May 2025
Patient is misdiagnosed. Dr. Yoshor contacts Dr. Lloyd. Patient sees Dr. Lloyd.
When Thomas Lloyd, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Neurology, received a call from Daniel Yosher, M.D., former chair of Neurosurgery at Baylor and currently the chair of Neurosurgery at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, it sounded like he needed a second opinion about a patient’s ALS diagnosis. Dr. Lloyd consulted with Roy Lin, M.D., MPH, assistant professor of Neurology, who correctly diagnosed the patient with SCA27B (with late-onset ataxia). Dr. Lin knew this patient could benefit from a trial at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and made the referral while continuing to manage the patient’s neurological care locally in Houston.
Dr. Lloyd recognized the patient and his wife’s overwhelming gratitude towards him and Dr. Lin, and that the patient also mentioned that he could take “his plane” anywhere for treatment. Dr. Lloyd then emailed Isabel Flame, director of Engagement and Outreach, about a potential grateful patient opportunity. Isabel arranged a quick meeting between Drs. Lloyd and Lin with Miriam Overton, senior director of Development, to discuss a strategy to engage the couple. Isabel asked when the next appointment was so she could make a soft introduction.
Let’s outline this patient’s journey to becoming a donor:
Patient is misdiagnosed. Dr. Yoshor contacts Dr. Lloyd. Patient sees Dr. Lloyd.
Patient sees Dr. Lin and is correctly diagnosed.
Patient has multiple visits with Dr. Lin.
Dr. Lloyd emails Isabel Flame. Isabel meets patient and wife prior to apointment. They tell Isabel they are moving all their care to Baylor College of Medicine.
Dr. Lloyd invites patient and wife to the On The Frontline 125th luncheon.
Patient and wife attend On the Frontline and visit with Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd, Miriam and Isabel.
They express interest in supporting Drs. Lloyd and Lin’s research and ask to schedule a meeting.
Patient and wife meet with Dr. and Mrs. Lloyd and Miriam and request a proposal to fund by the end of 2025.
Miriam sends proposal.
Patient agrees to $2,000,000 gift and donates first $1,000,000.
Patient donates $1,000,000
Patient’s son joins Concierge Health Clinic. Moves his care to Baylor College of Medicine.
Isabel visits patient and wife before appointment with Dr. Lin and thanks them for their generous gift. Patient and wife mention it won’t be their last.
