Grateful Journeys: Ronnie Barton

An ordinary Sunday changes in an instant

It began as a routine Sunday at the Barton residence. Ronnie was in the arena roping cattle with his nephew while his wife, Karyn, was at the house finishing her Bible study.

They had finished roping two cattle and moved on to another when Ronnie missed his dally and caught his thumb between the rope and saddle horn. In an instant, his thumb was completely severed inside his roping glove.

Karyn remembers seeing their nephew ride toward the house looking for ice, with Ronnie walking behind him.

Ronnie and Karyn immediately went to the Emergency Department at Adventist Health Twin Cities. Familiar with the seriousness of the injury, Ronnie asked whether there was any chance his thumb could be reattached. At first, the answer was uncertain.

Orthopedic Surgeon Benjamin Bengs, MD, was called to evaluate the injury. After assessing Ronnie, he believed reattachment was possible.

Ronnie remembers the calm confidence Dr. Bengs brought into the room. When Dr. Bengs explained that he believed he could reattach the thumb, Ronnie did not hesitate.

“As long as you can put it on facing the right way, let’s go for it,” Ronnie joked.

Having just completed another procedure, Dr. Bengs stepped in without delay. Supported by a coordinated team of nurses and staff, he performed the complex surgery.

“When I woke up, I could feel my thumb again,” Ronnie said. “If it wasn’t for Dr. Bengs, I wouldn’t have my thumb today.”

Care beyond the operating room

Ronnie’s recovery involved far more than the procedure itself.

Before surgery, nurse Kari worked closely with him and helped prepare him for what was ahead. Ronnie remembers her asking whether he preferred morning or evening follow-up appointments.

“I told her it didn’t matter because I couldn’t rope anymore,” Ronnie recalled.

That moment stayed with him.

“Kari listened, stayed present and continued to walk me through what the next steps would look like. Her care and encouragement helped shift my focus from what I might have lost to the possibility of moving forward.”

Later, nurse Mimi became Ronnie’s primary point of contact and helped guide him through recovery.

“We bonded over our shared love of horses,” Ronnie said. “Having that connection made a difference during a difficult time.”

Three months after the accident, Ronnie was able to rope again.

“Because of the care I received from the incredible staff in the clinic, I was able to get back to doing what I love,” he said. “I still have my thumb and a renewed appreciation for the care available right here in our community.”

A team effort

Dr. Bengs is quick to credit the team around him. While procedures like Ronnie’s rely on surgical expertise and advanced equipment, outcomes are also shaped by the nurses and staff who care for patients before, during and after surgery.

Their skill, encouragement and attention help patients navigate not only the physical demands of recovery, but also the fear and uncertainty that can accompany a serious injury.

“I’m incredibly grateful for Dr. Bengs, for Kari, for Mimi and for every nurse and staff member who played a role in my care,” Ronnie said. “Because of them, I still have my thumb and a deep appreciation for the care I received at Adventist Health Twin Cities.”

Ronnie and Karyn’s gratitude is a reminder of why care close to home matters. During an unexpected and frightening moment, a skilled local team was ready to act, guide and support them through every stage of recovery.