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doctor preforming surgery

Real stories of health, confidence after bariatric surgery at UTMB Health

May 12, 2025 • 1:01 p.m. Source: May 12, 2025 by Chloe Chapel, Community Impact

For Patients of the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB Health) Bariatric Surgery Program, Weight Loss is Only Part of the Story Bariatric Surgery Program, Weight Loss is Only Part of the Story. With the expert care of surgeons such as Dr. Sarah Samreen and Dr. Lauren McTaggart, patients of the program are not only losing weight but also reclaiming their lives.

UTMB patient Felicity Cunningham riding an electric bicycle next to her teenage son

Doctor’s Orders: Get educated, get support when you’re on a weight-loss journey

October 23, 2024 • 4:59 p.m.

A yo-yo dieter for many years, Felicity Cunningham shares her journey as a bariatric patient. “My main message to everyone is that surgery is a wonderful tool, but you still must make the choices and the commitment. And you’ll get all the help you need at UTMB.”

smiling caucasian male with mustache. his hair and mustache are light gray and he i wearing glasses - in the background is an office setting

Understanding male breast cancer: insights from a survivor and an expert

October 21, 2024 • 7:46 a.m. by Community Impact Storytelling team

Bill Garwood, a male breast cancer survivor, and his surgical oncologist Dr. Colleen Silva share insights on the disease that impacts approximately one in 1,000 men.

banner image that has a bullhorn with breast health ribbons and icons and a round photo from with a pink border - inside is a smiling black woman wearing a pink dress. the words "Think Pink" are written in the top left corner

‘Don't let your non-insured status stop you from getting checked--UTMB will help.’

October 15, 2024 • 12:00 a.m.

Ella Thibodeaux skipped her mammogram one year, the next year she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

"Think Pink" banner image with a bull horn blowing pink breast cancer ribbons and other icons in the direction of a round, pink photo frame that has a headshot of a caucasian, smiling man who is wearing glasses and a tie

Men aren't immune to breast cancer

October 14, 2024 • 12:00 a.m.

Bill Garwood, a breast cancer survivor, shares his story of the diagnosis he never saw coming.

Wanda Stovall with husband and Dr Jneid

Serious artery blockages kept active 88-year-old from enjoying life

July 25, 2024 • 11:38 a.m.

“We went to see Dr. Hani Jneid at UTMB and it was the best thing we could have possibly done,” said 88-year-old Wanda Stovall who went from an active life to not being able to get off the couch after she started having an abnormal heart rhythm. Jneid and the team at UTMB were able to get her back on her feet.

black female care provider wearing a yellow shirt is using a stethoscope on a young, male pediatric patient wearing a black shirt. She is listening to his heart in a clinic room with open windows behind them. Trees are visible through the windows

Top-notch pediatric kidney care drives Katy family to Clear Lake

February 23, 2024 • 12:48 a.m.

Facing a rare kidney disorder, five-year-old Olin Lewis and his family rely on the UTMB Health pediatric nephrology team to keep him healthy so he can focus on things like mastering his flag football game.

pink "think pink" banner image that features a bright pink breast cancer awareness ribbon and a round photo frame with a headshot image of black, bald, smiling woman wearing a light pink breast cancer shirt

On the other side of care — a nurse's journey with breast cancer

October 28, 2023 • 12:00 a.m. by Jessica Wyble

A nurse for more than two decades, Cleo Glover had to adjust to being the one needing the care during her ongoing battle with breast cancer.

graphic image of featuring a circle frame with headshot of UTMB Breast Health patient Matilda Pettis. The banner features the words "Think Pink" which is the name of a publication in which Matilda's story was featured

Learning to trust the process

October 27, 2023 • 6:23 a.m. by Jessica Wyble

Facing her second battle with breast cancer, Matilda Pettis is thankful to have the UTMB Breast Health team by her side through her journey.

pink "think pink" banner image that features a bright pink breast cancer awareness ribbon and a round photo frame with a headshot image of dark-haired, smiling woman wearing hoop earrings

Community came together for breast cancer patient

October 25, 2023 • 4:34 p.m. by Jessica Wyble

When Stephanie Sanchez was diagnosed with breast cancer, the UTMB Breast Health team and the community around her showed up in a big way.

Headshot Image of smiling black woman wearing glasses and a headband

UTMB heals patient; gains a grateful team member

October 2, 2023 • 11:34 a.m.

Nearly two years after a head-on collision forced her to learn how to walk again, Tara Williams is able to help other UTMB patients as a patient service specialist in Angleton. “I’m so grateful to be here with UTMB,”

Image of UTMB Health women's health, orthopedics & genetics patient Audrey Solomon, sitting on a bench, wearing glasses & a mauve-colored knit sweater, holding 18-month-old daughter Maisie Solomon. She has on a pink-colored knit sweater both are smiling

Sense of community comforted new mom

September 14, 2023 • 5:12 p.m.

When a lifelong UTMB patient with a rare genetic condition found out she was pregnant, she knew exactly where to go to get the care she could trust for her and her daughter-on-the-way. Nearly two years later, both mom and daughter continue to see UTMB Health specialists and they are healthy and thriving.

image of Priest Simpson sharing a thumbs up while playing football wearing Riddell helmet

Student athlete healed by UTMB Sports Medicine team

August 31, 2023 • 4:32 p.m.

When student athlete Priest Simpson injured his leg, the UTMB Health Sports Medicine team worked hard to repair the damage and get him back on the field after a full recovery.

image of female UTMB Health patient wearing all black and standing by "Greetings from Kemah" sign

Deep Brain Stimulation changes life for woman with tremors

May 1, 2023 • 10:00 a.m.

Reba Smith-Weeden has a condition called essential tremor that prevented her from carving the Thanksgiving turkey or enjoying a cup of coffee. But thanks to the UTMB Health Neurosciences team and Deep Brain Stimulation the shaking has stopped.

Xray image of jaw

UTMB Health treats patients like family during ‘Jaw in a Day’ reconstructions

March 23, 2023 • 1:43 p.m. by Holly Galvan Posey with Community Impact's Storytelling team

When undergoing jaw reconstruction at the hands of experts like Dr. Hisham Marwan, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, patients can receive a new "jaw in a day."

side by side image of before and after of Lauren Burkhalter UTMB Health Bariatrics patient

More than a number on the scale: Lives transformed by bariatric surgery at UTMB Health

February 28, 2023 • 3:32 p.m. by Holly Galvan with Community Impact's Storytelling team

UTMB Health Bariatrics patient Lauren Burkhalter credits weight loss surgery with helping her live her best life.

Pamela French: Think Pink

'People I hardly knew stepped up'

October 30, 2022 • 9:59 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner

Inspired by a friend's battle with cancer, Pamela French decided she wasn't going to be the "sick girl" when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Even when it tried to take everything she had, she fought back and kept it from taking her life.

image of Breast Cancer Survivor Kristin Ozuna that links to the feature on her in the Daily News Think Pink Special Section that's sponsored by UTMB Health

'Trust yourself'

October 28, 2022 • 10:00 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner

When a doctor told Kristin Ozuna she was too young for cancer, she trusted her body and her gut until she found her way to UTMB and got the diagnosis - and care - she needed.

Close up of hand holding a tattoo machine

Closing the loop on breast cancer

October 28, 2022 • 12:00 a.m. by Jill Resendez and Houston Moms

UTMB Health nurse practitioner Jill Resendez helps patients close the loop on breast cancer, one strategically placed tattoo at a time. She and her former patient Tina Herring joined Meagan Clanahan of Houston Moms for a recent chat where Herring shared her personal story and how reconstruction helped in her healing process as a cancer survivor.

image of Breast Cancer Survivor Tina Herring that links to the feature on her in the Daily News Think Pink Special Section that's sponsored by UTMB Health

'Every day you have to choose to live'

October 26, 2022 • 10:00 a.m. by Margaret Battistelli Gardner

Diagnosed with cancer during COVID, Tina Herring wants women to remember that breast cancer isn't a death sentence.

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