CHERAW – Dr. Tom DiStefano wanted to be in a profession where he could help people.
DiStefano, an orthopedic Surgeon at McLeod Health Cheraw, said he felt very blessed to have had the opportunity to become a sports medicine fellowship-trained, board-certified, orthopedic surgeon.
“I wanted to become a doctor because it was very important to me to have a profession where I could help people,” he said.
His grandfather was the dean of anatomy at the Maryland Dental School and was a significant influence on DiStefano entering a medical career.
After high school, he went to school for 18 years, which included him getting his masters in anatomy.
“I truly loved anatomy, and that was when I knew I definitely wanted to become a surgeon,” he said.
A lifelong sports fanatic, it made orthopedics and sports medicine a clear choice for DiStefano.
“It was my goal from the first day of medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon,” he said.
For him, being an orthopedic surgeon has truly been both rewarding and challenging, which has made it the perfect career.
He added he liked working in a rural community and felt there was a tremendous need for quality, orthopedic care in rural communities.
Five years ago, he and his wife Mindi (first assistant) moved to Cheraw to join McLeod Health Cheraw.
The DiStefanos have been genuinely welcomed by the community.
“We feel we have been able to make a big impact on the lives of the people in the communities of Chesterfield and Marlboro counties and surrounding areas,” he said. “The gratitude we received from the community makes all of the hard work, continued training, and paperwork worthwhile. I feel truly blessed to be where I am.”