April 2023

ORTHOPAEDICS

ALL-WOMEN CARE TEAM SAVES NORTHWESTERN MEDICINE UROLOGY RESIDENT'S LIFE

​Featuring: Vehniah K. Tjong, MD

​Patient Chris Gonzales-Alabastro was wrapping up his third year as a urology resident at Northwestern Memorial Hospital when he and his boyfriend were hit by a car while crossing the street in a crosswalk on March 18, 2022.  Some of his injuries included severed veins, internal bleeding, liver and kidney lacerations, a torn ACL and eye injuries. 
 
The care team that helped save his life was comprised of all women, including Vehniah K. Tjong, MD, associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Northwestern Medicine, who repaired his ACL. Dr. Tjong says, "It was an honor to be a part of the world-class all-female surgical team who shared in Chris's care. His ACL/MCL injury, though the least critical of his injuries that day, was still debilitating for him. Following his ACL reconstruction, I am hopeful that he will be back on the tennis courts even after a full day as a urology resident."

​Gonzales-Alabastro’s recovery is going well, and he’ll be able to return to residency this summer. 

To learn more about Dr. Tjong's work, listen to her podcast with Better Edge, Women in Sports Medicine.
Vehniah K. Tjong, MD, associate professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Northwestern Medicine

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