Thank you so much for everything that you've done for us. Although we're very happy to be in South Carolina, we can't imagine that we could possibly find someone like Dana Russell here. You have been very sweet, helpful and comforting when we needed it.  We could never thank you enough and want you to know that you have been life saving with everything that we've been through.
Thank You!

Angela and Bobby Adams
Bluffton, SC

On June 6, Mr. James Calvin Gatton was taken to St. Mary's Hospital Emergency Care Center via ambulance for congestive heart failure. Upon his arrival that morning and throughout the day, Dr. James McQuiston and Nurse Eileen Davis provided excellent care. They were instrumental in contacting his doctor at Washington Hospital Center and making arrangements to have him transported via MedStar. They worked very well together as a team, constantly keeping each other informed on patient and transport status. In addition, they were extremely caring and compassionate to our family's needs. We thank them for their professionalism, dedication and compassion, and are very pleased to have them on staff at St. Mary's Hospital.

The Gatton Family
Leonardtown, MD

I was recently a patient in your hospital, having arrived at your Emergency Care Center (ECC) with a severely infected foot. Earlier in the day, I saw two other doctors, but neither was concerned about the increased swelling and red streaks running up to my ankle. However, after coming to your ECC, Dr. Pieter Esterhay took control of the situation and made several decisions that have put me on the road to recovery. The technician who drew my blood, the nurses who attended to me and the doctors who made my diagnosis were all extremely professional, friendly and showed real concern for my situation. In my opinion, it is a very professionally run operation!

I wanted you to know that the folks who have been attending to me have made my very first stay in a hospital more pleasant than I had expected. I believe your team should know that their hard work, dedication and spirit have made a very favorable impression on this patient.

Tim Smith
Former Executive Director
Patuxent River Naval Air Station

During my mother's admission to St. Mary's Hospital, she received excellent care and was pleased with her overall experience. I would like to commend one member of your staff in particular, Kofo Williams, RN. Nurse Williams was my mother's nurse for most of her stay in the Medical/Surgical/Pediatric unit on the second floor. She did a phenomenal job while caring for my mother! Not only was she available to answer our many, many questions, but her friendly persona and professional attitude made such a difference in my mother's care. St. Mary's Hospital should be proud of the splendid and caring manner in which Kofo Williams, RN conducts herself. I cannot overemphasize how happy and pleased my family and I were with her performance in the care of my mother.

Robert A. Gunter
Clarksburg, MD

My 12-year-old daughter Caitlin, had been sick for about one and a half weeks. Upon our arrival at the St. Mary's Emergency Care Center, everyone listened to her as she explained what was wrong. The doctor was very personable and looked her in the eye like an adult.He found where she was hurting the most, and ordered blood work to be done. Caitlin was under the care of your staff and has shown considerable improvement. Everyone involved, from the Triage Nurse, to the Emergency Care Center Doctor, the Pediatrician and the floor staff was great.

Bob Champman
Dameron, MD

On January 17, the Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad (LPVRS) conducted a training drill to ensure the best possible "turnover" when delivering patients to the St. Mary's Hospital Emergency Care Center. Dr. Michael Somers and Renese Wagy, RN attended this drill and provided extremely useful information to our emergency medical services (EMS) care providers. Dr. Somers and Nurse Wagy serve to nourish and preserve good working relations between SMH and field care providers, which is vital to the success of "full-cycle" patient care in our all-volunteer EMS system. Comments from Squad members have been overwhelmingly positive regarding their visit. On behalf of the officers and member of LPVRS, please express our sincere appreciation to both Dr. Somers and Nurse Wagy for their insight and support.

Eva Snyder (Chief) &
Kenneth Hicks (President)
Lexington Park Volunteer Rescue Squad Inc.

I would like to take a moment to tell you about the good experiences I have had with the Diagnostic Imaging Department at St. Mary's Hospital. Recently, I needed a second opinion for a condition that was discovered on my annual MRI. I traveled to the Washington Hospital Center's
Center for Image Guided Neurosurgery to see Dr. Edward Aulisi of the Washington Brain & Spine Institute. Dr. Aulisi commented that the MRI films we brought to him from SMH were of excellent quality and a pleasure to review. He stated that they do a great job in performing the imaging procedures at St. Mary's Hospital. Additionally, he confirmed my feelings that we are very fortunate to have this high-quality technology in the Diagnostic Imaging Department and the highly trained, professional staff performing these tests.; Many thanks to St. Mary's Hospital!

Susan B. Reynolds
Hollywood, MD

Spring 2006

My name is Vernell Winchester, and I am the daughter of the late Champion Jack Johnson, who was taken to St. Mary's Hospital on September 24. From the time the rescue squad entered our home, until the doctor pronounced the death of my father, we received the very best care and compassion by those attending to my father and our family.

Dr. James McQuiston, Dr. Rajbinder Gill and Dr. Enrique Samanez, skillfully attended to my father while he was in the Emergency Care Center. The nurses were also wonderful, as they checked on him and asked us if we needed anything. We really appreciate what we saw and felt, all of the kindness and gentleness they could do.

Please express our appreciation to each of these wonderful and compassionate individuals. Each one worked very hard to give my father dignity and peace, making him as comfortable as they could. Thank you for all you have done.

Vernell Winchester
Chaptico, MD

I just had to let you know how terrific my care was on a recent visit to your ECC. Everyone treated me so well and never left my side. I especially want to praise Dr. James McQuiston and College of Southern Maryland nursing student, Christina Butts. She is going to make a wonderful nurse! We are so fortunate and impressed with the changes and improvements at St. Mary's Hospital.

Massey Connelly
Leonardtown, MD

On October 25, we brought our eight month old son, Brayden in for treatment of croup. Being new parents, we were extremely nervous about both his condition and treatment. The St. Mary's ECC staff treated Brayden quickly and with compassion.
A big thank you to all those who kept our happy little boy smiling!

Bill and Sarah Diaz
Great Mills, MD

I just wanted to drop you a note to let you know that St. Mary's Hospital has the best ECC that I have been to. Additionally, please pass my compliments on to the nurses on the third floor of the hospital.Ya'll are the most wonderful nurses I've ever had. Thanks a lot!

Robert Ganoe
Mechanicsville, MD

On September 5, I was blessed with giving birth to a beautiful girl, Ella. I wanted to share with you what a spectacular job your staff did caring for me during this time.

I came in uncertain if I was in labor on September 4. The nurses took me to a birthing room, tested me and confirmed that I was indeed in labor. Although I had several nurses during my 18-hour delivery, each was superb in her duties and each had that special touch in caring for me. In the end, I had to have a cesarean section. To me, this was very scary. But again, your staff did a great job at caring and reassuring me that everything would be fine – and it was.

While I was recovering in a post-partum room, I was assigned Stephanie Nelson as my Nurse Technician for the duration of my stay. She performed her duties above and beyond. The first day of my recovery, Stephanie needed to help me get cleaned up and out of bed to walk. She had such a respective manner about her while helping me; she talked and visited with me and before I knew it, I was ready to go back to bed to visit with my baby girl.

The next day I had several visitors throughout the morning. Though I enjoyed seeing everyone, my baby and I were overwhelmed with the company. When Stephanie came to check on me, I mentioned this to her. She immediately told me not to worry and put a nice sign on my door and notified the front desk of my wishes. I was so appreciative of this because I know that I wouldn't have been able to turn anyone away myself.

During my stay, Stephanie not only took care of me, but was also cheerful and friendly, and I often felt as though she were another friend stopping by. It was so nice to see her smile each day as she came in to ask me what I needed.

Upon my discharge, she pushed my wheelchair down to the lobby, helped me into the car and even fastened the seat belt. When we drove off, we could still see her waving at the hospital front door. She really is a beautiful, caring and thoughtful person. SMH is truly lucky to have her as their employee.

Jennifer Muschlitz
Lusby, MD