Santa Says ‘Thanks’ for New Hip

Children’s eyes were aglow to see a special guest at the Benefis Orthopedic Center of Montana, but on this day, it was Santa’s turn to express awe and wonder. For he was here to see a certain orthopedic surgeon who undoubtedly made it to the top of the nice list: Michael Dube, MD.

“My hip works!” Jim Pankratz, a popular Great Falls Santa Claus, cheerfully announced.

In October, a mere month before he was set to don his red suit, Jim tripped on a concrete parking stop and broke the ball of his hip. He could feel the bone grinding on bone when he tried to walk. The pain “wasn’t fun,” he said.

But, Dr. Dube was able to perform an urgent hip replacement for Jim, getting him back on his feet in time for Christmas.

“I can walk now,” Jim said. “He could explain to me what was happening and what he planned.”

Jim is also a private contractor who does painting and drywall. His hip has to work so he can work, and now it does. Jim was eight weeks post-surgery and diligent in his exercises when he came back to Benefis in costume with candy canes for the team that cared for him.

In his Santa role, Jim sees up to 2,000 kids a day during the holiday season. He’s part of the magic of the season for children at the mall, at daycares, at museums, and at Benefis, too, for bashful young visitors asking for hugs after his doctor’s visit.