Hospital: PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of El Paso
Diagnosis: Rehabilitation after traumatic brain injury due to 100-foot fall
A geologist by trade and an experienced hiker, Andrew “Andy” Roark, 36, was hiking alone on April 19, 2025 at Dog Canyon in Guadalupe Mountain National Park. While hiking, Mr. Roark fell an estimated 100 feet and sustained a skull fracture, multiple facial fractures, and other minor aliments. He was briefly unconscious but managed to call 911 when he came to, thinking he had only suffered a bloody nose, which he told the dispatcher from Tularosa Basin Regional Dispatch Authority. Six Search and Rescue Teams were activated at different points during the rescue. Mr. Roark was hard to find, and dispatchers told him to leave on his phone’s light to help rescuers spot him. Once they got to Mr. Roark, rescuers quickly noticed that his wounds were much more serious than a bloody nose. The 7-158th Aviation Regiment was one of only local agencies equipped to airlift Mr. Roark in the wind, snow, and rain, and as they were transporting him to University Medical Center in El Paso, he was still able to talk, a miraculous feat given his condition. He underwent multiple surgeries and faced other complications, but eventually, Mr. Roark improved enough to come to PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital of El Paso for an inpatient stay.
Mr. Roark had not walked very much while in the acute care hospital, and when he arrived at PAM Health, he was only able to walk from his bed to a nearby wall with assistance before getting dizzy and his blood pressure dropping. Other challenges included being unable to shower or transfer from his bed to his chair. Mr. Roark worked hard to rebuild his strength and functional abilities. He credited our PT staff for helping him build his muscle, coordination, mobility, and transfer skills, while OT helped him overcome the dizziness he was experiencing when standing up. Mr. Roark appreciated that all of his rehab needs were available under one roof here at PAM Health, from therapies in the gym to wound care and medication. By discharge, Mr. Roark could walk and care for himself independently again, and he had resume a regular diet, eager to enjoy some chocolate pie or cheesecake! Mr. Roark’s realization of how far he had come filled him – and us! — with pride, and he was thrilled he would be able to return directly home to Houston. His parents came all the way to El Paso from Birmingham, AL to be at his discharge, as did all of the teams involved in his rescue . Mr. Roark got to speak with each of them about their heroic actions on that fateful day in April. Although disaster brought us all together, we are honored to have been part of Mr. Roark’s story and wish him continued success as he works toward getting back out into the field for work!
