Community Health

Community Health

  • Health care access
    • GOVAX (English)
    • GOVAX (Español)
    • Good Health & Great Hair
  • Improving communities
    • Economic opportunity
    • Internships
  • Social impact
Menu
  • Health care access
    • GOVAX (English)
    • GOVAX (Español)
    • Good Health & Great Hair
  • Improving communities
    • Economic opportunity
    • Internships
  • Social impact
  • Health care access
    • GOVAX (English)
    • GOVAX (Español)
    • Good Health & Great Hair
  • Improving communities
    • Economic opportunity
    • Internships
  • Social impact
Menu
  • Health care access
    • GOVAX (English)
    • GOVAX (Español)
    • Good Health & Great Hair
  • Improving communities
    • Economic opportunity
    • Internships
  • Social impact

Even at 86 years old, Harold W. Croulet Jr., better known as “Hal,” does not intend to slow down anytime soon. Thanks to the efforts of Charles Tong, MD, head and neck surgery, Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, and our integrated care delivery model, he can continue working as a greeter at Disneyland.

Croulet initially saw Dr. Tong for skin lesions. During his examination, Dr. Tong noted a lump on the back of Croulet’s neck. Croulet shared that the lump had increased in size recently, and he was having difficulty extending his neck.

Surviving cancer

Although Croulet was there for a different issue, Dr. Tong urged him to pursue further workup. An MRI and needle biopsy revealed a mass that was concerning, so he agreed to have it removed. His neck mass was found to be cancerous, but it was confined to the back of the neck.  Fortunately, it was removed before it spread.

“Each day offers something memorable,” says Croulet. “I enjoy being active and am grateful that I can continue to do so, thanks to Dr. Tong and the care team that took care of me.”

A retired elementary school teacher with 17 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren, Croulet and his wife are now planning to take a cruise together after 50 years of marriage.

Medical excellence

“Our integrated care model was essential in Hal’s care,” said Dr. Tong. “I had direct access with other colleagues from head and neck surgery, radiology, pathology, and anesthesiology, to discuss his case, which expedited his care and possibly prevented the spread of his tumor.”

 Added Dr. Tong, “Hal is such an inspiration, to be doing what he’s able to do at his age and with such enthusiasm. Thankfully, we were able to provide the care he needed so that he can have many more years doing what he does best, making guests smile when they visit Disneyland.”

In the United States, head and neck cancer accounts for about 4% of all cancers, according to the National Cancer Institute. Learn the risk factors and symptoms.

Previous Next

Please activate some Widgets.

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • youtube
  • pinterest
  • instagram
  • Accessibility
  • Nondiscrimination Notice
  • Website Privacy
  • HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Rights & Responsibilities
  • Disaster Planning
  • Technical Information
  • Site Map
  • Contact Site Manager
Kaiser Permanente health plans around the country: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., in Northern and Southern California and Hawaii • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Nine Piedmont Center, 3495 Piedmont Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305, 404-364-7000 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc., in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., 2101 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, MD 20852 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Northwest, 500 NE Multnomah St., Suite 100, Portland, OR 97232 • Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington or Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington Options, Inc., 1300 SW 27th St., Renton, WA 98057

Selecting these links external site icon will take you away from kp.org. Kaiser Permanente is not responsible for the content or policies of external websites. Details

Adobe Acrobat is required to read PDFs.
© 2023 Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Inc.
Generated by Feedzy