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  • Featured Story

    Fudge Family Acute Rehabilitation Center Patient Says Hoag Is ‘Living Out Their Hearts for Society’

    It was such a small stumble. Oscar Constandse and his buddies were at the tail end of a bachelor party in Cabo San Lucas. The hour was way, way too late, and Oscar tripped on his way to the cantina bathroom. That’s all he remembers about the accident. His friends told him later that he … Read More

  • Neuroscience

    After 72 Years of Seizures, Epilepsy Patient Says Hoag Gave Him His Life Back

    His seizures began at the age of 4. By the time Michael Merritt was 72, his epilepsy became so severe his wife was sure he was going to die. But in 2018, Michael’s doctors referred him to the Epilepsy Program at Hoag’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute, where he met Program Director David Millett, M.D., Ph.D. … Read More

  • Neuroscience

    How the Epilepsy Team’s Multidisciplinary Approach Restored a Family’s Smile

    From her family’s smiling faces, it’s hard to imagine that just months before this photo was taken, Katy Cohen (pictured above on the left) was ​in and out of the hospital and even placed in a medically induced coma​ because of a condition that was causing her to rapidly decline.  Katy’s youngest child was born at Hoag … Read More

  • Neuroscience

    Nurse ‘Navigates’ Her Father to Pain-Free Living

    When Charlotte Davis’s dad complained about his back, the Hoag Spine Center nurse navigator knew two things: 1. The pain must be really bad for her active father to mention it and 2. Burak Ozgur, M.D., would be able to help. “We were at dinner, and I told her I was scared to death of … Read More

  • Neuroscience

    Hoag Sends Stroke Patient on Road to Recovery

    “I was blessed to come to Hoag,” she said. “Dr. Baker has been so kind. He listened. He didn’t rush me. I appreciated that. All my doctors at Hoag have been really good.” In February 2019, Josie Smith started seeing double and developed an earache and toothache. She thought little of it but scheduled an … Read More

  • Neuroscience

    On Her Road to Recovery, April Met Someone She Really Liked … Herself

    April wanted to like herself. Finally. That desperate desire — along with a chance phone call her boss made to Hoag on her behalf — were the first steps that set April on her brave, inspiring, and ultimately successful road to recovery from alcohol and drug addiction that began when she was just 13. April’s … Read More

  • Neuroscience

    After a Lifetime of Scoliosis, Spine Surgery Patient Stands Tall

    “Dr. Jankowski really understands and promotes the philosophy of patient-centered care. His confidence is very reassuring,” she said. “I am extremely grateful to Dr. Jankowski and his medical assistant, Mileni Avalos for their outstanding patient care.”

  • Cancer

    Glioblastoma Patient to Hoag: ‘You Made My Year’

    “After a year, I sent Dr. Louis a thank you note,” Bernd said. “He told me I made his day. I told him, ‘You made my year.’”

  • Neuroscience

    Pain-Free and Grateful, Surgery Patient Hopes Her Story Helps Others

    “I’m blessed and Hoag’s blessed to have Dr. Ozgur,” Ann said. “He’s changed my life.”