Contact: Lisa Deffendall • First Posted: Friday, November 17, 2006

Fayette County Public Schools Superintendent Stu Silberman, who was injured in a bicycling accident on Oct. 8, was readmitted today to the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital in preparation for surgery tomorrow morning.

Silberman, who had been recuperating at home since the first of the month, returned to the doctor today because of swelling in his leg. Doctors believe that there is likely an infection in the original incision from his first surgery to rebuild his hip.

During tomorrow’s surgery the wound will be reopened and any potentially infected areas will be cleaned and cultured.  Doctors will not know the extent of the possible infection until they can get in and see what’s going on, Silberman said.

“This is precautionary,” Silberman said. “They want to make sure they take all precautions and I appreciate the thorough care I’m receiving at UK. Healing is a journey, and this is just a part of the process. While I’m focused on recovering, I appreciate all that the staff and students of the Fayette County Public Schools are doing to keep the focus on teaching and learning. I miss everyone dearly and can’t wait to be back out in the schools among the kids.”

Silberman, an avid cyclist, broke his pelvis and collarbone in a bicycling accident on Huffman Mill Pike on October 8.  His injuries were more extensive than would be expected from a bike accident, but Silberman was wearing a helmet and suffered no head trauma. He underwent a five hour surgery the day after his wreck and a second surgery on Oct. 19 to flush the wound, which was not healing as expected. He spent slightly more than two weeks at the University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital and seven days at Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Center.

Mary Browning, the district’s Chief Operating Officer, and Lisa Stone, an Elementary Director with the district, are filling in for the superintendent while he’s in the hospital. Matters needing the attention of the superintendent should be directed to his office. Get well wishes can be sent to Silberman at the hospital or on-line at www.fcps.net/feedback/stu/.