NEWS
A Pianist’s Return to Music After a Life-Changing Wound
June 22, 2026
Through advanced care and compassionate support at Saint Peter’s Wound Care Center® and Hyperbaric Services, a local pianist reclaimed his life and music
New Brunswick, N.J. – June 22, 2026 – When a painful wound on the bottom of his foot threatened not only his health but also his passion for music, 67-year-old José Carrasquillo of North Brunswick feared the worst. A professional pianist and retired Newark public school teacher, Carrasquillo was suddenly forced to stop performing.
“I couldn’t walk, and I couldn’t play my gigs,” he recalled. “I thought I might lose my foot.”
What began as a plantar wart led to a serious diabetic foot wound. Despite multiple visits with his podiatrist, the wound would not heal. Eventually, Carrasquillo was referred to the Wound Care Center® and Hyperbaric Services at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, where a multidisciplinary team stepped in.
Under the care of Scott Rosen, MD, vascular surgeon and wound care specialist at Saint Peter’s, Carrasquillo underwent a series of treatments beginning in September 2024. These included debridements (a procedure that removes damaged tissue), right femoral bypass surgery, a skin graft, and a toe amputation.
“José had a very complex wound that required multiple medical approaches. It was a long process, but he remained positive and compliant with everything we asked him to do, which made all the difference,” said Dr. Rosen.
Healing with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
A major turning point came when Carrasquillo was prescribed hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Over 40 weekday sessions, he spent two hours at a time in the hyperbaric chamber.
During HBOT, patients breathe pure oxygen while inside a pressurized chamber. Breathing oxygen at a higher pressure increases the amount of oxygen that dissolves more deeply into the blood plasma and bloodstream, thereby promoting the growth of new blood vessels and the formation of collagen. Circulation is increased, aiding in the fight against infection. This therapy also stimulates the body’s natural healing process, making it particularly effective for stubborn, non-healing wounds which are common in people with diabetes.
“At first, I was nervous about entering the chamber,” said Carrasquillo. “But I soon began to look forward to the visits and could feel myself getting better.”
Throughout his care, Carrasquillo formed close connections with the wound care team. Chatting with Saint Peter’s clinicians became part of his weekly routine. He remembers the compassion, humor, and encouragement that helped him through painful dressing changes and difficult recoveries.
“The team works together like a family,” Carrasquillo said. “Everyone, from the doctors and nurses to the front desk staff, played a part. They gave me hope at a time when I was bedridden and discouraged.”
By July 2025, nearly a year after his first surgery, Carrasquillo was officially discharged from HBOT as his wound had fully healed.
“Watching José heal was one of those experiences that stays with you. When he first arrived, you could tell he was carrying a heavy burden. Not being able to play the piano clearly took a toll on him,” said Tracey Juba, NREMT, NJEMT, CHT, a hyperbaric technologist at Saint Peter’s Wound Care Center who cared for Carrasquillo as he was undergoing HBOT. “Seeing him heal, regain his strength, and light up when he talked about the prospect of performing again reminded us why this work is so meaningful.”
Strength in Spirit
Carrasquillo’s Catholic faith was a source of hope when he felt discouraged. While bedridden, he received weekly visits from Reverend Michael Tabernero from Saint Peter’s Catholic Church in New Brunswick, who brought him communion. Friends and fellow parishioners prayed for him, moments Carrasquillo describes as miraculous.
“Three days after one prayer visit, I was able to walk without a cane,” Carrasquillo said. “My wife even told me my face looked different, like I was glowing. I truly believe God had a hand in my healing.”
Family was also central to his recovery. His wife, Patricia, and three sons, Alexander, Stephen, and José Jr., stood by his side. When he was unable to walk, his sons helped carry equipment to his gigs so he could still perform while using a knee scooter.
“We could all see how José’s faith and his family’s support gave him the strength to keep going, even when days were tough. His HBOT sessions required a significant time commitment, but he was determined to heal,” said Nona Juan, BSN, RNC, a clinical coordinator at Saint Peter’s Wound Care Center who cared for Carrasquillo. “Our whole team feels honored to be a part of his journey.”
A Second Act
Now healed, Carrasquillo has returned to the piano. He is performing in Philadelphia, New York, Niagara Falls, and beyond, sometimes sharing the stage with his sons Stephen and José Jr., who both play the trumpet.
For patients facing long, difficult recoveries, Carrasquillo offers reassurance.
“There were moments I was afraid, but Dr. Rosen saved my leg, and the nurses cared for me with such kindness. Saint Peter’s gave me back my life,” he said. “It’s like a miracle. I went from being bedridden to walking. I thought I would never play the piano again, but here I am performing in big cities.”
“Healing diabetic wounds takes patience, persistence, and teamwork. With the right care and a committed patient like José, we can accomplish a lot,” Dr. Rosen said.
Nationally Recognized for Excellence
Saint Peter’s Wound Care Center® and Hyperbaric Services in New Brunswick and Monroe Township have received multiple national recognitions for excellence in patient care and clinical outcomes, including the 2025 Healogics Robert A. Warriner III Clinical Excellence Award. This honor is awarded to top-performing wound care centers nationwide for exceptional healing outcomes, patient satisfaction, and clinical performance. In addition, both centers received the 2025 Healogics Center of Distinction Award, recognizing programs that consistently achieve superior patient outcomes over an extended period. Healogics is the nation’s largest provider of advanced wound care services and partners with hospitals and healthcare systems across the country to support specialized wound healing programs.
The program has also achieved its fourth reaccreditation from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society (UHMS). UHMS accreditation is considered the gold standard for hyperbaric medicine programs and signifies adherence to the highest standards of patient safety, clinical quality, and operational excellence.
To schedule an appointment at The Wound Care Center® and Hyperbaric Services at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in its New Brunswick location, call 732.846.6199. To schedule an appointment at its Monroe location, call 609.860.0008.
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About Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Saint Peter’s University Hospital, a member of Saint Peter’s Healthcare System, is a 478-bed acute-care teaching hospital sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen. Saint Peter’s, which received its seventh consecutive designation as a Magnet® hospital for nursing excellence from the American Nurses Credentialing Center in 2025, and its first Magnet with Distinction®, is also a state-designated children’s hospital and regional perinatal center, and a regional specialist in diabetes, gastroenterology, oncology, women’s services, pediatric surgery and pediatric cardiology/Fetal and Adult Congenital Heart Center. Saint Peter’s is the recipient of the Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses for the adult intensive care, neonatal intensive care, cardiac progressive care, and pediatric intensive care units. Saint Peter’s Children’s Hospital provides families with access to a full range of pediatric specialties, including a nationally recognized Level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, pediatric cardiology, pediatric intensive care, pediatric surgery and orthopedic surgery featuring innovative anterior scoliosis correction. The hospital has the state’s only hospital-based, midwifery-led birth center – the Mary V. O’Shea Birth Center, accredited by the Commission for the Accreditation of Birth Centers. Saint Peter’s is a sponsor of residency programs in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and internal medicine, and is a major clinical affiliate of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. Visit saintpetershcs.com or call 732.745.8600.