In this story for UCSF Magazine, we go behind the scenes with University of California, San Francisco neurosurgeon Shawn Hervey-Jumper as he performs one of the most advanced and high-stakes procedures in cancer care: awake brain surgery. Patients are alert and engaged during parts of the operation to prevent severe brain damage. Hervey-Jumper is also a pioneering neuroscientist who studies the relationship between brain tumors and neurons. When writer Ariel Bleicher learned about the work of Dr. Hervey Jumper, she sensed it would make a great story for UCSF Magazine. We tell stories about how our scientists, clinicians, students, and faculty are transforming human health. This story would spotlight UCSF's excellence in the neurosciences, and it had the potential for a dramatic narrative with a very human core. Ariel also knew our audience--grateful-patient donors and alumni--is endlessly fascinated with brain science. The result is a powerful story that resonated with our audience and a wider audience online. In addition, a video accompanying the story received thousands of views on YouTube and LinkedIn, surpassing other videos we've created. Our partners at UCSF Health (UCSF's clinical enterprise) also found the story helpful for neurosurgery marketing purposes.
From the Judges
This article is a gripping read, thanks to its incredibly well-written narrative. The author skillfully shares the groundbreaking work of Dr. Shawn Hervey-Jumper in awake brain surgery, making the story feel vivid and immersive. The writing is so effective, it's like watching the surgery unfold in real-time. The author's mastery of language creates a captivating experience, making it a truly engaging read.
