University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine faculty members whose published research manuscripts have had a lasting impact on science and medicine will be honored at the college’s Wall of Scholarship dedication April 29.
Even he can t chart all of his surgeries. I ve been through so much it was hard keeping track of it all, the Burlington resident said.
Since he was 7 years old, Hilzer has been operated on 133 times. He s had a heart attack. He once spent a week on life support.
In 2015, Hilzer was diagnosed with an extremely rare blood disease only three people in the world have it so far, he said, and it has yet to be named which causes infections and loss of limbs. He s had two amputations.
But that hasn t prevented him from taking up the drums again. It s Hilzer s way of getting his life back in rhythm. At age 54, he wants to be an inspiration to anyone who has suffered.