For Ann Hollas, who graduated this week from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine with her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree, treating others comes without hesitation.
Four years ago, when she was in her first year of medical school at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth, she donated her bone marrow to a 6-year-old boy in Virginia who was battling leukemia.
“Once they asked me to, I was like, ‘Yes, of course, why would I not do something?’” said Hollas, who will begin her residency in family medicine later this year. “It felt so small and easy to do. Knowing that it had such a way of saving his life, like his life was literally on the line, there wasn’t really hesitation for me.”
Hollas encourages others to be a match and join the National Marrow Donor Program. Every year, 18,000 patients are diagnosed with life-threatening blood cancers or other diseases in which a blood stem cell transplant may be the best option for a cure. A vast majority of these patients — 70 percent — do not have a fully matched donor in their family, according to the national program.
An hour before her graduation ceremony this week, she got a big surprise. Cooper Muncy, the boy who received her stem cells, came with his family for a surprise visit in celebration of Hollas’ medical school diploma.
“She did a cheek swab. And then, three years later, she found out that she could do something about it. And so now, she saved my life,” said Muncy, who is now 10 and in good health. “I think that she is very brave to do it.”
The two have gotten to know each other over the years. Initially, the donation is anonymous, but after a year has passed the donor and recipient may decide whether they want to connect with one another. Both Hollas and Muncy decided to get in touch once the waiting period ended. Since then, there have been FaceTime calls, a visit to Virginia, several visits when Hollas was doing a rotation in North Carolina and now a surprise visit to Fort Worth on her graduation day.
Hollas’ mother, Elizabeth, wasn’t really surprised that her daughter decided to donate bone marrow. She describes her as “stoic” — someone who can persevere through a lot — but also as someone guided by her faith and big heart.
“I was just super impressed with her determination and resolve. She never wavered, even when she was feeling sick,” Hollas’ mother said.
Hollas said she became a doctor of osteopathy because of her desire “to extend the healing ministry of Christ.” She also comes from a family of doctors committed to whole health. Both her father and brother are family physicians. But her approach to treatment has emotional and spiritual dimensions beyond the physical needs.
The Muncys are grateful for that extension of healing. They were excited to join Hollas on the day she became a doctor.
“Everybody that’s graduating today is signing up to save lives, but Ann clearly already saved one,” said Jen Muncy, Cooper’s mother. “She’s got a head start on all of them.”
Shomial Ahmad is a higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report, in partnership with Open Campus. Contact her at shomial.ahmad@fortworthreport.org.
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