Patient stories

Rachel's volunteer work with her son's speech and debate team at Syracuse High School shows how small acts of service can create big opportunities. Through HCA Healthcare's volunteer grant program, her time helped unlock funding that allowed students to compete, grow, and access experiences they otherwise wouldn't have had.

Debra Hersom was one of the first in the U.S. to undergo an abdominoperineal resection (APR) using a single-port (SP) robotic surgical system. It took place at St. Mark's Hospital in September 2025. The new approach dramatically decreased her post-surgical healing time, pain, and risk of infection.

Learn how one patient found answers, relief, and a path forward.

At 18 weeks pregnant, Emily Ketchum received leading-edge surgery to remove head and neck cancer at St. Mark's Hospital. There, she received expert maternity support before, during and afterward.

Eight-year-old Nash Taylor’s first tackle on the football field birthed dreams of playing under Friday night lights – and those dreams came true. As a motivated and talented athlete,

Michael's dedication to his active lifestyle led him to research specialized surgeons and hip replacement techniques.

75-year old Dan Heiner just didn't feel his normal self anymore. He actively engaged in life but was frequently tired and out of breath.

He had crossed 67 marathon finish lines, but now Carlos struggled to make the steps up to his home. That was until he had a total hip replacement at St. Mark's Hospital.

Alyssa and her husband, Stephen, live in Elko, Nevada, but after complications with her pregnancy, she turned to the maternal-fetal medicine team at St. Mark's Hospital.

“I’ve been going to the Center Monday through Friday for 143 days so far,” Brenda said. “They encourage me, they make me feel better, and they give me hope.”