Barry Meltz

Broward Health Neurosurgeon Helps Patient Reverse Debilitating Brain Condition

Barry Meltz, 75, of John Knox Village in Pompano Beach, called it fate when he had a chance encounter with Shaye Moskowitz, M.D., a Broward Health neurosurgeon who was making hospital rounds at Broward Health North.

Barry lived his life with determination and grace. A childhood survivor of polio, he carried some lingering weakness in his legs but never let it define him. For nearly 40 years, he traveled the world, stayed active, and enjoyed cooking, exercising and playing Mahjong, until everything changed in an instant.

“I was a mess,” Barry recalled. “My aide, Doreen, quickly realized I was losing my physical and cognitive abilities. I couldn’t move. I was in a wheelchair, and my mind wasn’t clear. I didn’t even know what was happening, so Doreen called 911.”

Barry was brought to Broward Health North, where his scans revealed a buildup of fluid in his brain. That caught the attention of Dr. Moskowitz.

Following further testing, Dr. Moskowitz diagnosed Barry with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a potentially reversible and often overlooked condition frequently mistaken for dementia or Parkinson’s disease. Hydrocephalus occurs when cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain’s ventricles and can’t drain properly. In older adults, NPH develops gradually and can mimic age-related cognitive or mobility changes, with symptoms such as balance problems, memory loss and urinary issues.

Public awareness of NPH made headlines when music icon Billy Joel shared his diagnosis and treatment earlier this year. He sought medical attention after noticing problems with balance and memory, which are classic signs of NPH. Like Barry, many people diagnosed with NPH regain clarity, mobility and independence once the condition is properly identified and treated.

Thanks to Dr. Moskowitz’s insight, medical expertise and quick diagnosis, Barry immediately received the treatment he needed.

“Once we confirmed the diagnosis, I recommended placing a small ventricular shunt to relieve the pressure and help the brain function more effectively,” said Dr. Moskowitz. “Barry’s quick recovery highlights how timely intervention can make a profound difference in a patient’s quality of life.”

The surgery was a success, and within days, Barry’s health began to turn around.

“Before surgery, three of us had to lift him just to move him,” said Doreen. “Afterward, he could sit up and start walking again. It was like seeing a new person.”

Although he still uses a walker for steadiness, partly due to lingering muscle weakness from childhood polio, Barry says he feels better than he has in years. “I now work out at the gym, I cook again and I’m back to playing Mahjong,” he said. “I’m living life again.”

Barry still marvels at how everything aligned that day. “I wasn’t even supposed to go to Broward Health North,” he said. “But I ended up there, and Dr. Moskowitz walked into my room. Whether it was fate or by chance, I feel like someone upstairs was looking out for me.”

For Dr. Moskowitz, stories like Barry’s reaffirm why he practices medicine. “Seeing a patient regain their independence and joy is the most rewarding part of what we do,” he said. “Barry’s recovery reminds us that aging doesn’t always mean decline. Sometimes it’s simply about finding the right diagnosis.”

Barry now makes it his mission to share his story. “I hand out Dr. Moskowitz’s business cards to anyone who will listen,” he said. “He gave me my life back, and I want to share it in the hope that someone else receives the same good fortune.”

To learn more about neurological services at Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org/Neuro.