Patient Stories
Dismissed by Others, Neck Surgery Patient Receives Relief at Hoag
Blair Allan knew exactly what it looked like to the Urgent Care team in Los Angeles: A late-20s, healthy woman who had suffered no injury, showing up to the Urgent Care complaining of pain and asking for relief. It’s September 2020. The opioid epidemic is in full swing. Blair forgives the nurses for their caution. … Read More
From Despair to Disneyland: A Spine Patient Journey
In her 20s, Candice Timmons was involved in a car accident that resulted in chronic back pain. Physical therapy helped for a few years until she developed sciatica during her first pregnancy. Her second pregnancy brought on even more pain. In November 2021, her pain grabbed hold and never let go. Her mobility diminished until … Read More
‘I Didn’t Know How Much Pain I Was in Until I Was Out of It”
Sarah Post was able to get through the day. She was on her feet a lot and took frequent flights for work. Yes, her back hurt. But she figured it was sciatica left over from her pregnancy with twin boys that she delivered at Hoag nine years ago. It would flare up from time to … Read More
Marathoner Regains Ability to Compete After Life-Changing Spine Procedure
When Beth Sanden found Dr. Burak Ozgur, Director for the Hoag Spine Center, she was losing hope. After visiting 5 other doctors, she wasn’t sure anyone would be able to help her back injury. “She went in and had a consultation. I didn’t get to be there, but when she came home, she was radiant,” … Read More
Ophthalmologist Appreciates Spine Surgeon Who Keeps an Eye on Details
Hoag Ophthalmologist Robert Jones, M.D., hadn’t slept well in more than four years. Leg pain and foot cramping kept him awake. He’d also had back pain for decades. But the neurologists and other physicians he had seen over the years didn’t seem to pay attention to the details that troubled Dr. Jones most. In 2018, … Read More
Grateful Patient Thanks Surgeon for Not Operating
Linda Lifur-Bennett, Ph.D., wants to clarify one thing: She is a patient of Burak Ozgur, M.D., director of the Hoag Spine Center. No, the Newport Beach neurosurgeon did not operate on Dr. Lifur-Bennett. In fact, he did not perform any procedures on the 70-year-old clinical psychologist. Rather, through his compassion and expertise, Dr. Ozgur prevented … Read More
Pain-Free and Grateful, Surgery Patient Hopes Her Story Helps Others
“I’m blessed and Hoag’s blessed to have Dr. Ozgur,” Ann said. “He’s changed my life.”