CHICAGO, IL, June 16, 2008 – Thomas Grobelny, M.D., director of the Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery & Neuroresearch (CINN) Neurovascular and Stroke Intervention Program, is the only endovascular specialist in the country who is bilingual in Polish and English.
Besides his expertise in endovascular surgery, Dr. Grobelny is best known for his compassion for others. During his residency in Radiology and Neuroradiology he was a jail physician at Rikers Island, New York, where he worked with prisoners during the initial terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in 1993. He encountered a wide variety of patients there and treated many inmates who preferred life in prison to living “on the outside.” He was most affected by one inmate who had been living in a discarded refrigerator under a bridge.
Educated in Poland, Dr. Grobelny has come a long way since his school days with Poland’s current wealthiest businessmen, Leszek Czarnecki. The two were classmates and on the high school swim team in Wroclaw, Poland. Today, they are still friends and Czarnecki, who started Poland’s largest leasing business and the Getin Bank, is credited with building the Sky Tower, the tallest residential building in Europe.
Dr. Grobelny attributes his success today as a stroke prevention specialist to his education in Poland’s fast track system for students excelling in math and physics and his unusual life experiences.
His expertise includes a full-range of neuroendovascular interventions, including coiling of aneurysms, stenting of narrowed blood vessels in the brain and neck, embolization of arteriovenous malformations, and the use of novel devices to treat acute stroke. Dr. Grobelny is also trained to use Gamma Knife radiosurgery to treat his patient afflicted with AVMs. In addition to the care of patients afflicted with neurovascular disorders, Dr. Grobelny’s experience also reflects the treatment of vertebral compression fractures using a procedure called kyphoplasty which almost immediately eliminates the back pain associated with this condition.
“I loved learning at an early age and I was encouraged by my teachers in high school,” Dr. Grobelny explains. “My passion for medicine and healing with the latest technology was sparked by my fellow students too.”
Grobelny began his medical training in 1980 where he attended the School of Medicine, Wroclaw, Poland. Shortly thereafter, he found himself a political refugee at a camp in Italy. Finally, in 1988 he was sponsored to come to the United States where he successfully passed U.S. qualifying medical license and English language fluency exams within one year. He performed his residency in Radiology at Columbia University, Harlem Hospital Center in New York City and completed fellowships in Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology/Interventional Neuroradiology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA and University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Medicine.
Grobelny is married to wife Eva whom he met in the middle of her OB/GYN internship in Poland. They were married in Poland and she was able to join him three long years after he immigrated to the U.S. They have one son, Bartosz, 24, who is in his third year of medical school at Thomas Jefferson School, Philadelphia (like his dad).
Dr. Grobelny is a resident of Chicago where he is an avid cyclist and Category 3 racer, often enjoying 5 a.m. training rides. Recently, he had the privilege of riding with 2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis along the Chicago lakeshore.
He joined CINN in March 2007 and has practices at the Neurologic & Orthopedic Hospital of Chicago and Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Dr. Grobelny is an active lecturer and researcher. His current research interest is in endovascular neuroresearch.
My mother is a stroke patient. It happened on June 5,2008. She regained some strength in her right hand, however, her right leg is still stiff and not moving.
What are your recommendations in our case? What orthopedic doctor would you recommend in Brooklyn, New York area?
Your reply is greatly appreciated.
By the way my mother speaks Russian and it would be helpful if the doctor speaks it too, otherwise, it would be OK if he does not.
Thank you,
Mila Leis
daughter of ALeksandra Gleizer
I want to say hello to Dr. Grobelny. Six years ago he saved my life. I live in Kansas City and was treated by Dr. Grobelny at St. Lukes Hospital. I want him to know I much I appreciate what he did for me and my family. In March 2003 I had 3 massive stokes on March 17, a Monday, and the following Saturday I was able to walk out of the hospital. I know I was a lot luckier than must because I had no affects from my stoke. At the time of my stoke we had just had our first grandchild, a boy, so I had a lot to want to live for. My husband and myself both guit smoking after being life long smokers. Since my stoke we have had a granddaughter. I want Dr. Grobelny to know how much I owe to him and I will never forget what he did for me. Dr. Grobelny you are the greatest to me I will always remember you.
In March of 2005, I suffered a massive Brain-Stem Stoke that rendered me a paraplegic. But my sentience was not affected. As soon as I got my computer back, I started to take classes online. I’ve already earned an Associate Degree in Business from the University of Phoenix with a GPA of 3.83. I realize that’s not very high for someone like me, but the work was always my focus, not the business end. In September, I start a four-year program at the Academy of Art in San Francisco. It is my hope that I can return to my vocation. Since the early 80’s, I have worked as an artist/muralist/sign-writer. Though I’ve lost my right hand, I hope to continue to produce.
I even returned to the ISPE – International Society for Philosophical Enquiry. I believe that those at the top of the intellectual pyramid have a responsibility to share and encourage. I’ve written a couple of papers for our newsletter which goes out to over 85 countries. I’m a bit intimidated about continuing to work, but sitting in a wheelchair, waiting to die is not an option.
I hope that one day I will walk again, and play Chopin’s Polonaise in Ab like I used to. I’ve had contact with a stem-cell research facility in Germany, and I know the brain is plastic. I hope that current research will find a way to make me whole again, and would appreciate being kept in the loop. I’m aware you don’t answer medical questions, but I beg that you grant me a reason to hope. Thank you for your time and attention.