Patient Stories

Rollie chose reverse shoulder replacement to get his quality of life back

For the first time in years, Rollie Dunbar can raise his left arm above his head. He can move the arm with no pain and none of the weakness he once felt in his shoulder. He can do the things he loves to do, like rebuilding a 1948 Chrysler Coupe, pain-free.

Total hip arthroplasty has Paula singing again

Paula O’Brien back on stage in December 2018.
For 46-year-old Paula O’Brien, being on stage wasn’t just a hobby, it had once been a career. Her first professional theatre role was at age 11, and her love of performing developed from there. But once she turned 40, degenerative hip disease limited her life considerably.

Parent Blog: Stacey Regennitter

Regennitter fraternal quadruplets, photo
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University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital
Noelle, Jakob, Jarred and Rebeckah were born at 30 weeks gestation and are now 14 years old.

Parent Blog: Megan Runde

Libby Runde, photo
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University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital
"I was transferred to University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics for preterm labor. Libby was delivered by emergency C-section at 26 weeks and had a blood transfusion on her first day of life." – Megan

‘Grateful and blessed family’ credits IVF team

The Rich family
“From time to time, I hear a story of a couple who were able to have a baby because of the work of Dr. Van Voorhis,” says Elizabeth Rich. “Every time, it takes me back to our story and I feel so grateful.”

Jonathan’s meniscus transplant story

Whether he’s on a bike ride or just walking to class at Southeastern Community College each day, Jonathan Gavin appreciates the precious gift that allows him to do those things pain-free.

Expert spine care helped Gretchen get back to RAGBRAI

Gretchen McLain of Stockport, Iowa, was looking forward to riding RAGBRAI in 2017, but four days before the event, a devastating spine injury put her bike-riding plans on hold indefinitely—but not for nearly as long as you might think. Gretchen was working on her farm in July 2017 when a couple of...

Fast cardiology scheduling leads to quick diagnosis and treatment

Curt Roesler
With shortness of breath and periodic chest pain, this Iowa City man wasn't ready to wait three months to see his cardiologist. He called the UI Heart and Vascular Center and was seen the next day.

Robotic surgery now an option for myasthenia patients needing thymectomy

Brooklyn Wexell speaks with her physician
Brooklyn Wexell, a 23-year-old teacher from Cambridge, Illinois, didn’t want to have surgery. But when Evgeny Arshava, MD, FACS, a cardiothoracic surgeon at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, told her he could perform the potentially life-changing surgery through very small incisions in her chest using a robot – which would minimize both pain levels and scarring – she changed her mind.

First in Iowa to implant third-generation heart device

heart patient in clinic with doctor
Using a recently approved update to a device called a MitraClip, surgeons at University of Iowa Heart and Vascular Center repaired the heart of an 82 year old who was a poor candidate for traditional repair of a leaky mitral valve.

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