05/15/2026
Thirty-seven years ago, Ally was a senior in high school when a devastating car accident changed her life.
She was partially ejected from the vehicle and broke nearly every bone in her face. At UT Medical Center, she met oral and maxillofacial surgeons Jack Gotcher, Jr., DMD, PhD, R. Ben Alley, DDS and J. Michael McCoy, DDS who undertook an incredibly complex reconstruction. They carefully reconstructed her face using wires, screws and hardware. Her jaw was wired shut for 10 weeks as she began the long process of recovery. “I was terrified that I might look different or be horribly scarred,” Ally recalled. “When you’re young, things like that really carry a lot of weight.”
But what she remembers most isn’t just the surgery. It’s how she was treated.
“Dr. Gotcher always took his time with me,” she said. “Most of my questions were written on a whiteboard because my teeth were wired shut. Understanding me was a challenge, but he never rushed me or made me feel like my concerns didn’t matter.”
Over time, that experience shaped Ally’s future. Inspired by the care she received, she chose a career in health care and eventually worked as a nurse and team member at UT Medical Center herself.
Their connection never faded.
“He always tells me how proud he is that I went into health care,” she said. “Our 37-year provider-patient relationship is very special.”
Recently, Ally found herself back at UT Medical Center after developing an infection around the hardware placed decades earlier. When Dr. Gotcher walked into the room, he immediately called her by name.
“He remembered every detail from our first meeting,” she said. “In my mind, he and his team were miracle workers. If you didn’t know my face had been rebuilt like a complicated set of Legos, you would never know.”
“It was my privilege to help her as a teenager, and then I’m glad I could be there to help her again,” Dr. Gotcher said.
During her stay, Ally said the care extended far beyond the operating room.
“The nurses on 5 East were incredible,” she said. “They recognized quickly that I was having complications and alerted the right people immediately. Their clinical skill helped prevent something that could have been very serious.”
For Ally, the experience is a reminder that healthcare is deeply personal.
“He took the time to care for a scared teenage girl,” she said. “Thirty-seven years later, he still sees me as that person. I’m glad I have this opportunity to thank a wonderful man – and being able to recount the details of my situation and show my respect, admiration and gratitude for what I feel will be a lifelong friendship."
Her life today is proof of what compassionate care can do. “The very smile you see on my face today is there because of them,” she said.
We are proud to be a part of America’s Best Employers for Company Culture 2025 named by Forbes and proud to provide outstanding care for our community that spans decades.
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