Aug. 11, 2009

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Nineteen-year-old Amber Gray, a forward on the University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball team, went home from Drake Center today.

"We are very excited and encouraged with the great news that Amber will be going home from The Drake Center in Cincinnati today," said University of Tennessee Lady Vol Basketball Coach Pat Summitt. "Amber's strong will, positive attitude and determination, coupled with the excellent work of her medical team, has allowed for her release two-and-a-half weeks ahead of schedule.

"The Lady Vol basketball family continues to keep Amber in our constant thoughts and prayers. We know she will approach the next phase of her rehabilitation with the same strong will, determination and intensity."

Gray underwent elective surgery on July 2 at St. Mary's Medical Center in Knoxville to repair her rotator cuff. Post-surgery complications led to the discovery of an unrelated brain aneurysm that began to hemorrhage, causing a stroke. She was flown to University Hospital in Cincinnati where renowned neurosurgeon Mario Zuccarello, M.D., of the Mayfield Clinic and the University of Cincinnati Neuroscience Institute performed a 12 ½ hour surgical procedure to clip the aneurysm.

Gray was admitted to Drake Center on July 23 for rehabilitation to help build her strength, and improve walking and swallowing.

Gray, who is from Mason, Ohio, and was a high school All-American at Lakota West High School, said at the news conference that she expects to play again. "Of course I do," she told a reporter who asked if she planned to return to the court.

"This is an inspirational young woman who has done remarkably well at Drake Center. She's had a meteoric recovery," said Mark Goddard, M.D., medical director of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Drake, and professor and chair of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the University of Cincinnati. "She went home two weeks ahead of schedule," adding that her basketball training probably played a big role in her recovery. We have worked with her orthopedic team at the University of Tennessee and she has progressed with the rotator cuff surgery as well."

Her coach and teammates say her illness has brought them closer together; they consider her family.

Gray is from Mason, Ohio, and was a high school All-American from Lakota West High School. She played in 27 games as a freshman for the Lady Vols last season.

Drake Center is the leading provider of specialized medical and rehabilitative care in the region, offering a complete range of inpatient and outpatient care. Services include long-term acute care (medically complex care and rehabilitation), transitional skilled nursing, assisted living and various outpatient and wellness services. For more information, visit www.DrakeCenter.com or call 513-418-2500.