I was a thousand miles from home, in St. Louis, Missouri. As my mom and I entered our hotel’s lobby, a young man in a staff uniform rushed forward to hold the door. His eyes lingered on the stiffness in my legs as I passed through.
“Are you here in St. Louis to see Dr. Park?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said. “Do you know him?”
He shook his head, awestruck. “I have never met him,” he said, “but that man is a legend.”
The supervisor of the hotel cafe, Miss Brenda, knew of Dr. Park too. She had seen hundreds of families come to see him from every corner of the world. He has helped so many, she said.
That week, I had pre-op appointments at the hospital.
“Your doctor’s name?” the secretary at radiology asked as I checked in.
“Dr. TS Park,” I replied.
A woman behind us spoke up. “Hi—excuse me,” she said, hesitant at first. “Did you say Dr. Park? I couldn’t help but overhear. Dr. Park did my son’s brain surgery many years ago. He changed my son’s life.”
On July 7, 2017, he would change mine too.
His talents reached across borders, creeds, and religions. Thousands of families from all around the world would come to regard Dr. Park as the man who performed miracles with his scalpel, with a three-inch scar and four-hour surgery that would set people free from the constant spasms in their legs. When other surgeons said no—you’re too mild, too severe, too young, too old—so often, Dr. Park said yes. Yes, I can help you. Yes, there is hope.
But that isn’t the end of this story. Perhaps you’ve noticed that when someone discovers their purpose on this Earth, it’s as though that energy spreads. I witnessed that in the parents who came to comfort my mom and me when I had my surgery. They would have been strangers, except Dr. Park changed the lives of their children too, and that made us family. Amy, who whispered in my ear as my nurse injected the pre-op sedative—“I will take care of your mom.” Linda, whose seven-year-old daughter Mackenzie slipped her hand into mine as I wheeled back to my hospital room. Abdullah, who offered his arm for me to lean on when I was relearning how to stand and walk.
Dr. Park was fiercely proud of this community he helped create—over 20,000 members have joined the St. Louis Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) Facebook group to share their stories and guide each other on their journeys. He was fiercely proud of the surgical technique he pioneered—a technique that is now considered the gold standard by many neurosurgeons throughout the world. And he was fiercely proud of his patients and their families, cherishing their progress and encouraging them every step of the way.
Dr. Park deserved many more years than he got—but what a beautiful legacy he created with the years he was given. He will live on in countless neurosurgeons as they carry on his work in operating rooms throughout the world, as well as in the world-class members of his surgical and rehabilitation teams.
And—of course—he will live on in his SDR families.
Though he is gone from this world in a physical sense, his energy will continue to spread through the thousands and thousands of lives he has changed.
Truly—
that man is a legend.
What a beautiful tribute, thank you so much for sharing this! I’m so sorry to hear about Dr. Park’s passing, but may his memory — like his life-changing work — be a blessing.
Kerry what a wonderful tribute. I cannot help but crying all the way through it. Thank you for your meaningful words. We are all heartbroken for His passing but feeling a profound thankfulness for having had the opportunity of meeting him and trusting him our daughter AND her future.
Melina from Argentina, Juana’s mum
my eyeballs are leaking and it is YOUR 🫵 fault. (in all seriousness, this was a beautiful tribute!!!) this quote really stood out to me. “When other surgeons said no—you’re too mild, too severe, too young, too old—so often, Dr. Park said yes. Yes, I can help you. Yes, there is hope.” I’m so glad you and so many others lives have been positively impacted by this man’s willingness to help and not deciding anyone is too anything to receive this treatment. lovely blog, friend!
Thank you so much for reading and for the kind words, Tara, Melina, and Kayla! Dr. Park was truly such an incredible person and surgeon.
That was beautiful. I really wish I’d have met him and had the opportunity to have surgery in St. Louis. He’s an angel
He was incredible, and his work has guided that of so many other SDR surgeons, including the surgeon you’re slated to have surgery with (if this is the same Kim I’m thinking of!). So he will have touched your life too, friend.
We are so sad and sorry to hear about the passing of Dr Park. My son Jack was lucky enough to be treated by him back in December 2009. I often think about our time at St Louis Children’s Hospital. Not only Jack’s life was changed but all our family’s. He was an amazing man and we are very proud to have known him.
We are so blessed to have met Dr Park
He changed our sons and our life’s forever
He has a special place in our hearts and will never be forgotten
RIP Dr Park
I am so glad your son had the privilege of having surgery with him, and that you and your family had the privilege of meeting him. Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment.
So glad you were able to find such a caring and wonderful doctor who helped change your life!
Thank you, Alyssa! I appreciate the kind words and the time you took to read this tribute.
A beautiful tribute. Dr. Park will forever hold a special place in my heart, as he profoundly changed my son’s life in 2020. Rest in peace, Guardian of Childhood.
I am so very glad he changed your son’s life too. He will always hold a special place in our hearts!
Everything you said is so true. Dr. Park removed my brain tumor when I was a baby. So many doctors said “just wait and see, she’ll be fine!” But not Dr. Park. He believed my parents and took action. Your tribute is spot on and I am so sorry for your loss.
I am sorry for your loss, too, Amy, and grateful that Dr. Park was able to help you as he has helped so many others.
Gracias por el contenido. Me surge una pregunta: ¿cómo aplicarías esto en situaciones cotidianas?