physician Group, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital and Cardinal Glennon Hospital,” said Dr. Place. “It has given me the chance and support to serve others. The SSM Health mission has been one that I have continued to strive towards. I have been very fortunate."
Yet his patients were equally grateful, and one, Eric Newby, had the chance to reconnect and show Dr. Place how his encouragement had not only impacted his own life but sent ripples cascading throughout the world.
A life-altering night
In 2006, on the night of his high school graduation, Eric Newby’s life changed in an instant. He and his friends were celebrating when they piled into a pickup truck to head to another party. The driver, going nearly 100 mph, lost control, sending the truck flipping end-over-end into a field. During one of the flips, the roof caved in, striking Eric on the top of his head.
“When everything stopped moving, I knew something was wrong,” Newby recalled. “I tried to push open the door, but my head just fell to the side. My legs felt heavy, like they were asleep. I knew right away—I was paralyzed.”
He was airlifted to SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, where Dr. Howard Place performed emergency surgery. But beyond the procedure itself, it was Dr. Place’s words that truly shaped the course of Newby’s recovery.
A steady light in the darkness
In the days following his accident, Newby was faced with grim predictions from doctors—he would never walk again, he would need constant care, and his life as he knew it was over. But Dr. Place offered a different perspective.
“Yes, you’ll be in a wheelchair,” Newby said Dr. Place told him, “But your life isn’t over. You can still do great things.”
At a time when Newby was struggling with the reality of his injury, those words provided hope. “Dr. Place was always this steady light,” he said. “Even now, when I talk about my accident, his name always comes up. He was the first person to show me that my life wasn’t over.”
Inspired by Dr. Place’s encouragement, Newby committed himself to therapy and pushed his limits. He connected with a support group of others with spinal cord injuries and found strength in their resilience. Just five weeks after his surgery, he started training for wheelchair rugby.
A Paralympic success story
That decision would change the trajectory of his life. Newby didn’t just play wheelchair rugby – he excelled. He went on to compete on the U.S. Paralympic Rugby Team, winning three silver medals in the Seoul, Brazil, and Paris Paralympics. Today, he is a coach for Team USA, helping other athletes with disabilities find their strength and purpose through sports.
Although Newby had a few follow-up visits with Dr. Place, they had not seen each other in nearly 20 years—until recently, when he had the chance to personally share his success.
“It was incredible to sit down with him again and reminisce about those early days after my accident,” Newby said. “I told him how much his words meant to me back then and how they fueled everything I’ve done since.”
For Dr. Place, the reunion was a testament to the power of compassionate care—something that has defined his career.
“It was amazing to reunite with Eric after all these years. It is always good to see the successful follow-up of our efforts,” said Dr. Place. “I am so glad that I could help him recover and make such an impact on others.”
A lasting legacy
As Dr. Place prepares to retire, he leaves behind not only a legacy of skilled surgical care but also a profound impact on the lives of those he has treated.
“For me personally, I owe him everything,” Newby said. “Yes, he was the surgeon that day, but he was also the person who brightened a very dark time for me. He helped push me toward the life I have now.”
Dr. Place’s influence extends far beyond his patients. When asked about Dr. Place’s extraordinary career, Kevin Elledge, Regional Medical Group President, SSM Health St. Louis Region, noted, “Dr. Howard Place's unwavering dedication to his patients, his mentorship of future physicians, and his collaboration with fellow leaders have left an indelible mark on the medical community in St. Louis and beyond. His compassionate care and visionary leadership inspire excellence in everyone around him. We are all better because of Dr. Howard Place.”
As Dr. Place steps into retirement, his legacy will live on – not just in the halls of SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital, but in the lives of the patients he has helped, the doctors he has mentored, and the countless people who have been inspired by his care.
