Medical Miracles Stage Homecoming with Doctors Nurses to Kick Off 20th Anniversary Celebrations for LLUCH
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By: Herbert Atienza
Photo Courtesy of:
LLUCH
Photo Description:
Crystal and Cristina Molina, former conjoined twins, hold a cast of their heads before they were separated during surgery at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital. The twins, with their parents, Bernardo and Blanca, and their baby sister, Mariela, met with the twins’ former surgeons, Dr. Alexander Zouros and Dr. Andrea Ray.
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Pediatric patients who survived incredible odds reunited with their doctors, nurses, and other medical providers on Thursday, Nov. 7, to help kick off the 20th anniversary celebrations for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH).
An emotional and touching scene ensued as the former patients greeted their doctors and nurses and recalled the circumstances that led to their being treated at LLUCH.
The patients included:
* Crystal and Cristina Molina, 9, of Coachella, former conjoined twins who underwent extensive preoperative care and surgery at LLUCH to separate them from where they were joined at the head. The twins and their parents, Bernardo and Blanca, met with pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Alexander Zouros and plastic surgeon Dr. Andrea Ray.
* Adriana Gurrola, 27, of Redlands, a former cancer patient who was treated for Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was just 14. She was met by Jennifer Cruikshank, chief patient care director at LLUCH, who was staff nurse for Adriana when she was being treated. Adriana is now a nurse at LLUCH and credits some of the professionals at the hospital for inspiring her to pursue a career in health care.
* Hannah Grinnan, 15, of Redlands, a former heart transplant patient who received a new heart when she was only 11 days old. Hannah, now a cheerleader at Redlands High School, reunited with her transplant surgeon Dr. Leonard Bailey, infant heart transplant pioneer and surgeon-in-chief at LLUCH.
“I wish I could highlight the story of every patient who has walked through our doors, because every one of them has a unique and inspiring story,” said LLUCH Administrator Zareh Sarrafian, who welcomed the patients and their families.
“It has been a calling and a privilege to serve our community, and we look forward to the next 20 plus years of providing world class Christ-centered health care as we work together to make every man and child whole,” he said.
A free, public event featuring an outdoor showing of the movie “Homeward Bound,” games, and a fireworks finale, took place Sunday evening, Nov. 10, on the Loma Linda University Health lawn.