Patient Stories

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 […]

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.

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’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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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

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’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 […]

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. […]