People determined to overcome illness. Compassionate caregivers and innovative educators and researchers dedicated to saving lives. Learn more about people who motivate us.
Dave Murphy
A horrific motorcycle accident left Dave Murphy with a severed spinal cord and a 1% chance of walking again. The slightest wiggle of a toe brought hope, then determination, months of persistent effort to regain his strength, balance and endurance, and his goal of completing a 5K. Surrounded by family and friends, he crossed the finish line. If he said he was going to run it next year, we wouldn't put it past him.
Jennifer Bardrof
Jennifer Bardrof ran a half-marathon and a few short months later was hospitalized with heart failure. She used every ounce of strength to recover and regain her stride.
"Running has always been my outlet and I set a goal of running the Buffalo Half Marathon because it was exactly one year from the day I was airlifted to Strong."
Luke Piazza and Alex Voglewede
High school soccer players Luke Piazza and Alex Voglewede were each diagnosed with cancer and beat the life-threatening diseases. They returned to the soccer field, after already achieving the biggest victory of their lives.
Raleigh Galbraith
Raleigh Galbraith was born four months early and received specialty care in the neonatal intensive care unit at Golisano Children's Hospital. She graduated from the University of Rochester School of Nursing and found her dream job: caring for infants facing incredible odds to survive, just like she did.
“Nursing to me is not only a career, but something I believe I was saved to do."
Drs. Seymour Schwartz and Marshall Lichtman
Drs. Seymour Schwartz and Marshall Lichtman each dedicated more than a half-century to improving surgical techniques and researching cures for blood cancers. Their contributions to the field of medicine changed how we receive care and saved countless lives.
Jake O'May
Young Jake O'May struggled with depression and considered suicide. He shared his experience during the announcement of construction of a new Pediatric Behavioral Health & Wellness Center, which will provide a much-needed home base for these services.
"With my journey, I realized that once you get out of the hospital, your journey is not over. You still have so much to work on, and it's only the beginning. The hospital is there to give you a foundation for you to start building off of things."
Dan Fabbio
It's unusual to hear the sweet sound of the saxophone during brain surgery. Dan Fabbio's ability to play his beloved instrument was the first sign that surgery to remove a brain tumor—a tremendous undetaking for a large team of neuromedicine and music experts—was a success.
Caregivers who responded to help the people of Puerto Rico.
More than a dozen UR Medicine caregivers volunteered to provide much-needed support to people of Puerto Rico who were left without power, homes and jobs after Hurricane Maria. They shared weeks of their time, living and working in tents, and returned to Rochester grateful for the experience. UR Medicine staff also collected 6,300 pounds of personal items for shipment to people in need.
Joe Hopper
Retired Greece police officer Joe Hopper's cancer diagnosis highlights the importance of a strong support system during health crises.
Kaleigh and Ron Wood
Ron Wood was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and a bone marrow transplant was the best option for a cure. There were no perfect matches. But his daughter, Kaleigh, was a 50% match, and that was just enough for him to participate in a life-saving clinical trial at our Wilmot Cancer Institute.
Credits:
Created with images by anttilipponen - "Hurricane Maria 2017 09 19" • Matt Wittmeyer • John Schilia