Doctors' Day 2024
Celebrate Doctors' Day 2024 with us by reading the heartfelt thank-you notes from survivors, warriors, families, and more impacted by brain aneurysms, AVMs, and strokes!
Want to participate? Fill out the form at the link below. Additions after 9AM PST 3/30 will be added the following day. Join us in honoring these dedicated physicians.
In Graditude...
Dr Daniel Batista Thompson: Dr Daniel Batista Thompson, I call you my hero AVM doctor and my “brother-doctor” since we share the Thompson surname. But more than that, I believe your love for GOD is what has bound us together. Thanks for taking my many calls, and patiently answering my questions. Your calm, reassuring demeanor is what helped me to experience “peace that made no sense” even while staring at evidence of life-threatening blood on my brain. Thank you! Through you, I have seen more evidence of GOD at work in the MEANtime. ~Diane Batchelor
Dr. J Grider: Dr. Grider worked above and beyond trying to find a way to help reduce my pain after my gamma knife surgery. He never dismissed my pain. At one of my appointments he told my husband and myself he noticed that my head MRI looked like the football players they were showing on a show called 30 for 30 and they were getting this chiropractic treatment that help reduce the pain. Because of him I have another tool to help with my pain that is not taking medication.Latter at another appointment he said he was working on a trial that involved a spinal cord stimulator and it was working really well for other type of pain patients but it had not been used on someone in my situation. We did the trial where the battery was on the outside and it worked perfectly we were all very pleased. So after that we had a small battery like a pacemaker put in my lower back that was connected to the wires going to my brain unfortunately when it was in my body it caused seizures . After removal when he met with my husband he told him he was sorry he was not able to help us my husband said you could tell he genuinely cared. I had found a lump in my breast and didn’t have a GP at the time so I asked Dr. Grider to please help get me a referral for a mammogram. That referral I believe saved my life. The earliest I was getting an appointment was months away from when I got in with the referral. Come to find out I had stage 3 triple negative breast cancer that was growing fast. Without his referral to get in I have no doubt I would have been stage 4 or worse . Even after our move to Florida Dr. Grider is willing to answer questions we have about new procedures I see or read about. Thank you for listening and not dismissing my pain. ~Niyani Swartz
Dr. Wilson P. Daugherty: Thank you for the compassion you showed me during and post brain surgery. Your understanding and patience made a difficult situation more bearable. Your dedication to knowledge and understanding your patients unique needs are truly inspiring. I am so incredibly grateful and blessed to have been under your care. Thank you for being an exceptional doctor! ~Minda Thurman
Dr. Michael Lawton/Ruth Bristol: Dr. Michael Lawton and Dr. Ruth Bristol at Phoenix children’s hospital are absolutely amazing!!! There is no way I could ever thank them enough. I will forever be grateful for them. They removed my daughters AVM and saved her life. ~Miranda Smith
Dr. Babak Jahromi: Thank you for saving my life & providing me with the best care! ~Elizabeth Loquercio
Dr. David Harter: Thank You for Saving My LIFE! ~Hope Leussing
Dr. Valle : When my brother was diagnosed with a Grade 5 AVM, Dr. Valle was the first doctor he met that did not allow the severity of his diagnosis limit his case to fight. Now, 6 years later, my brother not only defeated his AVM, but has zero limitations in his quality of life thanks to the talent and dedication Dr. Valle has provided my brother and our family. ~Angel Gail
Dr Choudhari: Dr Choudhari and two other Neurosurgeons at Sheffield Hallamshire Hospital saved my life after an AVM ruptured in my brain in September last year, I will be forever grateful to them 
I get to still be a mummy to my two beautiful children, wife to my husband and live a relatively normal life with no disabilities from this happening. I am very lucky 
~Gemma
Dr. Knopman: Thank you to Dr. Knopman from Weill Cornell. ~Bessie & Jamie
Dr. Gary Steinberg: Dr. Gary Steinberg & his amazing team at the then Stanford Stroke Center saved my life in ‘94. No words properly express my gratitude for their expertise. 
~Leslie
Dr Spetzler: To All at St Joseph Hosp Dr Spetzler especially thank you so much for everything you are the best!!
~Ruthie
Dr. Moss: Dr Moss neurosurgeon in Mesa Arizona.Best doctor .Because of him my son is still here alive 
~Maria
Dr. Gupta: Dr.Gupta UCSF childrens hospital worked a miracle on my baby girl she’s now a thriving 19 young women, couldn’t be more blessed with this Doctor. ~Erica
Guglielmi: Dr. Guido Guglielmi, USC- LA & UCLA Westwood. ~Lydia
Dr. Ringer: Dr Andy Ringer saved my life at UC from AVM of the Brain. He’s the Best! ~Mark
Dr. Locke: Dr Locke at the Queen Elizabeth, Glasgow and all the whole team that done my surgery almost 2 years ago and the nurses that looked after me, after the surgery. Can't thank them all enough for the amazing work they done and the amazing care I received. They are all one remarkable team 
xxx ~Maryann
Dr. Nussbaum: Dr Eric Nussbaum for taking on an inoperable aneurysm. ~Pat
The fantastic doctors of TAAF's Board: On this Doctors' Day, I want to express my deepest gratitude to each of you for your unwavering dedication to The Aneurysm and AVM Foundation. Your commitment to our cause, your willingness to share your knowledge and insights, and your compassionate care for those affected by brain aneurysms, AVMs, and strokes are truly inspiring.
You are not just doctors; you are beacons of hope, guiding us through the complexities of these conditions and offering comfort to patients and their families. Thank you for being such a vital part of our foundation and for your invaluable contributions. You make a difference every day, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such exceptional individuals.
With heartfelt thanks and admiration, always! ~Dina Chon
Dr. Wade Smith: Dr. Smith, your dedication and expertise have transformed lives, mine specifically. Thank you for your commitment to excellence. ~C.W.
Join in!
This Doctors' Day, let's honor the physicians who make a difference in our lives. Join us in expressing gratitude and appreciation for their dedication and hard work.
Here's how you can participate in 3 easy steps:
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Fill out the Doctors' Day Thank You form: Tell us about a doctor who has made a difference in your life and why you're grateful.
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Download the Canva template: Use our custom-designed template to create a digital thank you card for your doctor.
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Share your thank you: Post your thank you card on social media, tagging TAAF and using the hashtag #TAAFDocsRock.
Bonus: All submissions will be featured on the TAAF website, showcasing the impact of our doctors.
Let's come together to show our appreciation for our healthcare heroes! Thank you for your support and participation.
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