Patient Testimonials
WakeMed employees, physicians and volunteers are all unique, talented and contribute so much to our community every day.
If you have a story to share simply complete the form to share your experience or email your story to share@wakemed.org and we will contact you directly if additional information is needed.
Stories From the Blog
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February 20, 2025
Living with Purpose in the Third Phase of Life: Dave Cottengim, WakeMed Volunteer
Dave Cottengim has been a faithful WakeMed volunteer for more than a decade."I desired to give back after...
Author: WakeMed Rehab & Physical Therapy
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February 18, 2025
Born with a Broken Heart: Kevin Hornaday's Open Heart Surgery Story
Kevin Hornaday knows a lot about matters of the heart — since he's dealt with them all his life. His he...
Author: WakeMed Heart & Vascular
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February 3, 2025
Dead 3 Times: Tracy Peebles' Cardiac Story
On December 23, 2024, just two days prior to Christmas, Tracy Peebles was home with her ten-year-old daug...
Author: WakeMed Heart & Vascular
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January 31, 2025
Marcus Bowser on Recovering from a Motorcycle Collision
Riding motorcycles has been a lifelong passion for Marcus Bowser. The community of people he's met with s...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
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January 14, 2025
A Freak Accident, a 2-Month Hospitalization and a Grateful Patient: Kelly Flis' Story
Forget about freaky Friday. How about freaky Thursday? On January 26, 2023, near the end of her workday, ...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
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December 31, 2024
De'Von Thomas: Back in the Line of Scrimmage with Dr. Jonathan Chappell
De'Von Thomas started playing football in fifth grade. At 11 years old, his robust build and competitive ...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
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December 26, 2024
"Meeting Dr. Vining Changed My Life" — Edwin Gillen's Story
Some people come into our lives for a season. Others are there for a lifetime and still others appear bri...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
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December 19, 2024
Inner Peace – Pass It On
What started as a personal pursuit for finding peace and comfort during a difficult time inspired a WakeM...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
December 17, 2024
Thriving After Emergency Open Heart Surgery with Dr. Trevor Upham — Travis Mayo's Story
Travis Mayo began his career in the fire department, where he frequently provided assistance during medic...
Author: WakeMed Heart & Vascular
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November 1, 2024
Defying the Odds: Baby Oliver's 130 Days in the NICU
Maddie and her husband, Craig, were elated to learn they were pregnant with their first child. At around ...
Author: WakeMed Children's Hospital
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October 31, 2024
Alex Wilkinson: Tenacity of a Tiger in the Face of 3 ACL Surgeries
Alex Wilkinson is a born winner — with the tenacity of a tiger. Despite multiple injuries, athletic set...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
October 31, 2024
Life-saving Science: Chris Williams' Lung Cancer Story
In May 2022, Chris Williams retired from a rewarding career in the animal health industry where he helped...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
"Meeting Dr. Vining Changed My Life" — Edwin Gillen's Story
Some people come into our lives for a season. Others are there for a lifetime and still others appear bri...
"My Daughter Recognized My Stroke Symptoms. It Saved My Life."
Holly Springs residents, Grant Jacobs and his wife, welcomed their daughter and her fiancé who were in t...
"Thought it was the flu, but my PC knew it was a heart attack" - Steve Swayne's Story
Steve Swayne is committed to living healthfully. He believes a long life of energy and vitality requires ...
13 Days to Diagnosis: Jeremy Evans' Lymphoma Story
When Jeremy Evans looked in the mirror, he liked what he saw. At 34 years old, he'd achieved just the loo...
139 Pounds Down and Counting — Kristina Plane's Duodenal Switch Story
Losing weight is tough and the busier life is — with work, family and more — the harder it is t...
160 Pounds Lighter and Feeling Great: Daryl Stuart's Duodenal Switch Story
Daryl Stuart has dreams of one day walking his daughter down the aisle for her wedding. Suffering years o...
3 Firsts for WakeMed Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery A Pediatric Burn Story
On Saturday, August 27, 2022, Moesha, her partner and their two children were involved in a traffic accident. Immediately after the crash, Moesha and her partner jumped out of the vehicle to check on the children. Moesha’s daughter was fine, but their son, Gonnie, was nowhere to be found. Gonnie’s door was ripped off with […]
600 Ounces and Counting — Why Sarah Dugger Gives to the WakeMed Mothers' Milk Bank
Giving is good for the soul. In fact, there is scientific evidence that altruistic people receive pleasure from being generous. This is certainly the case with Sarah Dugger, PhD, a wife, mother of two and clinical genomic scientist. Her life’s work is dedicated to giving help and hope to people with medical conditions to improve […]
A Bug Bite Like No Other — Raven McCrindle's Battle with Testicular Cancer
On an unseasonably warm North Carolina day, Raven McCrindle went outside to do some yard work. Days of sunshine and spring-like temperatures had caused the grass to awaken from dormancy. Raven says, “While I was outside mowing the lawn, a bug bit me on my inner thigh.” A Life-Saving Bug Bite Before long, the bug […]
A Chest Wall Success Story: Summer Pope's Amazing Return to Sports
Summer has always been athletic. She loves to stay active and participate in sports, including gymnastics...
A Freak Accident, a 2-Month Hospitalization and a Grateful Patient: Kelly Flis' Story
Forget about freaky Friday. How about freaky Thursday? On January 26, 2023, near the end of her workday, ...
A Healing Journey at WakeMed Childrens
Twice a week, Jack Montgomery drives himself to WakeMed for outpatient therapy. He’s pretty proud of that because not that long ago, there was a lot of uncertainty about his future mobility and independence after a frightening car accident in June 2021 left him with a spinal cord injury, concussion and broken clavicle. It was […]
Videos
Micah - A WakeMed Patient Story
John - A WakeMed Patient Story
Daniel - A WakeMed Patient Story
Johnny - A WakeMed Patient Story
Everleigh - A WakeMed Patient Story
Preston - A WakeMed Patient Story