When Ernest Muegge needed surgery to repair a hernia, he turned to one of his favorite places to eat: Methodist Mansfield Medical Center.
Ernest and his wife, Marsha, have been frequenting the hospital cafeteria ever since their first granddaughter was born there in 2014. They even celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary there in 2024.
“The food was fantastic, and the service was incredible,” recalls 75-year-old Ernest, who’s now the proud grandfather of two granddaughters. “We came back often, and it quickly turned into our Friday night date-night tradition.”
So when Ernest needed care for abdominal pain caused by an inguinal hernia, Methodist Mansfield was the natural choice.
“For most people, a hospital is simply a place to receive medical care,” Ernest says. “But for us, this hospital has become a meaningful gathering place where more than a decade of memories have been made.”
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Those memories included a surprise anniversary party in 2024, complete with decorations, gifts, and a gathering of friends at Methodist Mansfield, a heartfelt gesture that caught the attention of TV news outlets.
“That celebration really showed how Methodist Mansfield had become more than ‘just a hospital’ for us over the last decade,” Ernest says. “Little did I know then that the hospital would soon care for me in a completely different way.”
In 2025, Ernest began experiencing discomfort in his lower abdomen, particularly when doing outdoor chores and other physical activities.
At first, the symptoms were mild. But as the discomfort became more frequent, he and Marsha decided it was time for another whole-body scan, something they had undergone several times over the years.
“That’s when I found out I had an inguinal hernia,” Ernest recalls. “My primary care physician referred me to Methodist Mansfield.”
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ROBOTIC SURGERY
Men are up to 10 times more likely than women to get a hernia, which happens when an internal organ or tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles.
Inguinal hernias like Ernest’s account for 75% of all hernias and are often congenital, caused by the incomplete closure of the inguinal canal in the groin during early childhood.
Surgery is the only way to fix a hernia, but it might not be necessary immediately. Instead, men who have no symptoms or are mildly symptomatic may choose “watchful waiting.”
By the summer of 2026, Ernest was done waiting and ready for a permanent solution. He met with Gary Alexander, MD, general surgeon on the medical staff at Methodist Mansfield, to discuss his options, including robotic-assisted surgery.
“There have been significant advances in hernia repair surgery over the last 15 to 20 years,” Dr. Alexander says. “Today, robotically assisted laparoscopic surgery is the standard approach and the one I recommend for the majority of my patients.”
Ernest and Marsha are still going strong 50 years after their wedding.
QUICK RECOVERY
In July 2026, Dr. Alexander successfully repaired Ernest’s hernia, making three small incisions in his lower abdomen to reposition the portion of intestine protruding through the weakened area of muscle tissue. Ernest returned home later that same day.
“Surgery day was so well organized, and the team kept both of us informed throughout the entire process,” Ernest says. “I couldn’t have asked for better care.”
Ernest’s recovery was smooth and uncomplicated, allowing him to quickly return to the activities he enjoys, including Friday night date nights at the hospital cafeteria for his favorite meal: a cheesesteak sandwich.
“Methodist Mansfield will always be more than just a hospital to us,” Ernest says. “We were thrilled to pursue treatment at a place that already felt like a second home.”
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