Texas Coach Eric Sloan Finds New Life After Surgical Success

After enduring nearly a year of persistent health issues, Eric Sloan, the assistant principal and head football coach at Houston High School, has reclaimed his life thanks to a successful surgical intervention at Texas County Memorial Hospital (TCMH). Sloan faced ongoing complications from diverticulitis, which resulted in numerous hospital admissions and ineffective treatments throughout the year.

Sloan’s journey began in February, when he first sought medical help for his condition. Despite multiple rounds of antibiotics and referrals to larger medical facilities, his health continued to deteriorate. “I just kept getting sick and ending up back in the hospital,” he explained. “The abscess never went away, no matter how many rounds of antibiotics I went through.”

His situation took a turn for the better when Dr. Sherry Phippen, a general surgeon who joined TCMH in August 2023, became involved in his treatment. Sloan expressed profound gratitude for her dedicated approach, stating, “She has been a blessing to this community. From the moment she stepped in, she was determined to figure out what was wrong.”

Dr. Phippen’s commitment to her patients was evident from the outset. She employed a hands-on, patient-centered approach, making multiple daily visits to Sloan, reviewing imaging results, and maintaining open communication with his wife. “She came in four or five times a day some days with CT scans and updates,” Sloan recalled. “She explained everything, answered our questions, and never made us feel rushed. She genuinely cared.”

After months of unresolved complications, Dr. Phippen and her colleague, Dr. Bryan Eck, performed a laparoscopic colon resection at TCMH, removing approximately 12 inches of Sloan’s colon. This surgical intervention confirmed the severity of his condition and validated the need for a more aggressive treatment approach.

“For Eric, surgery became the safest and most appropriate option after every conservative treatment had been exhausted,” Dr. Phippen noted. “My goal was to make sure he fully understood the plan, felt confident in his care, and knew he wasn’t facing this alone.”

Sloan’s choice to undergo surgery at a local hospital rather than traveling to a larger medical center surprised many friends and family members. “People were shocked I was having this kind of surgery here in Houston,” he said. “But I trusted her completely. I would trust this lady with my life.”

This trust proved to be well-placed. Today, Sloan is recovering well and is thankful for the advanced surgical care he received close to home. Reflecting on his experience, he simply stated, “She gave me my life back. I would do anything for that woman.”

Dr. Phippen emphasized the importance of high-quality surgical care in rural communities, stating, “Being able to care for patients like Eric right here in Houston allows them to heal with the support of family, familiarity, and a team that knows them.”

Sloan’s experience underscores TCMH’s commitment to delivering compassionate care. As Bill Bridges, the chief executive officer of TCMH, remarked, “This is exactly why access to local surgical services matters. Stories like Eric’s show the impact of care that combines expertise, persistence, and heart.”

For more information, interested individuals can contact the TCMH outpatient surgery department at 417-967-1252.