SNI Patient Stories
Michelle
Moyamoya Disease
Read Dr. Monteith's profile
Read Dr. Patel's profile
Learn more about the MoyaMoya program
Brianne Cassidy
Stroke
The last thing 24-year old Brianne Cassidy had on her mind was the possibility of having a stroke. But that’s exactly what happened after she took a particularly hard hit on the water in a tubing mishap. A team of neuroscience specialists, including Drs. Tom Kushner, Yince Loh and Stephen Monteith successfully employed a combination of clot-busting drugs and medical devices to remove the clot, averting what could’ve been a very bad outcome.
Listen to Brianne’s story
Read Dr. Loh’s bio
Read Dr. Monteith’s bio
Learn more about the TeleStroke program
Shirley Cogswell
Spine Surgery: Meningioma
As an avid 75-year-old tennis player, Shirley was amazed when sudden sharp pain in her back turned out to be a benign spine tumor. In a painstaking 7-hour surgery, Dr. Rod Oskouian literally did take the pain away.
Listen to Shirley’s story
Read Dr. Oskouian’s bio
Learn more about spine tumor treatment at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute
Brian Nelson
Brain Tumor: Glioblastoma
Just before his 50th birthday, a trip to the ER led to the discovery of a brain tumor. After two surgeries, Dr. Charles Cobbs recommended experimental treatment of an anti-viral drug — and it’s working.
Listen to Brian’s story
Read Dr. Cobbs’s bio
Learn more about the Ivy Center and the treatment of brain tumors at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute
David Erickson
Epilepsy
After a lifetime of debilitating epileptic seizures and mostly ineffective medications, David met with Dr. Michael Doherty, who made a surprising recommendation: brain surgery. Four years later, David is seizure-free.
Listen to David’s story
Watch a video of David’s Story
Read Dr. Doherty’s bio
Learn more about epilepsy treatment at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute
Kippen Westphal
Brain Tumor: Meningioma
Kippen’s benign tumor had been removed at another hospital years ago in a 10-hour surgery. When it came back, she stayed out of the OR and saw Dr. Sandra Vermeulen, and received a series of brief, painless CyberKnife treatments instead.
Watch Kippen’s story
Read Dr. Vermeulen’s bio
Learn more about CyberKnife radiosurgery at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute
Helen Donnelly Goehring
Subdural Hematoma
After traveling around Rome, Assisi and New York, Helen Donnelly Goehring was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma. Before her surgery, the anesthesiologist wrapped her hand with gauze so she could keep her rosary, that had just been blessed by Pope Francis, with her through the surgery. Thanks to her neurosurgical team, Helen came through with flying colors.
Read Helen's story