We have considered Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center our "home away from home" since 2002 when my husband was treated for an acute dissecting thoracic aneurysm that left him paraplegic. In 2013, our son-in-law, a surgical resident, was taking his boards while his father was dying, but he contacted his mentor, Dr. Joe Hines, to arrange a consult for my husband, who had just been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Dr. Hines saw him immediately and scheduled him for a successful distal pancreatectomy. In 2016, we had moved to Hawaii with our daughter and son-in-law and two grandsons, when my husband was diagnosed with a second primary tumor in the pancreas. Once again, Dr. Hines performed a successful surgery and a Whipple procedure. My husband has had no recurrence of pancreatic cancer to date, no chemotherapy, and no radiation. I am sure he would not be enjoying life today were it not for the wonderful doctors and staff at UCLA. At the top of our list is Dr. Joe Hines (and my son-in-law, one of your fine graduates).

Mahalo nui loa (Thank-you from the bottom of our hearts)

Tags: Doctors Day, Dr Joe Hines, pancreas, pancreatectomy, pancreatic surgery, patient stories, Patient Story, Uncategorized, Whipple procedure