Patient Stories

Share your story

Do you have a story you'd like to share about your experience as a patient at Spectrum Health?

Patient Story

A journey re-imagined

Jacquie Karr-Zlotnicki's health journey has seen its share of ups and downs. She weathered it all through a renewed focus on all aspects of self—mind, spirit and body.

Patient Story

From the flu to 50 days in the ICU

After seven years, lung failure patient asks her doctors, “Am I still the sickest patient you ever had that lived?”

Patient Story

School rocks—even at the hospital

A party for young patients and their siblings delivers photo ops, fun activities and backpacks filled with supplies.

Patient Story

‘My purpose in life’

A one-of-a-kind device transforms the life of a teen with an ailing heart.

Patient Story

‘Whatever I have to do, I’ll do it’

Diabetes diagnosis motivates Nikki Moon to change her lifestyle.

Patient Story

Sweet baby, big victories

Born with a disorder of the bowel called Hirschsprung disease, Paul underwent surgery at 6 months of age for a delicate repair.

Patient Story

Stronger than suicide

Amid a struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts, Vicky Mennare wants others to know that getting help is a sign of strength.

Patient Story

‘He got all the cancer out of me’

The average age for pancreatic cancer diagnosis is 71. John Morris hit it on the nail. But now, he's defying the odds.

Patient Story

A new kind of beat

Joint pain and weight problems kept Kim Metzger sedentary for years. She found a new groove with cardio-drumming—and later, bariatric surgery.

Patient Story

A day for smiles

Past and present cleft palate and craniofacial surgery patients connect with one another and their surgeons during a day of celebration.

Patient Story

‘A completely different baby’

Born with a rare and life-threatening immune system disorder, baby Emmett gets a new start with a bone marrow transplant.

Patient Story

‘You’ve just gotta do it’

After skipping her mammogram for 20-plus years, Kathy Hicks learned she had breast cancer the hard way.