Patient Stories

Santa Visits Dr. Livhits

Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy
By SANTA

I’m writing to commend UCLA Health, the UCLA Endocrine Center & the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center for my recent successful minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. Dr. Masha Livhits and Dr. Lauren Orr reviewed the pre-op material submitted by my General Practitioner in Alaska, personally examined, and successfully operated on me less than a week ago. And, I’m now back in North Pole, Alaska, enjoying an early Spring.

Small Cut, Big Results

All these years I just thought I had high blood pressure. I never knew what was going on,” says Gloria Beauregard. Dr. Masha Livhits, an endocrine surgeon at Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center, explains, “Mrs. Beauregard had what’s called an aldosteronoma, which is usually a benign tumor in her adrenal gland.

Lauren’s Story

Thyroid cancer radiation treatment comes in the form of a pill. You go into the radiation unit at the hospital, and someone who looks like they’re in a hazmat suit comes into the room, takes these tongs and hands you a pill,” says 33-­year-­old Lauren Shapiro, who discovered she had thyroid cancer when she was 26. “That was the most interesting part of the process.

Keith’s Story

Keith chose Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center because, “what I have is rare. I need treatments that may not exist at other places and I've been getting great care at UCLA.”