Student Makes Dean's List After Recovering from Critical Gunshot Wound

Ups and downs are part of life, but for Vicente Rosas of Houston, life couldn't be more up than it is now.

Recently named to the dean's list at the University of Oklahoma, Rosas, 20, has made a remarkable turnaround since being critically shot and facing certain paralysis five years ago.

Rosas first came to Ben Taub Hospital in 1995 with a gunshot wound to his back. In an emergency surgery, doctors worked to repair his spine and remove the bullet. His injury left him nearly paralyzed from the waist down. After a lengthy stay in the hospital's intensive care unit, his prognosis seemed bleak. He was told his chances to walk again were slim.

As he prepared to go home, Rosas noticed some slight movement in one of his toes. That was all the inspiration he needed. He began a rigorous rehabilitation program that involved physical and occupational rehab specialists at Ben Taub and Quentin Mease Community Hospitals. Within a few months, he amazed everyone by doing exactly what doctors told him he would not be able to do-walk again.

Rosas recently visited Ben Taub physicians and staff for his regular medical checkup, and to update them on his successful freshman year at OU as a chemical engineering major. During his hospital recovery, Ben Taub staff had worked with Rosas' high school to help help him secure nearly $20,000 in scholarship money to attend OU. Upon Rosas' high school graduation, staffers at Ben Taub hosted a graduation party for Rosas and his family. Among the gifts given to help him in school were a laptop computer and OU collegiate wear.

"I like coming back to Ben Taub because all the doctors and nurses are so nice to me," Rosas said. "I know they really care about me."

That is a sentiment echoed by one of his physicians, Dr. Marcus Hanfling, director of the hospital's pediatric emergency center.

"Vicente is like a part of our family," Dr. Hanfling said. "Aside from finding out how he's doing physically, we want to know how his life is going and how he's doing in school. We're all so proud of him."

"This is a story about what happens when things go right," said Dr. Kenneth L. Mattox, Ben Taub chief of staff. "It's a true example of good prevailing through adversity."

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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