A Grateful Heart, a Second Chance, and a Commitment to Give Back
For Tina Connar, what began as a long‑cherished vacation with her husband, Mark, became an unexpected turning point, one that deepened her gratitude for life, reinforced her trust in St. Luke’s University Health Network, and inspired a generous philanthropic commitment to the place she calls “my hospital since I was four years old.”
In April 2023, Tina and Mark were visiting Anguilla, a place they had loved for more than 40 years. “The people are very kind and when we saw the water for the first time, we said, ‘Oh, my God! We found our paradise!’” Tina says. But this time, paradise quickly gave way to fear when Tina suddenly collapsed and lost the ability to stand or walk.
At first, local doctors believed she had muscle spasms. The next day, Tina knew something wasn’t right. Reaching out to longtime friend and St. Luke’s orthopedic surgeon Dr. Patrick Brogle, she received advice that likely changed the course of her life: “get home as soon as you can.”
Despite the logistical challenges of international travel, Tina remained calm. “I was very calm, surprisingly,” she recalls. “I wasn’t in any pain. It’s just that I couldn’t stand or walk. I prayed and had faith that everything would work out, but I could tell that Mark was scared.”
That faith was rewarded when Tina arrived at St. Luke’s University Hospital - Bethlehem Campus, where care teams were prepared and waiting. An MRI revealed a dangerous spinal condition, and within hours Tina underwent emergency surgery performed by spinal neurosurgeon Dr. Justice Agyei. The operation stabilized her spine and prevented further neurological damage.
“When Tina arrived, it was clear she was facing a serious and rapidly evolving spinal condition,” Dr. Agyei says. “Our goal in neurosurgery is always to act decisively to protect a patient’s neurological function, and in her case, every minute mattered. The surgery stabilized her spine and halted further damage, but the true success of her recovery is a testament to her determination and the exceptional rehabilitation that followed.”
The surgery was only the beginning. Tina spent several days in the ICU and more than a month at St. Luke’s, much of it in the Acute Rehabilitation Center (ARC). There, she faced the hard, daily work of rebuilding strength and independence, beginning with learning to walk again.
“The therapists, nurses and aides all kept me motivated during that time, as well as my own determination. I was not going to just sit back and not do anything. You push yourself for your family, too,” she says.
Although their daughter Christa visited often, Mark documented Tina's progress through videos and shared them with her when she was unable to be there. Those videos were small milestones that carried enormous meaning for all.
By discharge, Tina was walking with a walker, then a cane. After months of outpatient neuro‑rehabilitation, she was able to walk the beach and swim in the pool. She continued improving.
“Rehabilitation is not just about restoring movement; it’s about restoring confidence, identity, and hope,” says Dr. Jason Davis, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist. “From the moment Tina arrived, she brought extraordinary resilience and positivity. Our team simply helped guide the hard work she was determined to do. Watching her return to the activities and people she loves is exactly why we do this work, and her generosity will help countless others on their own paths to recovery.”
In November, Tina and Mark were able to visit NYC for a few days. They had their annual Christmas Party with about 70 people, where Tina was able to play the piano for sing-along Christmas songs including the traditional "12 Days of Christmas."
In March they visited friends in Florida. In early May, she and Mark were able to take a 3-week family cruise, and while her foldable cane was in the luggage, it never came out! Today, Tina remains realistic but grateful. “I can’t complain, I’ve come so far. Having self-determination and a good sense of humor is extremely important.”
For Tina, gratitude goes hand in hand with action. Having volunteered for decades serving in the Gift Shop, leading the Auxiliary as president, chairing the Auxiliary fashion shows several years, serving on the Network Board of Trustees, and chairing and co-chairing the St. Luke’s Charity Ball numerous times, she and Mark felt compelled to give back once more. Following her recovery, Tina and Mark made a generous donation to The Neurosciences Endowment Fund in appreciation for the care, rehabilitation and compassionate mission that carried her through the most vulnerable moment of her life.
“When Mark and I were first talking, we wanted to make sure it went to the overall program for St. Luke’s Neurosciences, because that fits so deeply into the equation,” Tina says.
“ARC really helped her get back on her feet, literally, with their support and encouragement,” says Mark, who, like Tina, has had a lifelong relationship to St. Luke’s, dating back to both of their mothers having been involved in volunteer work, and both their families' names on various plaques in the St. Luke’s hospitals. “How it gets spent, we’ll leave that to the experts. We wanted to make sure the whole process Tina went through could benefit others, so it was important to us that ARC and the rehabilitation at 8th Ave. were included.”
“I was so happy to give back to my hospital,” Tina says. “It’s been my honor. I’ve done so much at the hospital as a volunteer, and I would trust any of the doctors, nurses and therapists again, and would recommend them to my friends.”
For Tina Connar, her gift is more than a donation; it is an expression of thanks, faith, and an enduring belief in the power of exceptional care to restore lives.
