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Bahamian Mother-Daughter Duo Travels to U.S. for Lifesaving, Multidisciplinary Care at Cleveland Clinic

Tue, Apr 15th 2025, 10:40 AM
About Bahamians Health

In May 2015, Sherrin Brown found herself in a race against time, rushing her 21-year-old daughter, Sherdell to the hospital amidst crippling stomach pain. Sherdell's medical history was marked by intricate gastrointestinal complications, a result of early-life surgery for duodenal atresia - a condition where her intestines were misaligned, necessitating the removal of a portion of the bowel.

Over the years, Sherrin became all too familiar with hospital visits, as Sherdell battled recurring symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and difficulty in gaining weight.

Sherdell, given her history of complex stomach and intestine issues, was dealing with an intestinal perforation. As a result, her local hospital escalated her care to Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, the No. 2 hospital in the world, according to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2025 list.

There, an emergency room physician recommended Dr. Matthew Kroh, a surgeon with expertise in complex gastrointestinal reconstruction and Vice Chair of Innovation and Technology at Cleveland Clinic, OH. A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team led to the decision to operate.

The meticulous 2.5-hour procedure involved opening her abdomen, removing scar tissue, reshaping and excising parts of her small intestine, and placing tubes for feeding and drainage. Post-surgery, Sherdell received attentive care and pain management, gradually resuming her eating habits and regaining a sense of normalcy.

In 2019, during a routine checkup at her local hospital, a lump was discovered on Sherrin's breast, leading to a mammogram, ultrasound, and ultimately, a cancer diagnosis. Sherrin sought advice from an oncologist in The Bahamas but decided to seek a second opinion in the U.S., facilitated by her international insurance.

Remembering her daughter’s positive experience with Dr. Kroh, she reached out to him for guidance. She learned that she could receive care at one of the Cleveland Clinic locations in Ohio or Florida. Sherrin promptly contacted the Global Patient Services team, and a team of specialists was assembled for her care. Following her mastectomy, she underwent successful reconstruction surgery under Dr. Risal Djohan’s care, experienced surgeon and Vice Chair of Plastic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, OH. After a month in Ohio, she returned home.

Post-reconstruction surgery, Sherrin received radiation therapy at Cleveland Clinic Weston in Florida, under diagnostic radiologist, Dr. Dustin Thompson. Genetic testing revealed a positive BRCA1 gene mutation. Her doctors recommended a preventive hysterectomy, which was performed by one of Cleveland Clinic’s gynecologic oncologists Dr. Adria Suarez-Mora, to mitigate her heightened risk of gynecological cancer.

Reflecting on her journey, Sherrin expressed, "The team at Cleveland Clinic was incredibly supportive from the moment of my diagnosis. Their seamless communication across different locations ensured I received the best possible care." Despite the challenges of being away from home, Sherrin found strength in the unwavering support of her daughter, Sherdell, during this lifesaving journey.

In May 2015, Sherrin Brown found herself in a race against time, rushing her 21-year-old daughter, Sherdell to the hospital amidst crippling stomach pain. Sherdell's medical history was marked by intricate gastrointestinal complications, a result of early-life surgery for duodenal atresia - a condition where her intestines were misaligned, necessitating the removal of a portion of the bowel.
Over the years, Sherrin became all too familiar with hospital visits, as Sherdell battled recurring symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dehydration, and difficulty in gaining weight.
Sherdell, given her history of complex stomach and intestine issues, was dealing with an intestinal perforation. As a result, her local hospital escalated her care to Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, the No. 2 hospital in the world, according to Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals 2025 list.
There, an emergency room physician recommended Dr. Matthew Kroh, a surgeon with expertise in complex gastrointestinal reconstruction and Vice Chair of Innovation and Technology at Cleveland Clinic, OH. A comprehensive evaluation by a multidisciplinary team led to the decision to operate.
The meticulous 2.5-hour procedure involved opening her abdomen, removing scar tissue, reshaping and excising parts of her small intestine, and placing tubes for feeding and drainage. Post-surgery, Sherdell received attentive care and pain management, gradually resuming her eating habits and regaining a sense of normalcy.
In 2019, during a routine checkup at her local hospital, a lump was discovered on Sherrin's breast, leading to a mammogram, ultrasound, and ultimately, a cancer diagnosis. Sherrin sought advice from an oncologist in The Bahamas but decided to seek a second opinion in the U.S., facilitated by her international insurance.
Remembering her daughter’s positive experience with Dr. Kroh, she reached out to him for guidance. She learned that she could receive care at one of the Cleveland Clinic locations in Ohio or Florida. Sherrin promptly contacted the Global Patient Services team, and a team of specialists was assembled for her care. Following her mastectomy, she underwent successful reconstruction surgery under Dr. Risal Djohan’s care, experienced surgeon and Vice Chair of Plastic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, OH. After a month in Ohio, she returned home.
Post-reconstruction surgery, Sherrin received radiation therapy at Cleveland Clinic Weston in Florida, under diagnostic radiologist, Dr. Dustin Thompson. Genetic testing revealed a positive BRCA1 gene mutation. Her doctors recommended a preventive hysterectomy, which was performed by one of Cleveland Clinic’s gynecologic oncologists Dr. Adria Suarez-Mora, to mitigate her heightened risk of gynecological cancer.
Reflecting on her journey, Sherrin expressed, "The team at Cleveland Clinic was incredibly supportive from the moment of my diagnosis. Their seamless communication across different locations ensured I received the best possible care." Despite the challenges of being away from home, Sherrin found strength in the unwavering support of her daughter, Sherdell, during this lifesaving journey.
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