Meet Our Surgeon

Lt. Cmdr. Erin Graves, MD
U.S. Navy

What inspired you to pursue a career in healthcare? Share a personal story or a defining moment in your life that led you to this path.

I was 16 when I saw an ad soliciting volunteers for my local ambulance corps. I trained to become an EMT and was immediately hooked. I loved being able to help a diverse array of patients and be constantly learning and problem-solving. These patient interactions and the exposure to a variety of healthcare providers inspired me to want to learn more and eventually led to my decision to apply to medical school.
 

What is your area of expertise, and what do you enjoy most about your work?

I am a cerebrovascular neurosurgeon and specialize in the treatment of acute strokes, carotid stenosis, aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations and other cerebrovascular disease, particularly through endovascular approaches. I also maintain a broad general neurosurgery practice, treating tumors of the brain and spine as well as trauma and degenerative spine disease. The most rewarding part of my job is by far being able to restore function for my patients, whether that is seeing a patient recover from an acute stroke after a thrombectomy or relieving a patient of their pain after a minimally invasive nerve root decompression.
 

How do you ensure a positive patient experience in your care?

I have cared for patients in many different capacities over the course of the last 20 years and the importance of being a compassionate provider and communicating well with my patients and their families has always been paramount in my mind. Unfortunately, I have experienced what it is like to be a family member of a patient with both cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative conditions. This experience has taught me tremendously about how to best support my patients and their loved ones through what can be a very overwhelming or challenging experience.
 

Can you share a memorable moment or success story from your practice?

One memorable patient success story is of a young woman I treated with a ruptured aneurysm. When she arrived at the hospital, she was comatose and very close to dying. After undergoing decompressive surgery and treating her aneurysm, she remained in critical condition for weeks. Ultimately, however, she gradually recovered and today is able to walk, talk and enjoy life with her family.
 

What are your interests outside of work?

Outside of work, I am a mom to three wonderful little boys. I enjoy traveling with them and my husband as well as coaching and watching them play sports. In my free time I also enjoy running, competing in triathlons, reading and DIY projects.