Patient Stories

Patient Sandra Holquin sitting in a chair and smiling.

Sandra’s Story

March 14, 2019

Sandra Holquin suffered from chronic pain throughout most of her life. “I couldn’t walk or even do household chores,” she told us during a recent visit. “Epidural and steroid injections would help, but the pain would always come back.” During an appointment at the pain clinic, she was referred to Alexander M. Papanastassiou, M.D., who […]



The Neurocritical Care Team posing for a holiday photo with big smiles and funny hats.

Thank you!

January 7, 2019

The Department of Neurosurgery would like to recognize the wonderful doctors, nurses, and staff that worked so hard taking care of patients in the Neuro ICU over the holidays.



Patient Gustavo Macharro lying in a hospital bed while his wife stands by his side.

Gustavo Macharro’s Story

July 31, 2018

After Gustavo Macharro was found down and unconscious at work, he was immediately brought to University Hospital for advanced neurosurgical and trauma care. He was brought to UHS where he was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma and severe TBI and was emergently operated on by Dr. Koebbe and admitted to the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit […]



Carolyn Taylor sitting in a hospital bed and smiling. She is surrounded by machines and hospital equipment.

Carolyn’s Story

July 5, 2018

Carolyn Taylor began having a sharp pain in her head during a workout. She was unable to move and started to vomit. “I was rushed to the ER near my house,” she told us. “There were no neurosurgeons in Corpus Christi that could handle my case, but the pain was very bad. We were rushed […]



Cranial Remolding Clinical Director Darren Poidevin smiles while holding patient Adley Stubbs. Darren is flanked by Adeley's smiling parents.

Adley’s Post

June 22, 2018

We recently had the opportunity to speak with Adley Stubbs’ family during her final appointment with the Cranial Remolding Program.was diagnosed with metopic craniosynostosis and is now finished with her treatment. We asked Adley’s mother, Emiley Stubbs, about what the family’s experience was like during the cranial remolding process. “At first we were super nervous. […]



Cranial Remolding Clinical Director Darren Poidevin smiling while standing next to Patient Hudson Lockhart and his parents.

Hudson’s Story

June 14, 2018

Hudson Lockhart recently completed his cranial remolding treatment for sagittal craniosynostosis. We were able to catch up with his family to ask about their experience. “We always said before we all started that this was one of the scariest things in the world,” Hudson’s father told us. “But looking back at all the people we […]



Dr. Lee Birnbaum clicks on a mouse while two onlookers study his computer screen.

KSAT 12 Stroke Month Video

May 31, 2018

Lee Birnbaum, M.D., was recently featured in a KSAT 12 video about Stroke Awareness Month. The report highlights the story of his patient, Patty Reagan, who was able to receive quick treatment for her stroke and make a full recovery.   Watch the video here  



Dr. Izabela Tarasiewicz and Ashlyn smiling during and clinic visit while they both throw peace signs at the camera.

Ashlyn’s Story

April 4, 2018

Earlier this year, Ashlyn Rivera got into an accident that was so severe she had to be airlifted from her home in Laredo to UHS, where she was rushed into surgery. During her stay, Izabela Tarasiewicz, M.D., and the team at the Department of Neurosurgery performed four major life-saving surgeries. Ashlyn stayed in the pediatric […]



Alan Cirlin sitting in a chair and smiling with his hands interlaced.

Alan Cirlin’s story

March 29, 2018

Alan Cirlin suffered from severe Parkinson’s disease for many years. He couldn’t do simple things like cooking and getting himself dressed. It got to be so bad that he was confined to a wheelchair. “I kept falling over,” he said. “I was like a kid.” Alan started attending a Parkinson’s Support group. It was there […]



Stent diagram. It looks like a serpentine curve of wired mesh.

Stryker Neurovascular Atlas Stent.

March 15, 2018

Dr. Ramesh Grandhi from UT Health Neurosurgery San Antonio was the first physician in San Antonio/Central Texas, and one of the first in the country, to use the @StrykerNV Atlas Stent. The Atlas Stent can be delivered through a smaller catheter which makes it able to access smaller vessels in difficult areas of the brain. […]