Hagen enjoys swimming during the hot Texas summer.
Hagen and his dad work on his dirt bike.
Hagen's X-ray shows his post-surgery progress.
Hagen walks down the hall during recovery at Shriners Children's Texas.
Closer to Home: Hagen’s Follow-Up Care at the San Angelo Clinic
Meet Hagen.
For 16-year-old Hagen of San Angelo, Texas, staying active is a big part of who he is. He enjoys riding dirt bikes and spending time outdoors.
Like many teens, he doesn’t want to live life on the sidelines while his friends are having fun. That’s why his scoliosis diagnosis was so crucial. Correcting the curvature in his spine would give him the ability to do the activities he loves and live an unrestricted life.
Shriners Children’s Texas played a key role in making that possible, not only through surgery at the main hospital in Galveston, but also through continued care closer to home at its San Angelo outreach clinic. Located at Shannon Health Clinic, the San Angelo site is part of Shriners Children’s mission to expand access to pediatric orthopedic care across Texas, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
Hagen’s condition was first noticed by his parents at home while working in the garage, leading to a diagnosis and ultimately a referral to Shriners Children’s Texas. After recently undergoing spinal fusion surgery, his recovery has been steady and encouraging. Now about six weeks post-operation, he is experiencing less pain and is gradually becoming more active. And, as expected, he’s eager to return to full strength and activity as soon as possible.
The San Angelo clinic has made that recovery process significantly easier. By allowing Hagen to attend follow-up visits locally rather than traveling over 7 hours by car to Galveston, the local clinic has reduced both physical strain and logistical challenges for his family.
Just for the simple visits for him to come and get an X-ray, and then for a doctor to look over it, we wouldn't have to travel all the way to Galveston just to do that.
“Tremendously! It has helped out so much,” Hagen’s mother, Christy, said. “Just for the simple visits for him to come and get an X-ray, and then for a doctor to look over it, we wouldn't have to travel all the way to Galveston just to do that.”
For families in San Angelo and surrounding communities, the clinic serves as a vital resource. Providers from Shriners Children’s Texas travel to the area to provide consultations and follow-up care, ensuring continuity without the long commutes. This model reflects the Shriners Children’s goal of bringing care closer to patients where they live.
For Hagen, that accessibility has helped ease the challenges of recovery and keep him focused on the future, one where he can confidently return to the activities he enjoys most, stronger than before.
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