Patrick Clarke Brain Surgery Recovery Fund

Patrick Clarke is a wonderful friend and family member to so many of us. After graduating from med school at the University of Vermont, Patrick entered residency at UCSF this past Summer in California. Excited to start his residency in emergency medicine, Patrick found himself with a medical emergency of his own in September. After experiencing some scary neurological symptoms like left-side numbness, Patrick was persuaded by his dedicated partner, Dillon, to seek help.

Through an MRI, he learned that he had an intracerebral hemorrhage from a previously unknown vascular tumor at the bottom of his brain stem called a cavernous malformation. Initially, Patrick’s surgery wouldn’t be until March, allowing the brain to heal after the bleeding. After a second bleed occurred shortly after his first symptoms, the doctors decided it was best for Patrick to have an expedited craniotomy. Within days, Patrick went from enjoying his new home and residency in San Francisco to needing brain surgery.

Patrick’s surgery went well, but he is now dealing with the side effects; he’s re-learning how to walk, regaining movement in his arms, strengthening his sight, improving his speech, and more. Recovering has required a month-long hospital stay and hundreds of hours of PT, OT, and speech therapy. This experience has been physically and emotionally taxing for Patrick and his loved ones. Patrick is the most hard-working person I know, and that has been more evident than ever in his recovery.

We all know how much Patrick would rather be treating patients right now than be the patient himself. When I put myself in his shoes, I can’t imagine how stressful it must be to have these additional medical expenses, plus paying off med school loans and living in a new city while he’s in his first year of residency. I’m creating this fundraiser in partnership with Dillon and Patrick’s Mom to help relieve the stress of the additional expenses Patrick has unexpectedly taken on. We appreciate your generosity and can’t wait for Patrick to get back to 100%!