Kent Cullen
Living his life to the fullest – traveling, fishing, playing sports and overseeing a successful surgical practice – while also finding time to start the first Ostomy Club in Santa Barbara, CA, made Dr. Kent Cullen an ideal recipient for the 1991 Great Comebacks® Award.
Dr. Cullen was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 1968, a few years after he became a board certified colon and rectal surgeon, and underwent ileostomy surgery in 1983. He was instrumental in establishing the first enterostomal therapy department in Santa Barbara, and hired the first ostomy (ET) nurse in the history of Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Dr. Cullen credits dedicated medical and surgical care, the love and support of family and his own ostomy patients with carrying him through the dark times of his disease.
While he is presently retired, Dr. Cullen, 79, has not slowed down. He continues to provide patient consultations at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, where he serves on their Internal Review Board and surgical advisory committee. He also enjoys traveling, hitting the links, fishing (though not nearly as much as he’d like!) and, most of all, spending time with his wife of 55 years, Diana, four children and two grandchildren.
Blogs
2024-11-28
Date Night With An Ostomy
Date Night with an Ostomy
Are you feeling nervous at the thought of date night after ostomy surgery? With a little planning ahead, you can be sure to have a great night out.
Read more2024-04-24
Fashion Tips For Living With An Ostomy
Fashion Tips for Living with an Ostomy
Just because you’ve had ostomy surgery, your wardrobe can still reflect your personal style.
Read more2024-04-24
Swimming with an Ostomy
Swimming with an Ostomy
You can swim or be in the water while wearing your pouching system.
Read more2024-04-24
Managing Humidity
Managing Humidity and Extending Ostomy Pouch Wear Times
The me+ support team has put together some useful tips just for you to help optimize your pouch wear time.
Read more2024-04-24
Bathing with an Ostomy
Bathing and Showering
Showering and bathing with an ostomy should not interfere with your regular cleaning routine
Read more2023-10-19
me+ community
Randy Henniger 2011
When he was only 30 years old, recently married and the father of two boys, Randy Henniger was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer.
Read more2023-10-19
me+ community
Lisa Becker
From the tender age of 13, Lisa Becker has lived with Crohn’s disease. Today, just over 20 years later, she is turning her years of adversity into her career passion with a “fashionable” business that caters to helping fellow ostomates feel more confident in everyday life.
Read more2023-10-19
me+ community
Alexander Coe
Born in China, Alex Coe was left incontinent due to an imperforate anus that doctors tried to repair with a pull-through procedure. The procedure left Alex with complications that would not be resolved until the age of 10.
Read more2023-10-18
me+ community
Jearlean Taylor
At two years of age, Jearlean developed a rare form of cancer. Doctors feared she would not live to celebrate her third birthday. They performed a urostomy and colostomy on the toddler, and hoped for the best.
Read more2023-10-18
me+ community
Rob Hill
Today, Rob continues to break down barriers for people living with intestinal diseases, letting them know that "it's okay to talk about these conditions and not something to hide behind.
Read more