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
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
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
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
October 1, 2024
Laughing Without Fear of the Future: Laura Faw's Breast Cancer Story
"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." (Proverbs 31:25) L...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
October 1, 2024
Apex Emergency Department Teams Up with Telestroke for Brain-Saving Care: Marcia Gave's Story
July 20, 2024, was a typical Saturday with lots of chores. Around 8:10 am, Marcia Gave was doing laundry ...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
September 26, 2024
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...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
September 19, 2024
The Ties that Bind: Retired Rehab Manager Skip Roy Revitalizes Peer Support Volunteer Program
With more than 50 years of dedicated service to WakeMed, Skip Roy is a treasured member of the local heal...
Author: WakeMed Rehab & Physical Therapy
September 18, 2024
Aging in Place: Al Urzi and Sarah Susanka on Life after Stroke
According to the Stroke Foundation, "Fifteen million people worldwide are affected by stroke. Of those, a...
Author: WakeMed Rehab & Physical Therapy
September 6, 2024
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...
Author: WakeMed Children's Hospital
September 4, 2024
The Beat Goes On: Doug Genzlinger Celebrates WakeMed's Heart for Heart Care
Heart problems can be subtle, and for Doug Genzlinger, who rarely visited his doctor, it took a pretty si...
Author: WakeMed Heart & Vascular
August 9, 2024
Moms Helping Moms: Lakelia Stanley's Milk Bank Donation Story
Lakelia Stanley is a Chief Probation/Parole Officer for the Adult Corrections Facility in Wake County. As...
Author: WakeMed Health & Hospitals
"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 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 […]
A Legacy of Heartfelt Care: Dr Jimmy Locklear's Dedicated Service Through the Years
Jimmy Locklear, MD, FACC, launched his medical career in 1985 and has since been a beacon for compassionate patient care. Board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular diseases, Dr. Locklear has been a part of the Medical Staff at WakeMed his entire career. He joined WakeMed Heart & Vascular full-time after more than two decades […]
A New Beginning After Bariatric Surgery Jamie Michaels Story
Obesity impacted every aspect of Jamie Michael’s life, from numerous health issues to isolation from loved ones. Eventually, with the help of his primary care provider, Marie Debnam, MD, Jamie determined that medical intervention was no longer an option; it was necessary. So, on January 15, 2021, Jamie underwent gastric bypass surgery. “I decided to […]
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